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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Report finds police action justified in fatal shooting of Raul Hardy
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released its report on the death of Raul Hardy, who died on July 9, 2022, after an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens. Following a thorough investigation, which included a review of body-worn camera footage, interviews with involved officers, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ actions against Mr. Hardy were justified under New York law. -
Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Civilian Death in Ontario County
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of a minor, C.W., who died on November 15, 2023 after an encounter with a member of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Ontario County. -
Attorney General warns New Yorkers about AI-manipulated video investment scams
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an investor alert today, warning New Yorkers about scams involving fake videos created with artificial intelligence (AI). These AI-manipulated videos, known as deepfakes, feature celebrities and business leaders promoting fraudulent investment schemes. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has received complaints from New Yorkers about these scams and is urging residents to follow protective measures and report misleading content to law enforcement and social media platforms. -
Former NYPD officer sentenced for manslaughter and attempted murder
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencing of former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Officer Yvonne Wu, 34, of Staten Island for the October 2021 killing of Jamie Liang and the attempted murder of Jenny Li. Wu pleaded guilty before Acting Kings County Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun in June 2024 to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree and one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree. -
Attorney General's office investigates civilian death involving NYPD
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has initiated an investigation into the death of a civilian following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in East Harlem on August 25, 2024. -
Attorney General files motion against anti-abortion group for violating court order
New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a motion to hold Red Rose Rescue, an anti-abortion extremist group, in contempt for defying a court order that prohibits the group and its members from blocking access to reproductive health care clinics. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) had previously filed a lawsuit against Red Rose Rescue in June 2023 for invading clinics, threatening staff, and terrorizing patients. In December 2023, OAG secured a preliminary injunction prohibiting the group from coming within 15 feet of reproductive health care clinics in specific... -
Attorney General warns against price gouging amid federal emergency in Suffolk County
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert today, warning businesses against price gouging of essential items in Suffolk County. This follows a federal emergency declaration due to severe weather that caused heavy flooding and significant damage on Long Island. The state's price gouging statute aims to prevent businesses from exploiting consumers by selling essential goods or services at excessively high prices during market disruptions or emergencies. -
Attorney General releases report on civilian death involving state police in Ontario County
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has released its report on the death of a minor, C.W., who died on November 15, 2023, following an encounter with a New York State Police (NYSP) officer in Ontario County. The investigation included a review of body-worn camera footage, statements from involved officers, and comprehensive legal analysis. OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officer’s actions were justified under New York law. -
Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Djamshed Nematov
New York Attorney General Letitia James released police body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Djamshed Nematov, who died on March 8, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens. -
New York Court affirms constitutionality of early mail voter act
New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement today following the New York State Court of Appeals' affirmation of the constitutionality of the New York Early Mail Voter Act. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) defended this legislation against a lawsuit challenging the legislature’s authority to enact mail-in voting. -
Attorney general halts illegal discrimination against low-income renters
New York Attorney General Letitia James has halted discriminatory housing practices by Shamco Management Corp. (Shamco), a property owner and management company in New York City. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) found that Shamco, which manages approximately 1,300 units, including 1,161 rent-stabilized units across 31 buildings primarily located in Harlem and Central Brooklyn, violated state human rights laws by refusing to rent to individuals with housing vouchers. -
Attorney General James Sues Predatory Lender For Cheating Thousands of New Yorkers
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Acima Digital, Acima Holdings, and Acima Solutions (Acima) for deceiving more than 100,000 New York consumers. -
Attorneys general file amended complaint against Live Nation and Ticketmaster
New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general, has filed an amended complaint against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (Live Nation) and its subsidiary Ticketmaster. The action seeks additional relief for American consumers harmed by these companies. -
Attorney General releases footage from investigation into Albert Melendez Jr.'s death
New York Attorney General Letitia James released police body-worn camera footage obtained during the investigation into the death of Albert Melendez, Jr., who died on July 16, 2024, following an encounter with members of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Sullivan County. -
Attorney General releases footage from investigation into Djamshed Nematov's death
New York Attorney General Letitia James released police body-worn camera footage obtained during the investigation into the death of Djamshed Nematov, who died on March 8, 2024, following an encounter with New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in Queens. -
Attorney General James’ Office of Special Investigation Releases Report on Death of Michael Dotel
New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Michael Dotel, who died on December 23, 2023 after an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in the Bronx. -
Attorney General James sues predatory lender Acima Digital
New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against Acima Digital, Acima Holdings, and Acima Solutions (collectively known as Acima) for allegedly deceiving over 100,000 New York consumers. The lawsuit claims that Acima violated New York’s rent-to-own law by “leasing” goods that could not be returned, charging more than the allowable amount on goods, and misleading consumers about the cost of financing provided by Acima. These actions reportedly led to contracts that more than doubled the price of items for consumers. The lawsuit aims to halt these deceptive... -
Attorney General James leads coalition supporting regulation on interstate firearm sales
New York Attorney General Letitia James has led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in advocating for state and federal laws that regulate gun sales. The coalition filed an amicus brief in U.S. v. Steven Perez, arguing that federal laws preventing individuals from transporting or receiving firearms from outside their state of residence, except through a federally licensed firearms dealer, are crucial for public safety. The brief, submitted to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, asserts that regulations on firearms dealers help reduce violent crime and... -
Biotech firm fined $4.5M for inadequate patient data protection
New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with the attorneys general of Connecticut and New Jersey, has secured $4.5 million from Enzo Biochem, Inc. (Enzo) for failing to adequately safeguard patient health information. Enzo, a biotechnology company providing diagnostic testing in laboratories across New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, was found by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to have poor data security practices. These deficiencies led to a ransomware attack compromising the personal and private information of approximately 2.4 million patients, including... -
Father-daughter duo charged with defrauding elderly New Yorker out of $280K
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the indictment and arrest of Frank Whittaker, 56, of Kingston, NY, and his daughter Christine Ellsworth, 38, of Accord, NY. They are accused of stealing over $280,000 from an elderly victim in Ulster County. The pair allegedly gained the trust of the then-92-year-old victim by providing lawn maintenance and household assistance before accessing her checkbook and finances. Whittaker was appointed as a Power of Attorney (POA) over the victim’s finances, enabling him and Ellsworth to misappropriate her life savings.