News from November 2023
Attorney General Moody's Statewide Prosecutors Secure 25-Year Prison Sentence for North Florida Drug Trafficker
Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution has successfully obtained a 25-year prison sentence for Kevin Choute, the leader of a drug-trafficking organization operating in Gadsden and Leon counties. Choute was found guilty by a Leon County jury on charges of trafficking heroin and cocaine, conspiracy to traffic cocaine, and felon in possession of a firearm.In a statement, Attorney General Moody expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "Drug traffickers profit from the misery of others, but in Florida, we are making sure they pay dearly...
Former Kauaʻi Police Department Employee Convicted, Given Jail Sentence for Felony Theft
Former Kauaʻi Police Department employee Mikalynn Hiranaka has been sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Randal Valenciano to 60 days in jail and four years of probation following her guilty plea to one count of Theft in the First Degree.
Carr: Three Convicted in Columbus Shooting that Killed Two Teens, Injured Two Others
Attorney General Chris Carr announced that Rodderick Glanton, Homer Upshaw, and Terrance Upshaw have been convicted in the June 2021 shooting that killed 17-year-old Jesse Ransom and 18-year-old Saiveon Pugh and wounded two others.
AG Jennings announces $30 million order against student lender for illegal practices
Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced today that, due to the work of her office, along with the federal Consumer Protection Financial Bureau and 11 other states, a Delaware bankruptcy court approved a stipulated judgment that will require bankrupt student lender Prehired to provide more than $30 million in relief to student borrowers nationwide.
Attorney General Tong Announces $6.5 Million Settlement with Morgan Stanley for Two Data Security Incidents
Attorney General William Tong along with five attorneys general announced a $6.5 million settlement with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) for compromising the personal information of its customers due to negligent internal data security practices.
Attorney General’s Office provides $3 million to food access and diaper programs to meet critical need statewide
Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that the Colorado Department of Law will provide $3 million in funding to local food banks, food pantries, and diaper programs that Coloradans rely on for food and other basic necessities.
Raymond Landlord, of Mountain Village, Sentenced for Murder of 18-Year-Old Classmate
Bethel Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Peters sentenced now 21-year-old Raymond Landlord for the murder of 18-year-old Coy Bryan in 2018.
Attorney General Marshall Reinforces Opioid Settlement Terms and Transparency for Local Officials
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall sent a letter to local leaders statewide addressing the millions of dollars local jurisdictions will receive from opioid settlements for the specific purpose of abating the opioid crisis.
Fourth District Court Rules Idaho Falls School District 2023 Plant Facilities Levy Illegal
The Fourth District Court of the State of Idaho rules Idaho Falls School District’s 2023 plant facilities levy is illegal and must be set aside.
Attorney General Steve Marshall Statement on the Execution of Murderer Casey McWhorter
Attorney General Steve Marshall issued the following statement tonight after the execution of Casey Allen McWhorter at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama:
Three Bradley Attorneys Appointed to DRI Affinity Committee Leadership Roles
Bradley is pleased to announce that three of the firm’s Birmingham attorneys have been appointed to leadership roles on each of the DRI’s affinity committees. Gary L. Howard has assumed the role of chair of the DRI Diversity and Inclusion Committee, C. Meade Hartfield is serving her second term as vice chair of the DRI Women in the Law Committee, and Emily M. Ruzic is chair of the DRI Young Lawyers Committee.
Leadership Transitions: Ben Grove Joins Diversity in Government Relations Coalition Board and Wraps Up Q Street Presidency
Legislative Director Ben Grove was recently elected to join the board of the Diversity in Government Relations Coalition (DGR).
Jones Day's Ann Hollenbeck named among Crain's Detroit Business' "Notable Leaders in DEI" for 2023
Crain's Detroit Business has named Ann Hollenbeck, Partner-in-Charge of the Detroit Office, among the publication's "Notable Leaders in DEI" for 2023.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Sues Pfizer and Tris Pharma for Defrauding Texas Medicaid and Endangering Children
The Office of the Attorney General's Civil Medicaid Fraud Division has filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, Inc. and Tris Pharma, Inc., as well as Tris CEO Ketan Mehta, for defrauding the Texas Medicaid program and providing adulterated pharmaceutical drugs to Texas children. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer knowingly distributed an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication called Quillivant XR, produced by Tris, despite the drug's consistent failure in quality control tests due to flawed manufacturing practices.According to the lawsuit, Tris...
Attorney General Miyares Obtains Order Requiring Prehired to Provide Students More than $30 Million in Relief for Illegal Student Lending Practices
Attorney General Jason Miyares has announced that student lender Prehired will be providing over $30 million in relief to student borrowers who were victims of illegal student lending practices. The lender has been accused of making false promises of job placement and trapping students with "income share" loans that violated the law. Additionally, Prehired resorted to abusive debt collection practices when borrowers were unable to make payments.The order, which has been approved by a federal court, requires Prehired to cease all operations, pay $4.2 million in redress to...
AG Kaul Joins CFPB and 10 States in Securing Relief for Allegedly Illegal Student Lending Practices
Attorney General Josh Kaul, along with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and 10 states, has announced a significant victory in the fight against predatory student lending practices. Prehired, a Delaware-based company, has been ordered to provide more than $30 million in relief to student borrowers who were allegedly deceived and trapped in income share loans that violated the law.The allegations against Prehired include false promises of job placement, deceptive loan practices, and abusive debt collection tactics. The states and the CFPB filed an adversary...
Attorney General Miyares Prosecutes Fauquier County Puppy Mill
RICHMOND, VA - Irina Barrett, a resident of Fauquier County, has been found guilty of 60 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty. The verdict was delivered by a jury in Fauquier County, and Barrett is scheduled to be sentenced in February 2024.The case dates back to January 2020 when the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant following reports of gross neglect of an 8-month-old Doberman Puppy named Yeva. The investigation revealed that Yeva had been deprived of food and veterinary treatment. Upon entering Barrett's residence, authorities discovered 75...
Attorney General Investigates Media Matters for Potential Fraudulent Activity
The Office of the Attorney General has launched an investigation into Media Matters for potential fraudulent activity, citing violations of the Texas Business Organizations Code and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act. The investigation aims to hold nonprofits accountable for fraudulent acts committed within or affecting the state of Texas.Attorney General Ken Paxton expressed deep concern over the allegations against Media Matters, an organization known for its staunch opposition to free speech. The focus of the investigation revolves around the alleged manipulation of...
Overpriced monopoly or good deal? Even FTC chief Khan buys diapers at Amazon
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan, in a recent interview, acknowledged that even she buys baby diapers on Amazon.
Disabled golfer loses quest to park cart anywhere he wants on course
SANTA ANA, CALIF. (Legal Newsline) – A panel trio of justices from the California State Court of Appeal’s Fourth District have upheld a lower court ruling that the owners of a San Juan Capistrano-based country club did not discriminate against a golfer with a medical disability.