News from August 2024
Attorney General Alan Wilson challenges Biden-Harris administration’s unlawful voter registration scheme
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a coalition of nine attorneys general in challenging the Biden-Harris administration’s unlawful voter registration scheme that turns federal agencies into voter registration organizations and puts the integrity of the country’s elections at risk.
Women’s Groups, 26 States Ask US Supreme Court to Hear Cases Seeking to Protect Women’s Sports
Multiple states, women’s sports advocacy groups, businesses, and other organizations have filed friend-of-the-court briefs asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear two cases concerning state laws that protect women’s sports.
Injunction scaled back in challenge to Calif. law targeting minors' online activities
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has dissolved portions of an injunction that blocked a California law imposing new regulations on social media and other online companies over their handling of minors' accounts.
Justice Department launches civil rights probe into Tennessee correctional center
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke announced today that the U.S. Justice Department is initiating a civil investigation into conditions at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center in Hartsville, Tennessee. The facility, operated by CoreCivic on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Correction, will be scrutinized for potential violations of constitutional rights under the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act.
Attorney General Murrill joins coalition urging SCOTUS to allow Arizona's voter registration law
Attorney General Liz Murrill has joined a coalition of 24 states in requesting an emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court following the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to block Arizona's law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal races.
Pelzer man arrested on charges related to child sexual abuse material
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Andrew Donald Kowal, 32, of Pelzer, S.C., on three charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. 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.
AG Yost sues contractor over unfulfilled repair promises totaling $158K
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is suing a storm-chasing contractor accused of abandoning homeowners after accepting payments totaling $158,000 for repairs.
Seven convicted for obstructing access at Michigan reproductive clinics
A federal jury convicted seven defendants today of federal civil rights offenses stemming from their blockade of a reproductive health care clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan, on August 27, 2020. The defendants were each found guilty of a felony conspiracy against rights and a Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act offense. Two defendants faced additional convictions for a second FACE Act offense related to another blockade at a clinic in Saginaw, Michigan.
America First Legal continues legal fight over alleged racial discrimination by Progressive Insurance
America First Legal (AFL), along with Mitchell Law PLLC and Ashbrook Bryne Kresge LLC, has continued its legal battle by filing a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The case involves allegations of racial discrimination in Progressive Insurance's “Driving Small Business Forward” grant program.
Minnesota AG's office wins national award for report on youth well-being
The National Conference of State Legislatures has awarded the 2024 Notable Document Award to the Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison for its "Report on Emerging Technology and Its Effects on Youth Well-Being." The award, decided by a panel of experienced legislative librarians, acknowledges documents that explore topics relevant to legislators and legislative staff and present substantive material in an exceptional format.
States seek Supreme Court review on voter registration proof of citizenship
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a coalition of 24 states in requesting the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case that would affirm states' rights to establish their own election rules, including the requirement for voters to provide proof of citizenship.
Supplier arrested in Boynton Beach drug-trafficking operation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has announced the arrest of a supplier involved in a significant drug-trafficking ring operating out of Boynton Beach. William Moyo faces felony charges for trafficking cocaine and conspiracy to traffic cocaine. The investigation revealed that Moyo supplied cocaine and fentanyl to the Big Boi drug-trafficking ring, which has already led to the arrest of 17 defendants.
Justice Department investigates conditions at Tennessee's largest correctional facility
The Justice Department announced today the initiation of an investigation into conditions at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, a Tennessee Department of Correction facility managed by CoreCivic. Located approximately an hour outside Nashville, Trousdale Turner is Tennessee’s largest correctional facility.
Tennessee AG warns consumers about rising trend in QR code scams
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office has issued a warning to consumers regarding QR code scams. While QR code technology offers convenience, it can also be exploited by scammers. Common QR code scams include:
Detroit man pleads guilty to embezzling over $60K from circuit court judge
Steven Allen, 43, of Detroit, pled guilty today to one count of embezzlement between $50,000 and $100,000 and one count of financial transaction device—stealing/retaining without consent in the Third Circuit Court in Wayne County. The announcement was made by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Allen had been charged in January with four felonies for embezzling more than $60,000 from a sitting Circuit Court judge. Under the plea agreement, Allen is required to pay $64,651.74 in restitution and serve three years of probation.
Wisconsin DOJ investigates officer-involved shooting in Wisconsin Rapids
CITY of WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in the City of Wisconsin Rapids, Wood County, Wis., that occurred on the morning of Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Attorney General urges vigilance against fraud ahead of National Senior Citizens Day
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Ahead of National Senior Citizens Day, Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging older Floridians to remain vigilant against fraud. Florida, home to over 5.5 million seniors, has seen heightened efforts to protect this demographic from fraudulent schemes. Since taking office in 2019, Attorney General Moody has launched the Senior Protection Team, an intra-agency group aimed at combating fraud targeting seniors. Last year alone, the team secured more than $1 million in financial relief for Florida seniors.
Venezuelan national pleads guilty in scheme evading US sanctions on state oil company
George Semerene Quintero, 60, of Venezuela, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for his role in a scheme to evade U.S. sanctions imposed on Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), a Venezuelan state-owned oil company.
Attorney General Alan Wilson supports North Carolina's abortion drug restrictions
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson co-led a brief filed Monday supporting North Carolina laws regulating the prescribing and dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs, such as mifepristone. A coalition of 18 states submitted the brief to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in response to a lawsuit brought by a doctor against North Carolina's regulations.
New York Court affirms constitutionality of early mail voter act
New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement today following the New York State Court of Appeals' affirmation of the constitutionality of the New York Early Mail Voter Act. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) defended this legislation against a lawsuit challenging the legislature’s authority to enact mail-in voting.