News from August 2024
Court halts Mississippi professionals from selling fraudulent “tax plans
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi has issued permanent injunctions against Thomas Walt Dallas, Jason Todd Mardis, and Capital Preservation Services LLC. The court's decision bars them from making statements about tax benefits for compensation and includes other relief measures. The defendants consented to the entry of the injunctions.
Coalition opposes Biden-Harris stance on state de-banking laws
Attorney General Ashley Moody is leading a coalition of 19 other attorneys general in opposing the Biden-Harris administration’s assertion that state laws preventing de-banking constitute a “national security threat.” The coalition argues that this claim is an attempt to create confusion about state laws to further what they describe as extreme activist agendas.
Kansas AG warns against illegal contractors after recent storms
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has issued a warning to residents about potential scams by transient contractors following recent storm damage in several counties. The affected areas include Barton, Cloud, Dickinson, Douglas, Geary, Gove, Graham, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Morris, Osage, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte.
Texas AG Ken Paxton challenges federal listing of dunes sagebrush lizard
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has notified the Biden Administration of Texas’s intent to sue the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the listing of the dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Justice Department finds systemic abuses at Texas juvenile justice department
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke announced the findings of a statewide civil rights investigation into the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) on August 1, 2024. The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, examined five juvenile justice facilities in Texas.
Justice Department announces new Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri delivered remarks on August 1, 2024, announcing the launch of the Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program. This initiative aims to enhance the Department of Justice's enforcement efforts and encourage corporate accountability.
Family friend convicted in connection with Sullivan County baby's death
Brigitte Meckes, along with the child’s parents, were charged
Jonathan Kanter outlines Antitrust Division's efforts at public strike force meeting
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter addressed the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing, emphasizing the Justice Department's commitment to holding corporations accountable for exploitative practices.
Minnesota AG settles with real estate firm over foreclosure rescue violations
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that his office has reached a settlement with Dwell Equities, LLC (Dwell) over the company’s failure to comply with legal requirements for foreclosure rescue services. In the settlement, Dwell agreed to pay almost $240,000 and cease engaging in their foreclosure rescue services.
Justice Department finds unconstitutional conditions at five Texas juvenile justice facilities
The Justice Department announced today its findings that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Department of Education finds New Jersey school district violated parental rights
Last week, America First Legal (AFL) achieved a significant outcome for the parents of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, when the U.S. Department of Education concluded that the Cedar Grove School District breached the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The Department found that the district failed to provide parents with lawful prior notice and a meaningful opportunity to opt their children out of "equity" and "diversity" surveys.
Justice official unveils initiatives addressing domestic violence-firearm intersection
Director Rosemarie Hidalgo of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) met with representatives from 12 pilot sites across the country that receive funding and support through the Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP). During this meeting, she announced a comprehensive strategy to address the lethal intersection of domestic violence and firearms. Director Hidalgo emphasized the urgent need to enhance efforts to prevent and address this dangerous issue, which increases the likelihood of death for victims of domestic violence.
Florida Attorney General secures withheld media contracts from Atlantic Coast Conference
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody has obtained media contracts previously withheld from Florida State University (FSU) by the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). These documents are central to FSU’s ongoing dispute with the ACC regarding the university's rights should it decide to leave the conference. As a result of Attorney General Moody’s legal action, the ACC has released six redacted media rights contracts and related documents.
Greenville County man arrested for distributing child sexual abuse material
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Russell Dean Stokes, 55, of Taylors, S.C., on three charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office, also a member of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.
North Dakota Supreme Court releases new opinions on August cases
On August 1, 2024, the following legal opinions were filed:
Michigan Supreme Court upholds EGLE's authority on water protection permits
The Michigan Supreme Court has upheld the authority of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to use a general permit to implement more protective conditions for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) than those outlined in existing rules. The decision in Michigan Farm Bureau v. Department of Environment, Great Lakes, And Energy affirms EGLE's ability to establish permit conditions aimed at safeguarding water quality and mandates that these conditions be justified in contested case proceedings.
State AGs urge federal government to prioritize health care needs over union agreements
Attorney General Miyares Leads Coalition of 17 State AGs Urging Federal Government to Stop Putting Unions Above Americans’ Health Care Needs
Attorney General James seeks public input on new children's online safety laws
New York Attorney General Letitia James has issued two advanced notices of proposed rulemaking for recently signed children’s online safety laws. These notices aim to protect minors on social media platforms and websites by allowing parents, children, advocates, stakeholders, social media companies, and tech industry professionals to submit comments and suggestions. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is tasked with creating rules to safeguard New York children online under the new laws sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic.
Chief Justice Jensen discusses judiciary independence on N.D. Public Radio
North Dakota Chief Justice Jon Jensen appeared on Prairie Public's 'Main Street,' hosted by Craig Blumenshine. Chief Jensen was interviewed on a variety of topics, including the importance of an independent and impartial judiciary, the influence of Marbury v. Madison on the role of the judiciary, and the potential role of technology in the courts.
Attorney generals file lawsuit against Regeneron alleging fraudulent drug price reporting
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with attorneys general from Colorado, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington, has filed a lawsuit in federal district court against Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The New York-based pharmaceutical company is accused of inflating the costs that state Medicaid programs have paid for the eye medication Eylea. The complaint alleges that this scheme led to the submission of tens of thousands of false claims to Medicaid and resulted in millions of dollars in losses for the states.