News from August 2024
Attorney General Bonta challenges Kroger-Albertsons megamerger on first day of trial
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement today on the first day of trial in the state’s lawsuit challenging Kroger's $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons. The merger, involving two of the largest national supermarket chains, poses significant risks to competition and could lead to higher food prices nationwide. In Southern California, the consolidation is expected to reduce consumer choices and increase prices further.
Federal court halts Biden-Harris immigration program pending litigation
On August 26, 2024, America First Legal (AFL), in collaboration with the States of Texas and Idaho, and a coalition of 14 Attorneys General, secured a significant legal victory against the Biden-Harris Administration’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas temporarily halted a new program that AFL claims unlawfully provides a pathway to citizenship for over one million undocumented immigrants.
Davison man charged with bottle deposit fraud
Namir Shango, 34, of Davison, was arraigned in the 67th District Court in Saginaw on one count of False Pretenses, $50,000 to $100,000 last Wednesday. The charge is a 15-year felony for allegedly committing bottle return fraud from the Mt. Morris liquor store Valley Liquor, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
NLJ Legal Awards Selects TC Lobbying & Policy Team as 2024 Finalist
For the second consecutive year, Thompson Coburn’s Lobbying & Policy group is a finalist in the Government Relations/Lobbying category for the National Law Journal Legal Awards.
Nelson Mullins’ Emerging Companies Team Recognized in 2024 Q2 Pitchbook Rankings
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has been recognized by PitchBook Data, Inc. in its Q2 2024 global rankings as among the most active law firms advising emerging growth companies and venture capital firms, both in the United States and abroad.
New documents reveal vetting issues during Afghan refugee resettlement
America First Legal (AFL) has released new documents concerning the Biden-Harris Administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. These documents, obtained through litigation against the Department of Justice (DOJ), reveal significant issues in the vetting process for Afghan refugees.
Montana DCI investigates officer-involved shooting in Valley County
The Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer-involved critical incident that occurred late Saturday night in Valley County.
AG Moody reminds colleges about protections for Jewish students
As colleges and universities begin a new academic year, Attorney General Ashley Moody today reminded higher education officials in Florida of their duty to protect Jewish students from harassment, intimidation, and other incidents of antisemitism. This reminder follows radical antisemitic protests across the nation and destructive protests at colleges and universities in the previous academic year.
North Dakota Insurance Department seeks attorney for administrative role
The North Dakota Insurance Department has announced a job opening for an attorney. The department's mission is to oversee the insurance marketplace, safeguard promises made to consumers by insurance companies, and foster a fair and thriving marketplace. The position involves collaborating with staff, criminal and civil investigators, and fellow attorneys to prepare administrative and criminal cases for enforcement and prosecution.
Attorneys general urge Brown University to reject Israeli divestment proposal
Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced that he, along with 23 other state attorneys general, has sent a letter urging Brown University to reject a proposal for divestment from companies conducting business with Israel. The move is said to trigger anti-Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction (BDS) laws in several states.
Attorney General warns against price gouging amid federal emergency in Suffolk County
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert today, warning businesses against price gouging of essential items in Suffolk County. This follows a federal emergency declaration due to severe weather that caused heavy flooding and significant damage on Long Island. The state's price gouging statute aims to prevent businesses from exploiting consumers by selling essential goods or services at excessively high prices during market disruptions or emergencies.
Colorado man charged for online threats against officials
A Colorado man will make his initial appearance at the federal courthouse in Durango, Colorado, today on federal charges in connection with a series of online threats he made toward election officials in Colorado and Arizona, a Colorado state judge, and federal law enforcement agents.
Colorado dentist charged with six counts of tax evasion
A federal grand jury in Denver has returned an indictment unsealed on Friday, charging a Colorado dentist with six counts of tax evasion for his use of an illegal tax shelter.
Attorney General announces takedown of large-scale retail theft ring
Five suspects charged in connection with $71,000 theft operation targeting multiple counties across Lehigh Valley and Capitol regions
Boone County secures conviction in decades-old case through SAFE Kit Initiative
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced today that the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office secured a conviction for sexual assault against Lonny Ray Caldwell after the AGO’s SAFE Kit Initiative obtained a CODIS hit matching his DNA.
Los Angeles settles $38M claim over misuse of HUD grant funds
The City of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $38.2 million to resolve allegations that it knowingly failed to meet federal accessibility requirements when it sought and used Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant funds for multifamily affordable housing.
Attorney General Alan Wilson seeks answers from ActBlue over fundraising fraud allegations
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has issued a letter to the CEO of ActBlue, addressing allegations that the political fundraising group may have engaged in potentially fraudulent or illegal activities.
Idaho and Texas lead multi-state lawsuit against expanded parole-in-place program
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are leading 14 other states in a lawsuit filed in a Texas U.S. District Court, seeking to end the Biden-Harris Administration’s expansion of the Parole-in-Place (PIP) Program. Traditionally administered on a case-by-case basis, the PIP program allows undocumented individuals who entered the country without authorization to remain in the United States for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Agreement reached to preserve labor & delivery services at Sharon Hospital
Attorney General Tong has announced an agreement with Northwell Health, Inc. and Nuvance Health to preserve labor and delivery services at Sharon Hospital and strengthen access to local healthcare in Western Connecticut. This agreement resolves the antitrust investigation into the proposed affiliation between the two hospital systems.
New York auto repair shop owner sentenced for tax fraud conspiracy
A New York man was sentenced today to 20 months in prison for conspiring to defraud the United States by concealing income from the IRS.