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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Former NRA CFO banned from NY not-for-profits after AG James' settlement
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a settlement with the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) former Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Wilson “Woody” Phillips. The agreement bans Phillips from serving as a fiduciary of any not-for-profit in New York for ten years and mandates training before he can return to such positions. In February, a jury found Phillips liable for violating his duties in managing the NRA's financial affairs, resulting in $2 million in damages. A second trial phase, scheduled to begin on July 15, was set to determine whether Phillips should be... -
Attorney General settles with NYC school bus firms over illegal emissions
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced settlements with four school bus companies to halt illegal excessive idling at their bus yards in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island. The companies—Consolidated Bus, Inc., Logan Bus Company, Pioneer Transportation Co., and Total Transportation Corp.—will invest up to $2 million each to purchase new electric buses or electrify part of their current fleet. -
Attorney General's office investigates civilian death after NYPD encounter in Queens
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 the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens on July 4, 2024. -
Statement from Attorney General James on Supreme Court Allowing Access to Emergency Abortion Care in Idaho
New York Attorney General Letitia James released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court dismissed petitions for certiorari in Idaho v. U.S. and Moyle v. U.S. and allowed a preliminary injunction by the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho to stay in place, which allows hospitals in Idaho to provide emergency abortion care as required by the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). -
Orange County transportation company indicted for defrauding Medicaid
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrests and indictments of Daler Yuldashev, Damir Yuldashev, their company DYD Universe, Inc. (DYD), and Nigina Iskandarova for their involvement in a scheme that defrauded Medicaid of over $2.3 million and paid illegal kickbacks to Medicaid recipients. The Yuldashevs operated DYD as a medical transportation provider, overcharging Medicaid by billing for non-existent trips and adding fake tolls to legitimate rides. They also paid kickbacks to Medicaid recipients to recruit more customers. -
Coalition urges Supreme Court to uphold federal ghost gun regulations
Attorney General Letitia James has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in urging the United States Supreme Court to uphold a federal rule regulating ghost guns—untraceable weapons often made at home from kits—like other firearms. The coalition filed an amicus brief in Garland v. VanDerStok, seeking to reverse an appeals court decision that overturned this gun safety rule. In the brief, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that the rule clarifies existing law, is necessary to prevent gun violence, and assists law enforcement in solving serious crimes. -
Tompkins County transport company owner arrested for alleged $1 million Medicaid fraud
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrest of David Moore, owner of Tompkins County transportation company ASAP 2, for allegedly stealing over $1 million from Medicaid. Moore is accused of using fictitious billing and an illegal kickback scheme to overcharge for transportation services. According to Attorney General James, "Patients across the state depend on medical transportation providers to access the care they need. David Moore exploited his role to steal from New York’s Medicaid program, putting vulnerable New Yorkers at risk and undermining honest... -
Queens scrapyard fined nearly $500K for pollution violations
New York Attorney General Letitia James and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar announced a settlement securing full remediation and up to $497,000 in penalties against LSM Auto Parts & Recycling (LSM), BGN Real Estate, and two related companies for releasing dangerous automobile fluids and oil at a vehicle scrap yard in Jamaica, Queens. LSM ignored regulations governing the proper disposal of toxic automobile waste, resulting in significant oil spillage that contaminated groundwater and soil near low-income communities and... -
Investigation launched into civilian death involving Utica Police Department
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation has initiated an inquiry into the death of Nyah Mway, who passed away on June 29, 2024, following an encounter with the Utica Police Department (UPD) in Utica. -
Indictments announced against medical transport firms for alleged $4.4M Medicaid fraud
New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced the indictments and arrests of five Medicaid-contracted transportation providers and their seven companies for allegedly stealing over $4.4 million from New York’s Medicaid program. The accused parties include Muhammad Rizwan Khan, Muhammad Usman Khan, and Farhan Khan of Orange County, along with their companies Tristate Express NY, Inc., Meditrans NY, Inc., Empire Trans NY, Inc., and A1 Class Car, Inc. They are charged with defrauding Medicaid of over $3.8 million. -
Supreme Court allows emergency abortion care in Idaho
New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement following the United States Supreme Court's decision to dismiss petitions for certiorari in Idaho v. U.S. and Moyle v. U.S. The court allowed a preliminary injunction by the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho to remain, permitting hospitals in Idaho to provide emergency abortion care as mandated by the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). -
Attorney General reminds New Yorkers about election protection hotline on primary day
New York Attorney General Letitia James reminded New Yorkers today of the availability of the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Election Protection Hotline for the June 25, 2024 primary election. The hotline aims to assist voters in resolving issues they may encounter when casting their ballots. Additionally, a guide addressing frequently asked questions is available to support voters. -
Attorney General releases footage from investigation into Kent Edwards' death
New York Attorney General Letitia James today released police body-worn camera footage obtained as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of Kent Edwards, who died on December 14, 2023, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Manhattan. -
Former NYPD officer pleads guilty to manslaughter and attempted murder
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the guilty plea of former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Officer Yvonne Wu, 34, of Staten Island for the October 2021 killing of Jamie Liang and attempted murder of Jenny Li. Wu pleaded guilty before Acting Kings County Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree and one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree. -
Western New York receives over $8 million from JUUL settlement to combat youth vaping
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that Western New York will receive over $8.8 million from a historic $462 million multistate settlement with JUUL Labs Inc. (JUUL). This settlement addresses JUUL's role in the youth vaping epidemic, which has significantly increased underage e-cigarette use nationwide. The state of New York will receive a total of $112.7 million from this settlement, which Attorney General James plans to distribute across every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support... -
Attorney General announces over $3M funding for North Country against youth vaping
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the North Country will receive over $3 million from a historic $462 million multistate settlement with JUUL Labs Inc. (JUUL). This settlement addresses JUUL's role in the youth vaping epidemic, which led to a significant rise in underage e-cigarette use nationwide. New York state will receive a total of $112.7 million from this settlement, which Attorney General James plans to distribute across every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support programs... -
Attorney General announces over $6M fund to combat youth vaping epidemic
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the Capital Region will receive over $6.6 million from a historic $462 million multistate settlement secured from JUUL Labs Inc. (JUUL) for its role in the youth vaping epidemic. New York state will receive a total of $112.7 million through this settlement, which Attorney General James will distribute to every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support programs aimed at reducing and preventing underage vaping. -
Supreme Court upholds federal law barring domestic abusers from possessing firearms
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement following the United States Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Rahimi, which reversed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s ruling that a federal law prohibiting individuals under a domestic violence restraining order from accessing guns violates the Second Amendment. The case centered on Zackey Rahimi, who was barred from possessing firearms due to a domestic violence restraining order after assaulting his girlfriend. Rahimi was later involved in multiple shootings and indicted for firearm... -
Southern Tier receives over $4M from Juul settlement for anti-vaping initiatives
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the Southern Tier will receive over $4.5 million from a historic $462 million multistate settlement secured from JUUL Labs Inc. (JUUL). This settlement addresses JUUL's role in the youth vaping epidemic, which has led to a significant rise in underage e-cigarette use nationwide. New York state will receive a total of $112.7 million through this settlement, which will be distributed to every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support programs aimed at... -
Attorney General James announces funding for Mohawk Valley to combat youth vaping
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the Mohawk Valley will receive over $3.4 million from a historic $462 million multistate settlement secured from JUUL Labs Inc. (JUUL) for its role in the youth vaping epidemic. New York state will receive a total of $112.7 million through this settlement, which will be distributed to every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support programs aimed at reducing and preventing underage vaping.