Attorney General Josh Kaul
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | State Elected - Attorney General
Recent News About Attorney General Josh Kaul
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UPDATE: Officer Involved Death Investigation in Janesville, Wis.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently looking into an officer-involved death incident that took place in Janesville, Wisconsin on the evening of March 1, 2024.According to the report, the Janesville Police Department responded to a 911 call concerning an armed individual in the 1200 block of N. Parker Street. Officers encountered Andrew Zigler, 52 years old, who refused to exit the residence. Sergeant Jimmy Holford III, a veteran with over 16 years of law enforcement experience, discharged his weapon at Zigler,... -
Attorney General Kaul Sues Apple for Monopolizing Smartphone Markets
Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and 15 other states and district attorneys general, has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolization or attempted monopolization of smartphone markets. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, alleges that Apple maintains a monopoly over smartphones by imposing contractual restrictions on developers and withholding critical access points.In a statement, Attorney General Josh Kaul emphasized, “Wisconsin consumers shouldn’t have to pay inflated... -
Investigation Underway for Manitowoc County Officer Involved Incident
MISHICOT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently looking into an officer-involved incident that took place in Mishicot, Wis. on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.According to the report, officers from the Mishicot Police Department responded to a domestic dispute on South Main Street, where they encountered a subject who approached them aggressively despite verbal commands. The officers used non-lethal means to try to control the individual, who then required life-saving measures and was subsequently taken to a local... -
Officer Involved Death in Rock County, Wis.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently investigating an officer-involved death in Beloit, Wis., that occurred on Saturday, March 16, 2024.According to the report, during a vehicle pursuit involving an alleged carjacking suspect, the subject rammed their vehicle into a Roscoe police officer’s squad car, prompting the officer to fire their weapon and strike the suspect. Despite life-saving measures, the subject was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital."A Roscoe police officer fired their weapon striking the... -
Officer Involved Critical Incident in Green Bay, Wis: Investigation Underway
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently looking into an officer involved critical incident (OICI) that took place in Green Bay, Wis. on February 23, 2024.According to the report, during the incident, "Steve Evaristo Ventura, age 40, fired his weapon. Ventura and Officer Skenandore then exchanged gunfire." Unfortunately, Ventura sustained injuries and despite receiving medical attention, he later passed away. The cause of Ventura's injuries is still being investigated.Fortunately, "No law enforcement officers were... -
AG Kaul Announces $2.5 Million Judgment Against Timeshare Exit Company and Refunds For Wisconsin Consumers
Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a significant judgment against Missouri-based timeshare exit company Relief Solutions International, requiring them to pay more than $2.5 million in penalties and refund all Wisconsin customers. Kaul expressed, "This judgment provides relief for Wisconsin consumers and holds the owners of this timeshare exit company accountable. Thank you to those at DOJ and DATCP whose stellar work led to this result."Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Secretary Randy Romanski added, "I am pleased that Relief... -
Attorney General Kaul Applauds Passage of the Office of School Safety Extended Funding Bill
Attorney General Josh Kaul expressed his appreciation for the bipartisan effort that led to the passage of the bill extending funding for the Office of School Safety (OSS) in Wisconsin. The bill, which ensures the continued operation of OSS through the next state budget and the entirety of the 2024-25 school year, received overwhelming support in both the Senate and the Assembly.“Our Office of School Safety is making a difference in an area of paramount importance: the safety of our kids. That office works to proactively prevent violence in schools and trains educators,... -
Attorney General Kaul Joins FTC in Taking Action Against Allegedly Fraudulent Charity for Deceiving Donors
Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with the Federal Trade Commission and nine other states, have filed a complaint against the Cancer Recovery Foundation International, also known as Women’s Cancer Fund, and its operator, Gregory B. Anderson, for deceiving donors who sought to offer financial support to women battling cancer and their families."Those who solicit charitable donations must use the money they raise appropriately," stated Attorney General Josh Kaul regarding the deceptive practices of Women’s Cancer Fund in misusing donations intended to support cancer... -
Second Man Sentenced for Murder of Dodgeville, Wis. Woman
The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced that Philip G. Schmidt-Way, 29, of Loveland, Colo., was sentenced to life with the ability to petition for extended supervision after 20 years for the murder of his grandmother in Dodgeville, Wis. on July 19, 2021.In his proceeding, the sentencing court described Aric Way as the mastermind, as stated by Attorney General Josh Kaul, "With this sentencing, we now know that both of the defendants involved in this extensively planned and despicable homicide will be behind bars for a long time."The victim was found deceased in her... -
Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigation in Janesville, Wis.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer involved critical incident (OICI) in Janesville, Wis. that occurred on the evening of Friday, March 1, 2024.According to the report, the Janesville Police Department responded to a 911 call concerning an armed subject in the 1200 block of N. Parker Street in the City of Janesville. Upon arrival, officers encountered the armed subject who refused to exit the residence, with two other subjects also unable to safely leave. An officer discharged their weapon,... -
Attorney General Josh Kaul Comments on Supreme Court Decision on Congressional Maps
Attorney General Josh Kaul expressed his thoughts on the recent decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court regarding the state's Congressional maps. The court, in the case of Johnson v. WEC, chose not to reconsider the maps ahead of the 2024 elections.In a statement, Attorney General Kaul emphasized the importance of fair representation for Wisconsin voters, stating, “Wisconsin voters deserve to have fair congressional maps.” Despite the disappointment of not having new congressional maps before the upcoming elections, Kaul pointed out the significance of the recent... -
Attorney General Kaul Petitions Wisconsin Supreme Court to Take Abortion Case
Attorney General Josh Kaul has petitioned the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take jurisdiction of the case in which the Dane County Circuit Court ruled that Wis. Stat. § 940.04 does not criminalize abortion. The petition, filed on Feb 27, 2024, seeks to bypass the Court of Appeals in order to provide Wisconsinites with a final ruling on the enforceability of the statute.Kaul stated, “This case is about protecting Wisconsinites’ freedom. The sooner we can obtain certainty about the state of Wisconsin law, the better.” He further added, “In addition to continuing to argue that... -
Jury Finds Minnesota Man Guilty of 2005 Madison Bike Path Sexual Assault
Aidison Yang, 42 of Eagan, Minnesota, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of First Degree Sexual Assault by Use or Threat of Use of a Dangerous Weapon in connection with a 2005 sexual assault on a Madison bike path. Attorney General Kaul expressed, “Justice is finally being served for the violent crimes the defendant committed in 2005.” Madison Police Detective Kelly Dougherty added, “After all these years we are finally able to hold Aidison Yang accountable for this horrible crime.”The evidence presented at trial established that Mr. Yang sexually assaulted the... -
Attorney General Kaul Urges Congressional Action on Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform
Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general, is urging the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to reform the practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Kaul emphasized the importance of holding down prescription drug prices and increasing transparency in pricing, stating, “The cost that Wisconsinites pay for prescription drugs shouldn’t increase because of pharmacy benefit managers.”The coalition highlights three crucial bills for reform within the PBM industry: the DRUG Act (S1542/HR6283), Protecting Patients Against PBM... -
Attorney General Kaul and 15 Other AGs Defend Clean Air Act Regulations
Attorney General Kaul, along with 15 other attorneys general, has intervened in State of West Virginia, et al. v. EPA to defend federal regulations governing state plans to limit air pollution from existing power plants. Attorney General Kaul emphasized the importance of the regulations, stating, “The changes that the states challenging these regulations are seeking would weaken efforts to limit air pollution. We must not take a step backward in protecting clean air and combating the climate crisis.”The litigation, initially brought by West Virginia and other states, aims... -
Officer-Involved Critical Incident in Winnebago County, Wisconsin Under Investigation
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer-involved critical incident in Winnebago County, Wis., that occurred on the evening of February 2, 2024.According to the report, Sergeant Bryce LaLuzerne of the North Fond du Lac Police Department initiated a traffic stop in the Village of North Fond du Lac that led to a pursuit. The vehicle was eventually stopped after a Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputy deployed a tire deflation device on Interstate 41. The driver, identified as Lawrence M. Drennan, exited the... -
Attorney General Kaul Urges FDA to Protect Children from Toxic Metals in Baby Food
Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with a coalition of 20 attorneys general, is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action to safeguard babies and young children across the nation from lead and other toxic metals in baby food. The call for action comes in response to nearly 400 recent lead poisoning cases linked to recalled cinnamon applesauce pouches, underscoring the urgent need for stricter protections."We must have clear standards to protect babies and children from ingesting toxic heavy metals in their food," Attorney General Kaul... -
Officer Involved Critical Incident in Lafayette County, Wis.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently investigating an officer involved critical incident (OICI) that took place in the City of Shullsburg, Wis. on the early morning of Monday, February 12, 2024.According to reports, the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:06 a.m. regarding a subject acting erratically on West Water Street near North Iowa Street in Shullsburg. Two Lafayette County Sheriff's deputies and one Darlington police officer promptly arrived at the scene.Law... -
Officer Involved Critical Incident in Town of Crescent, Wis.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently investigating an officer involved critical incident (OICI) that took place in the Town of Crescent, Wis. on the evening of Saturday, January 20, 2024. The incident began when the Oneida County Sheriff's Office received two hang-up 911 calls, prompting a welfare check at a residence on River Street. Three Oneida County Sheriff's deputies and two Rhinelander police officers responded to the call. The law enforcement personnel involved were identified as:- Sergeant Thomas... -
AG Kaul Leads Bipartisan Group of 42 AGs Urging Congress to Stabilize Funding to Support Victims of Crime
Attorney General Josh Kaul is leading a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in urging Congress to provide much-needed funding for the federal Crime Victims Fund (VOCA Fund). The fund, which supports essential direct services for crime victims and survivors across the country, is projected to face a $700 million shortfall in fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous year."Victim service programs are an essential part of an effective criminal justice system. They ensure that support is available for crime victims, and their work helps to hold offenders...