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Michigan AG supports bills enhancing consumer protections against data breaches and price gouging
Today, representatives from the Michigan Department of Attorney General testified before the Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection. The testimony focused on supporting legislative measures aimed at enhancing consumer protections against data breaches and price gouging. Jason Evans, Chief of the Corporate Oversight Division, and Assistant Attorney General Kathy Fitzgerald spoke in favor of two legislative packages. These packages include Senate Bills 888-892 and Senate Bills 954-956.
Marriott settles over Starwood data breach; agrees to pay $52 million
Attorney General Charity Clark announced a settlement with Marriott International, Inc. regarding a data breach involving the Starwood guest reservation database. The settlement, part of a larger $52 million agreement reached by 50 attorneys general, includes provisions for enhanced data security measures and consumer protections. Vermont will receive $590,292.25 from this settlement.
Columbia man arrested for alleged sexual exploitation attempts involving minors
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Jerry Wayne Williams, a 67-year-old resident of Columbia, South Carolina. Williams faces seven charges related to the attempted sexual exploitation of a minor. The arrest was carried out by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Mount Pleasant Police Department. Investigators from the U.S. Marshals Service, also part of the state's ICAC task force, assisted in the investigation.
Attorneys general urge court action against TikTok over evidence non-compliance
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, alongside a coalition of 22 attorneys general, has urged a Tennessee court to enforce its orders requiring TikTok to comply with an ongoing multistate consumer protection investigation. The investigation aims to determine whether TikTok is violating state consumer protection laws, potentially impacting the mental health of children and teens.
State attorneys general push for court enforcement against TikTok
Attorney General Phil Weiser has led a coalition of 22 state attorneys general in urging a Tennessee court to enforce its orders requiring TikTok to comply with an ongoing multistate consumer protection investigation. The investigation, which began in 2022, aims to determine if TikTok is violating state consumer protection laws related to the mental health crisis among children and teens.
Marriott reaches $52M settlement over Starwood data breach affecting millions
Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement with Marriott International, Inc. involving a data breach of the Starwood guest reservation database. The breach, which spanned four years, exposed 131.5 million guest records including sensitive information such as passport numbers and payment card details. The settlement involves Marriott paying $52 million nationally, with Minnesota receiving $814,847.
Marriott settles $52M over data breach impacting millions
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, alongside 49 other attorneys general, has finalized a $52 million settlement with Marriott International Inc. This agreement concludes an investigation into a prolonged data breach involving the guest-reservation system acquired by Marriott.
Michigan man indicted for multimillion-dollar penny-stock scam involving Minerco Inc
A Michigan man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for allegedly defrauding investors in Minerco Inc., resulting in millions of dollars in losses. The indictment charges Bobby Shumake Japhia, also known as Robert Samuel Shumake Jr., Robert Japhia, and Shaman Bobby Shu, with securities fraud and obstruction.
Attorney General Tim Griffin announces promotions within his office
Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced two key promotions within his office. Justin Brascher has been elevated to the role of Senior Assistant Attorney General for Intergovernmental Affairs. Brascher, who joined the Office of the Attorney General in January 2023, previously served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Litigation Division, Special Litigation Section. In this capacity, he defended Arkansas in various lawsuits. Griffin noted that Brascher's experience and policy knowledge make him a valuable addition to the Intergovernmental Affairs team, where he...
Ohio Supreme Court upholds legality of traffic stop leading to gun discovery
The Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled that a traffic stop, which led to the discovery of an unloaded firearm, was constitutional. The decision came after a Geauga County police officer asked a driver for his license upon realizing the vehicle owner with a suspended license was not driving.
America First Legal sues US agencies over alleged global censorship involvement
America First Legal (AFL) has initiated legal proceedings against the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. AFL is seeking records related to alleged U.S. government involvement in global censorship efforts, particularly focusing on events involving Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France and social media censorship actions in Brazil.
Hilgers joins multistate lawsuit against new CMS nursing home regulation
Attorney General Mike Hilgers has aligned with a coalition of 20 states to challenge a new rule proposed by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) under the Biden-Harris Administration. The lawsuit, led by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, argues that the CMS rule could financially burden states and potentially force nursing homes out of business.
Tennessee Supreme Court denies attorney fees after voluntary case dismissal
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ruled that attorney's fees under the Tennessee Public Participation Act (TPPA) cannot be recovered if a plaintiff voluntarily dismisses their case. The TPPA is an anti-SLAPP statute designed to protect individuals from lawsuits intended to suppress free speech by imposing expensive legal proceedings.
South Dakota commission discusses indigent legal services and future plans
The South Dakota Commission on Indigent Legal Services is set to hold a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 11 a.m. CDT. This commission is responsible for overseeing indigent legal services in the state's court system, ensuring that individuals have access to counsel under state or federal law. Additionally, it supervises the Office of Indigent Legal Services to provide statewide representation for indigent individuals in criminal appeals, habeas corpus cases, and cases involving abuse or neglect of children.
Marriott settles for $52 million over data breach affecting guest reservations
Attorney General Todd Rokita has announced a $52 million settlement with Marriott International Inc. This agreement comes after a multi-year investigation by a coalition of 50 attorneys general into a significant data breach that affected the hotel chain's guest reservation database.
Marriott settles $52M multistate case over major data breach
Attorney General Josh Stein has announced a $52 million settlement involving Marriott over a data breach that affected millions of guests. The breach, which occurred between July 2014 and September 2018, compromised the records of approximately 131.5 million customers in the United States. The leaked information included contact details, dates of birth, reservation data, and some unencrypted passport numbers and payment card information.
Health care fraud settlement returns $625K to state and federal programs
Attorney General Josh Stein has announced a settlement of $625,000 with Dr. Eric Troyer and his medical practice, Troyer Medical Inc, P.C., based in Landis. The settlement addresses allegations of a laboratory kickback scheme. The funds will be distributed to state and federal health care programs, with $429,254 going to the federal government and $195,746 to North Carolina.
North Carolina passes disaster recovery act after Hurricane Helene
Attorney General Josh Stein has expressed gratitude to the North Carolina General Assembly following the unanimous passage of the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024, also known as HB149. The legislation aims to provide initial funding for relief and recovery efforts in western North Carolina.
California DOJ releases findings on officer-involved shooting of Ruben Ramos
The California Department of Justice has released a report concerning the officer-involved shooting of Ruben Ramos in Burbank, California, on May 27, 2023. The incident involved officers from the Burbank Police Department and resulted in the death of Mr. Ramos. The report is part of ongoing efforts by the DOJ to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices.
Attorneys general reach $52M settlement with Marriott over Starwood data breach
Attorney General Alan Wilson announced a settlement involving Marriott International, Inc. following an investigation into a significant data breach of the Starwood guest reservation database. A coalition of 50 attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission coordinated closely on this case, leading to parallel settlements. Marriott will pay $52 million to states and enhance its data security practices. South Carolina is set to receive $767,458 from this settlement.