News from August 2024
Ohio AG's special prosecutions team secures convictions in rape cases
The Special Prosecutions Section of Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office secured justice in two sexual assault cases this week, underscoring the prosecutorial expertise provided to local law enforcement agencies across Ohio.
Maine Supreme Judicial Court seeks public input on proposed bar admission rule changes
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has invited public comments on the proposed adoption of Rule 11C of the Maine Bar Admission Rules and the proposed repeal of Rule 89(c) of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. The changes aim to (1) transfer the current provisions of Maine Rule of Civil Procedure 89(c) to the new Maine Bar Admission Rule 11C, (2) authorize temporary permission to practice for attorneys in good standing from other states or the District of Columbia who are employed by the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services and have completed its minimum standard...
Aiken County man arrested on child sexual abuse material charges
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Kevin Kenyatta Johnson, 28, of Gloverville, S.C., on two charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office and Homeland Security Investigations, both also members of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.
Attorney General Bailey investigates Life Time Fitness over locker room policies
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has initiated an investigation into Life Time Fitness in Ellisville, Missouri. The action follows complaints from constituents that the gym permits a biological male to use women and girls' private spaces. Bailey has notified the gym of potential criminal and civil liability for allegedly endangering women and girls, and his office is issuing subpoenas.
Federal grand jury indicts six members involved in transnational fraud network
A federal grand jury in Los Angeles has returned an indictment charging six defendants for their participation in a years-long scheme to steal millions of dollars from American consumers’ bank accounts.
AGs file lawsuit against Regeneron alleging inflated Medicaid prices
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a federal lawsuit in collaboration with six other attorneys general, accusing Regeneron Pharmaceuticals of inflating Medicaid prices for an essential eye medication. The lawsuit alleges that the New York-based company engaged in practices that led to millions of dollars in losses for state Medicaid programs.
Taiwanese national sentenced for defrauding biochemical company
A Taiwanese national, Pen Yu, 51, was sentenced today to three years and eight months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud. As part of his sentence, the court also entered an order of forfeiture in the amount of $100,000, representing the proceeds of the wire fraud.
Coalition supports Minnesota law prohibiting concealed carry by individuals under 21
Attorney General William Tong has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit to uphold a Minnesota law that prohibits individuals under the age of 21 from carrying concealed handguns in public.
Justice Department sues TikTok over alleged COPPA violations
The Justice Department, in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has filed a civil lawsuit against TikTok Inc., ByteDance Ltd., and their affiliates for violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The suit, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, alleges that TikTok has been non-compliant with COPPA regulations since 2019.
Attorney General Neronha addresses proposed Blue Cross Blue Shield rate hike
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued a statement today after submitting a final brief in his role as the State’s Health Care Advocate, addressing the proposed insurance rate increase by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI).
Charlestown woman found guilty for role in East Greenwich teen's death
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Charlestown woman has been found guilty in Kent County Superior Court for her role in the driving death of 17-year-old Olivia Passaretti in 2022.
Documents reveal FDA's stance on puberty blockers despite known risks
America First Legal (AFL) has released documents indicating that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Division of General Endocrinology recommended the approval of puberty blockers for children, despite being aware that these drugs increase the risk of depression and suicidality.
Canton residents charged with defrauding Amazon over $50K
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced that the FORCE Team has charged Ali F. Habash, 28, and Ahmed Al-Bahia, 22, both of Canton, for allegedly defrauding Amazon of more than $50,000. The defendants were arraigned in the 35th District Court in Plymouth, with Al-Bahia on July 24 and Habash on July 29.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco delivers keynote address at ABA General Assembly
Today, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco delivered the keynote address at the 2024 American Bar Association General Assembly in Chicago, Illinois.
Maine Supreme Judicial Court seeks public comment on judicial conduct code amendment
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is seeking public input on a proposed amendment to the Maine Code of Judicial Conduct. The amendment aims to clarify that the Code applies to lawyers seeking judicial appointments from the moment they are nominated.
Attorney General leads effort backing Minnesota's under-21 concealed carry prohibition
Attorney General Raoul leads coalition supporting Minnesota law that prohibits concealed carry by individuals under 21
Attorney General alerts consumers about July's harmful household product recalls
Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers about significant consumer protection concerns related to products recalled in July. The office encourages consumers to take advantage of available opportunities for those who purchased recalled items that could be harmful to their families.
8th Circuit affirms decision in United States v. Kylee Starr
The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court decision in United States v. Kylee Starr.
Examining challenges integrating pre-packaged bankruptcies within SubChapter-V framework
Since the Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA) took effect on February 19, 2020, subchapter V has provided small businesses a more flexible, efficient, and cost-effective path through chapter 11. Nearly 8,200 debtors have elected subchapter V treatment since 2020, with their plans confirmed at more than twice the rate and cases dismissed at about half the rate of other small business cases. The U.S. Trustee Program (USTP) has played an integral role in administering subchapter V cases during SBRA’s first four years, including selecting and supervising subchapter V...
Fox Rothschild Helps Expand Wagering Options for New Jersey Horse Racing Fans
C.J. Fisher, Co-Chair of Fox Rothschild’s Gaming Department, represented NYRA Bets in its deal to become the Managing Vendor of New Jersey’s online and mobile pari-mutuel account wagering system for horse racing.