News from August 2024
AG Nessel warns Michigan consumers about new unpaid toll road smishing scam
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reissued a consumer alert from May, warning residents about a recent smishing scam targeting toll road users. The scam involves deceptive text messages claiming the recipient owes money for unpaid tolls from SunPass, a Florida-based electronic toll collection system. The fraudulent texts also threaten a $50 late fee if the balance is not settled immediately. It is important to note that SunPass does not send such messages.
Florida Attorney General warns public about dangers of fentanyl-laced drugs
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians about the dangers of drug use on National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. According to a report, law enforcement seized more than 115 million counterfeit prescription pills containing illicit fentanyl in 2023. Fentanyl is also being found mixed in other illicit drugs, like meth and cocaine. To keep Floridians informed about the threats of this deadly substance, Attorney General Moody updated the Fast Facts on Fentanyl toolkit with additional resources to report online drug dealers.
Attorney General confirms legislators' rights in attending executive sessions
OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 21, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a formal opinion today confirming that Oklahoma legislators are fully authorized to attend executive sessions of every state agency, board, and commission.
Attorney General Paxton's office executes search warrants in election integrity probe
On August 20, 2024, Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Election Integrity Unit executed multiple search warrants in Frio, Atascosa, and Bexar Counties as part of an ongoing election integrity investigation.
Chief Justice Mike Heavican announces retirement after 18 years
Chief Justice Mike Heavican will retire on October 31, 2024, after 18 years of service on the bench. His retirement letter to Governor Jim Pillen is attached below.
New Supreme Court council targets child protection improvements
Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson has signed an order to establish the Supreme Court Council on Child Protection and Maltreatment Prevention.
Attorney General announces new DNA findings in Marcellus Williams case
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced today that new evidence has emerged in the Marcellus Williams case, confirming his office's assertion regarding DNA found on a knife used in the trial. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office had previously claimed that this DNA would exonerate Williams by matching an unknown individual.
Attorney General Mike Hilgers comments on Chief Justice Heavican's retirement
Attorney General Mike Hilgers has issued a statement in response to the retirement of Chief Justice Heavican. Hilgers expressed his gratitude and congratulated Heavican on his retirement, acknowledging his extensive service to Nebraska.
Buckeye Institute files appeal in Cleveland class action tax case
The Buckeye Institute has filed a notice of appeal in the case Wos v. Cleveland, a class action lawsuit representing nonresidents of Cleveland who experienced delays in receiving their municipal income tax refunds. The appeal will be heard by Ohio’s Eighth District Court of Appeals.
Attorney General announces arrest of former Alexander employee for theft
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement today following the arrest of Melissa Ann Anthony-Ratliff, 36, a former employee of the city of Alexander, in Memphis, Tennessee. The arrest resulted from an investigation by the Public Integrity Unit of the Attorney General's office.
America First Legal files second lawsuit against IBM over alleged discrimination
America First Legal files second lawsuit against IBM for alleged discrimination
Attorney General Formella Announces Creation of New Data Privacy Unit
Attorney General John M. Formella announces the creation of a new Data Privacy Unit (the “Unit”) to be housed within the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office.
Attorney General Drummond joins multi-state efforts against federal voter registration policies
OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 21, 2024) - With early and absentee voting for the 2024 presidential election set to begin in a matter of weeks, Attorney General Gentner Drummond is fighting to protect election integrity with a pair of recent filings.
Organized Crime Task Force seizes illegal marijuana in Seminole
Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s Organized Crime Task Force recently seized and eradicated more than 9,000 marijuana plants and 456 pounds of unlawful marijuana in Seminole.
Jackson Lewis Named Early Adopter of Diversity Lab's Mansfield Certification
Nationwide employment law firm Jackson Lewis P.C. is pleased to announce that it has been named an early adopter of Diversity Lab’s Mansfield Certification Process.
Attorney General James Releases Footage from Investigation into Death of Djamshed Nematov
New York Attorney General Letitia James released police body-worn camera footage that her office obtained as part of its ongoing investigation into the death of Djamshed Nematov, who died on March 8, 2024 following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens.
Attorney General Griffin Clears Owners of Fort Smith Property Near Ebbing Air National Guard Base
Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement regarding the results of his investigation into the ownership of property near Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith.
AG Nessel Partners with National Labor Relations Board to Strengthen Worker Protections
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (PDF) with the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) Regional Directors from Board Regions 7-Detroit and 18-Minneapolis to strengthen worker protections.
New York man charged with operating as illegal Chinese government agent
Yuanjun Tang, 67, a naturalized citizen of the United States and resident of Queens, New York, was charged by criminal complaint with acting and conspiring to act in the United States as an unregistered agent of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and making materially false statements to the FBI. Tang was arrested today in Flushing, Queens, and will be presented this afternoon.
Alabama Attorney General Marshall Leads Coalition Urging Supreme Court to Uphold State Laws Protecting Girls’ Sports
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed a 26-state amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court’s decision that the Constitution prohibits States from restricting girls’ sports teams to biological females.