Legal News Line News
Authorities arrest 42 linked to California white supremacist gang amid racketeering charges
Federal and local law enforcement officials have arrested 42 individuals connected to the SFV Peckerwoods, a white supremacist street gang based in San Fernando Valley, California. The arrests stem from a 76-count federal grand jury indictment that accuses them of engaging in a range of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, firearms possession, and fraud related to COVID-19 benefits.
Former Greene County DA faces conspiracy charges alongside ex-chief detective
Charges have been filed against former Greene County District Attorney David Russo and former Chief Detective Zachary Sams, as announced by Attorney General Michelle Henry. The charges come after a presentment from the 51st Statewide Investigating Grand Jury.
Attorney General urges Californians to claim gas price manipulation settlement
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has urged residents who purchased gasoline in Southern California between February 20, 2015, and November 10, 2015, to submit claims for payments under a state settlement. The settlement involves gas trading firms accused of manipulating prices for California gasoline. Eligible individuals can file their claims online at www.CalGasLitigation.com.
Justice Department allocates $4 billion for public safety initiatives
The Justice Department has announced a significant financial commitment to enhance public safety and community justice efforts across the United States. A total of $4 billion in grants will be distributed by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to support various initiatives aimed at reducing violence, assisting crime victims, and improving outcomes for individuals involved in criminal and juvenile justice systems.
Justice Department addresses unconstitutional conditions in New Jersey veterans homes
The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey have taken legal action against the State of New Jersey, filing a complaint concerning conditions at state-run veterans homes. A proposed consent decree has been filed to address findings of unconstitutional conditions at the New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes located in Menlo Park and Paramus.
Office of Information Policy announces upcoming FOIA reporting deadlines
The Office of Information Policy (OIP) has announced the deadlines for the submission of agencies' Fiscal Year 2024 Annual FOIA Reports, Fiscal Year 2025 Quarterly FOIA Reports, and 2025 Chief FOIA Officer Reports. These reports are essential in showcasing the progress made by agencies in administering the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Texas AG requests voter data from Secretary of State amid concerns over noncitizen voting
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has formally requested voter registration records from Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson. The request seeks information on registered voters who do not have a State of Texas-issued driver's license or identification card number. This effort aims to prevent noncitizen voting and investigate potential voter fraud.
Nigerian-British national sentenced for multimillion-dollar business email compromise schemes
A dual citizen of Nigeria and the United Kingdom was sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar business email compromise (BEC) scheme. The individual, Oludayo Kolawole John Adeagbo, 45, conspired with others to steal more than $3 million from various entities in Texas and over $1.9 million from a university in North Carolina.
Justice Department announces improved language access in Colorado courts
The Justice Department announced that the Colorado Judiciary has taken steps to improve language access for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP) in the state court system.
Justice Department settles discrimination claims with Maryland State Police over hiring practices
The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a settlement with the Maryland Department of State Police (MDSP) over allegations that its hiring practices for state troopers violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. The claims centered on the use of a written test, which allegedly discriminates against Black candidates, and a physical fitness test, which allegedly discriminates against female candidates. A federal judge must still approve the agreement.
Adrienne Waters Ogle becomes first woman circuit court judge in fourth judicial district
Judge Adrienne Waters Ogle has been appointed as the first female circuit court judge in Tennessee's fourth judicial district. Governor Bill Lee's appointment of Judge Ogle marks a significant milestone for the district, which includes Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier counties.
California Supreme Court schedules outreach session in Fresno for October
The California Supreme Court is set to hold a special oral argument session on October 9 in Fresno. This marks the court's second outreach session under Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the first time since 2010 that it will hear arguments in Fresno. The event aims to engage students from various educational institutions, including high schools, an elementary school, and a law school.
Debt fairness act brings new protections for Minnesotans
As of October 1, significant provisions of the Minnesota Debt Fairness Act have come into effect. These new regulations aim to protect Minnesotans from certain practices related to medical debt. Under the new law, medical debt cannot be automatically transferred to a spouse, used as a reason to deny medically necessary care, or reported to credit agencies.
Charges filed in Nebraska petition fraud case
New criminal charges have been filed in Hall County as part of an ongoing investigation into fraudulent signatures on petitions related to Nebraska's medical cannabis initiatives. Hall County Attorney Marty Klein and Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced the charges against Jacy Todd, a notary public from York. Todd faces 24 counts of official misconduct for allegedly notarizing petition pages without the presence of circulators, which violates Nebraska law.
Attorney General Bonta sues AHMC over healthcare service closures
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against AHMC Seton Medical Center, LLC (AHMC) for not adhering to conditions set by the Attorney General. These conditions required AHMC to maintain specific healthcare services at Seton Medical Center and Seton Coastside. The lawsuit, lodged in San Mateo County, claims that AHMC breached the July 27, 2020 conditions by completely closing Seton Coastside. The legal action seeks specific performance and civil penalties, as well as injunctive relief aimed at reopening Seton Coastside facilities and restoring services.
Minnesota attorney general sues property developer over alleged fraud
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has initiated legal action against Nolosha Development, LLC, a property development company in Minnesota. The lawsuit, filed in Hennepin County, accuses the company of misleading Somali families by misrepresenting critical sale details to secure $25,000 down payments for homes.
Real estate scammers arrested for alleged deed thefts and fake investment schemes
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark have announced the arrests and indictments of three individuals and their company in connection with a deed theft scheme and real estate investment scams. The accused include Marcia Campbell, a Bronx real estate broker who operated Extreme Realty, her husband Fred Campbell, their associate Frank Palmer, and their shell company, 99 Patmor Ave Inc. They face charges related to the theft of a house in the Bronx and scams that defrauded over $250,000 from vulnerable New Yorkers.
Ohio DOT settles for $210K with woman injured in highway salt spill
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has agreed to a $210,000 settlement with Rebecca Cmar, who was injured when her car struck a large pile of salt on a highway in Medina County. The Ohio Court of Claims approved the settlement after Cmar and her husband sought compensation for the January 2020 incident.
Biden administration's healthcare expansion for Dreamers faces legal challenge
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general to support a Biden Administration rule aimed at expanding healthcare access for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, also known as Dreamers. This rule will allow Dreamers to participate in the Affordable Care Act’s insurance marketplace, providing them with subsidized health coverage through California's healthcare exchange, Covered California. The UC Berkeley Labor Center estimates that approximately 40,000 uninsured Dreamers in California could benefit from this change.
Iowa Supreme Court hears pivotal land rights case in historic courtroom
The Iowa Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on October 8 in the Historic Supreme Court Courtroom at the Iowa State Capitol, located at 1007 E. Grand Avenue, Des Moines. The session will commence at 7 p.m., and the public is welcome to attend.