News from August 2024
Federal court rules against Google in antitrust case
Attorney General Josh Stein today issued a statement following his victory in a bipartisan antitrust lawsuit against Google concerning the company's search engine practices. A federal court determined that Google violated antitrust laws by unlawfully maintaining a monopoly over general search engine services and general search text ads.
Opioid settlement funds allocated to nearly 40 Oklahoma cities
OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 5, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office is set to distribute more than $5 million in settlement funds to nearly 40 Oklahoma cities and counties to combat the opioid abuse epidemic.
New York AG issues report on generative AI's benefits and risks
New York Attorney General Letitia James has released a report detailing the potential benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI. This follows a symposium organized by Attorney General James in April, titled "The Next Decade of Generative AI: Fostering Opportunities While Regulating Risks." The event brought together officials from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and experts from academia, policy-making, advocacy groups, and industry to develop strategies to mitigate risks while fostering innovation.
Attorney General secures murder convictions in Benton County case
After a two-week jury trial, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has secured the conviction of Michael Jordan Carpenter on all charges, including 1st degree premeditated murder and 2nd degree intentional murder, following the October 2022 killing of Nicole Hammond.
Louisiana AG defends state's Ten Commandments school display law against ACLU challenge
Attorney General Liz Murrill has filed a brief defending the constitutionality of H.B. 71, Louisiana’s law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.
Dominican nationals extradited over "grandparent scam" targeting elderly Americans
Three residents of Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, were extradited to the United States last week and made their initial appearance in Newark federal court yesterday on charges relating to their participation in a sprawling “grandparent scam” that defrauded elderly Americans out of millions of dollars.
North Dakota Attorney General seeks Deputy Solicitor General
The Office of the North Dakota Attorney General has announced an opening for the position of Deputy Solicitor General. The role, located in Bismarck, ND, is full-time and comes with a state benefit package. Applications are being accepted until August 19, 2024.
Attorney Generals Hilgers and Bird to make major announcement impacting U.S. agriculture
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird will hold a joint press conference on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 9:30 am. The event will take place at Hansen-Mueller, located at 13321 California St #100, Omaha, NE 68154.
Coalition of state attorneys general supports national TikTok ban
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in asking the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to uphold the national TikTok divest-or-ban legislation passed by Congress earlier this year.
America First Legal investigates FDA over puberty blocker approval for children
America First Legal (AFL) has initiated an investigation into the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following revelations obtained through litigation. The findings suggest that the FDA’s Division of General Endocrinology recommended the approval of puberty blockers for children, despite being aware of increased risks of depression and suicidality associated with these drugs.
Alabama settles lawsuit allowing nitrogen hypoxia execution method
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the State of Alabama has settled a lawsuit, allowing the execution of convicted murderer Alan Miller to proceed as scheduled in September. Miller had challenged the method of execution, which Alabama used for the first time in January this year. After months of discovery and review of key documents, Miller agreed to settle with the State. The terms remain confidential, but Miller's lawsuit will be dismissed with prejudice.
Federal judge rules against Google in landmark antitrust case
A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has ruled in favor of Attorney General Bob Ferguson's lawsuit, declaring that Google unlawfully leverages its dominance in the online search and related text advertising markets through exclusionary contracts. This ruling comes as part of a larger antitrust lawsuit involving a bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general.
Sandy Baxter bound over for trial on perjury charges related to campaign finance probe
LANSING – In the 54A District Court in Lansing, Judge Kristen Simmons has bound Sandy Baxter, 64, of Caledonia, over to stand trial in the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that Baxter was charged in February with one count of perjury, a 15-year felony, for allegedly lying under oath during testimony to state prosecutors and special agents investigating a fundraising scheme related to the Unlock Michigan ballot question initiative.
Attorney General highlights anti-crime partnerships during visit to Nevada
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada on August 5, 2024, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in addressing violent crime.
Google found guilty of maintaining illegal monopoly in online search market
Attorney General William Tong issued a statement following the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia's ruling that Google maintained an illegal monopoly in the online search market.
Attorney General Miyares co-leads 21-state coalition supporting national TikTok ban
Attorney General Jason Miyares has co-led a 21-state coalition urging the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to uphold the divest-or-ban legislation passed by Congress.
Attorney General Marshall supports upholding national TikTok ban
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in urging the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to uphold national TikTok divest-or-ban legislation passed by Congress earlier this year. The federal law mandates a ban on TikTok in the United States unless ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese-owned parent company, sells its stake in the platform. ByteDance and TikTok have sued the federal government following the enactment of this ban.
Attorney General Henry announces settlement with energy company over telemarketing violations
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced a settlement with Titan Gas, LLC, regarding the Texas-based company’s alleged violations of a previous settlement that prohibited contact with Pennsylvanians on the ‘Do-Not-Call’ registry.
Fox Rothschild’s Princeton, NJ Office Has Moved to 212 Carnegie Center
Fox Rothschild is pleased to announce that its Princeton, NJ office has relocated to 212 Carnegie Center, Suite 400.
Bradley Welcomes Seven Senior Attorneys and Associates
Bradley is pleased to announce that one senior attorney and six associates have joined the firm in the second quarter of 2024.