New York Attorney General Letitia James
State Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | State Elected - Attorney General
Recent News About New York Attorney General Letitia James
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Coalition sues TikTok over claims harming children's mental health
New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have initiated legal action against TikTok, accusing the social media platform of misleading users about its safety and contributing to mental health issues among young people. The lawsuit is part of a broader effort by a coalition of 14 attorneys general from various states, each filing separate lawsuits that allege TikTok violated state laws by falsely claiming its platform is safe for minors. -
New York AG moves against Monroe County nonprofit over fund misuse
New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a petition to dissolve the Community Resource Collaborative (CRC), a nonprofit organization based in Monroe County. The CRC is accused of misusing government funds intended for local organizations that provide essential services in the Rochester area. The organization, founded by Tina Paradiso in 2021, was meant to distribute federal funds to 12 local nonprofits under the Neighborhood Collaborative Project. -
Supreme Court declines Martin Shkreli's appeal; lifetime pharma ban upheld
New York Attorney General Letitia James has responded to the United States Supreme Court's decision not to hear an appeal from Martin Shkreli. This decision leaves in place a lower court ruling that bans Shkreli for life from the pharmaceutical industry and orders him to pay $64.6 million in disgorgement. -
Report clears officers in Todd Novick's death after investigation
New York Attorney General Letitia James' Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released a report concerning the death of Todd Novick. The incident occurred on December 24, 2023, during an encounter with Rochester Police Department officers in Rochester. -
Over 1,000 acres returned to Onondaga Nation as part of environmental settlement
New York Attorney General Letitia James, Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams, and Onondaga Nation Tadodaho Sidney Hill have announced the transfer of over 1,000 acres in Tully Valley to the Onondaga Nation. This significant land return is part of a settlement with Honeywell International under the Onondaga Lake Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) program. -
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. -
Attorney general announces major drug bust in New York Capital Region
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the dismantling of a significant cocaine trafficking operation in the Capital Region. The operation was responsible for distributing large amounts of powder and crack cocaine, as well as fentanyl and heroin. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) resulted in charges against 21 individuals for 222 crimes related to their involvement in this network, which sourced narcotics from New York City and distributed them across Rensselaer, Albany, Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties. Authorities recovered... -
Attorney General secures over $4.6M for small businesses from leasing scheme
New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced that her office has secured over $4.6 million in restitution for small businesses affected by predatory schemes conducted by Northern Leasing affiliates, NLS Equipment Finance LLC (NLS EF) and Leasing Expenses Company, LLC (LEC). These companies rented credit card processing equipment to small businesses and were found to have engaged in illegal practices. -
Health agencies settle $17M fraud case involving wage parity violations
New York Attorney General Letitia James and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace have announced settlements with two Brooklyn-based home care services agencies, NAE Edison d/b/a Edison Home Health Care of New York, LLC and Assistcare Home Health Services, LLC d/b/a Preferred Home Healthcare of New York, LLC. The agreements address allegations that these agencies defrauded Medicaid and underpaid more than 25,000 employees. -
Joseph Makhani's motion dismissed; AG James continues pursuit on Harlem deed theft case
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the New York County Supreme Court has denied Joseph Makhani’s motion to dismiss the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) case against him for deed theft. Makhani was indicted in July 2023 for allegedly using forged and falsified documents to steal two Harlem homes valued at over $4.7 million. -
Attorney General’s Office opens investigation into civilian death involving Nassau County Police
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has initiated an investigation into the death of Jeremy Bennett. Mr. Bennett died on September 21, 2024, following an encounter with officers from the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) in Massapequa on September 20, 2024. -
Coalition supports ATF's new rule requiring licenses for private gun sellers
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell have co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in support of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) rule aimed at preventing illegal gun trafficking. The rule requires private gun sellers to obtain a license and conduct background checks on potential buyers. This coalition filed an amicus brief in Texas v. ATF, arguing that the rule is essential for public safety and preventing dangerous individuals from obtaining guns illegally. -
68M fund completes restoration projects in Brooklyn's Greenpoint
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced the completion of the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund (GCEF). The program, which invested over $68.6 million in environmental initiatives for Greenpoint, Brooklyn, was established with funds from New York state’s 2010 settlement with ExxonMobil. This settlement addressed the company's responsibility for a massive oil spill that contaminated land and groundwater in Greenpoint. -
Attorney General James releases report on death of Azer Ben Zitun
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released its report on the death of Azer Ben Zitun. Mr. Ben Zitun died on August 5, 2023, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on August 4, 2023. The investigation included a review of body-worn camera footage, interviews with involved officers, and comprehensive legal analysis. -
Report concludes no charges warranted in death of Daniel Legler
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released its report on the death of Daniel Legler, who died on August 6, 2023, following an encounter with a New York State Police (NYSP) trooper in Monroe County. The investigation included a review of body-worn camera footage, interviews with the involved trooper and a witness, and comprehensive legal analysis. OSI concluded that it would not be possible to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the trooper’s actions were justified under New York law. -
Attorney General James announces scholarship honoring late journalist Ruschell Boone
New York Attorney General Letitia James and the City University of New York (CUNY) Board of Trustees Chairperson William C. Thompson, Jr. announced the establishment of the Ruschell Boone Scholarship. This memorial fund honors the late award-winning journalist and supports West Indian students pursuing journalism degrees at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY or Baruch College. -
Attorney General announces successful gun buyback events in Saranac Lake and Amsterdam
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 82 firearms were turned in at a community gun buyback event in Saranac Lake. The event, hosted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Saranac Lake Police Department, is part of an ongoing effort to combat gun violence and enhance public safety. Additionally, an extra 180 firearms were collected from a similar event in Amsterdam, totaling 262 guns secured on the day. Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General James has removed over 7,662 guns from New York state. -
Attorney General announces collection results at recent community gun buybacks
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that 180 firearms were turned in at a community gun buyback event in Amsterdam. The event was hosted by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Amsterdam Police Department as part of an ongoing effort to combat gun violence. In addition to the guns collected in Amsterdam, an additional 82 firearms were secured from a similar event in Saranac Lake, bringing the total number of guns collected on this day to 262. Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General James has removed more than 7,662 guns from New York communities. -
Attorney General recovers $750K in stolen wages for cell phone company workers
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the recovery of $750,000 in stolen wages for employees of Best Wireless, a retail cell phone company. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Best Wireless engaged in multiple labor violations, including illegal wage deductions and failure to pay overtime. These practices affected approximately 450 employees across New York City, Long Island, and Rockland County. -
Attorney General James leads call for Congress to address gun trafficking into Caribbean
New York Attorney General Letitia James has led a coalition of 12 attorneys general urging Congress to take action against gun trafficking from the United States to Caribbean countries. The coalition's letter highlights the impact of U.S.-origin firearms on gun violence in the Caribbean, affecting many Americans with family ties in the region. They propose several measures, including ensuring adequate resources for port inspectors and passing the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act.