News from August 2024
North Dakota court clerk retires after over four decades of service
Lisa Moen, Calendar Control Clerk in the NECJD in Unit 1, is retiring as of August 31, 2024. Lisa has worked for the North Dakota Court System for 42 years and 364 days (but her plaque says 43 years because that was just too long to write). Lisa started working in the juvenile court office as a secretary before moving to the Court Administration office in the courthouse as Calendar Control Clerk.
Wilmington man sentenced to life plus ten years for fatal shooting
A Wilmington man has been sentenced to life plus ten years in prison for convictions stemming from the fatal shooting of Thaddeus Blackman in 2023.
Former NYPD officer sentenced for manslaughter and attempted murder
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the sentencing of former New York City Police Department (NYPD) Officer Yvonne Wu, 34, of Staten Island for the October 2021 killing of Jamie Liang and the attempted murder of Jenny Li. Wu pleaded guilty before Acting Kings County Supreme Court Justice Danny Chun in June 2024 to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree and one count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree.
Attorney General Mayes addresses motions to dismiss charges in fake electors case
Attorney General Mayes issues statement following fake electors hearing
Texas AG Ken Paxton launches illegal voting tipline ahead of 2024 elections
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a legal advisory on election integrity and launched an email tipline ([email protected]) for the public to report suspected violations of Texas election law.
Retired General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Joyce C. Broffitt passes away at age 68
Retired Shelby County General Sessions Criminal Court Judge Joyce Cassandra Broffitt passed away on August 23, 2024. She was 68 years old.
Former ATF analyst pleads no contest to PPP loan fraud
LANSING – Tiesha Johnson, 56, formerly of Farmington Hills, pled no contest in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County to fraudulently obtaining Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) from the federal government, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Johnson, a former analyst for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, pled to three counts of False Pretenses, $1,000-$20,000 and agreed to pay $34,675 in restitution.
Bipartisan coalition secures $190M unclaimed property settlement with Delaware
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today announced that Arkansas, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and Wisconsin—representing a bipartisan coalition of 30 states—have reached a settlement with Delaware officials to conclude the damages phase of an unclaimed property dispute. The dispute was won by Arkansas before the United States Supreme Court in 2023.
Coalition sues Biden administration over union rights for migrant farm workers
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is co-leading a 17-state coalition in a lawsuit against the Biden administration to prevent migrant farm workers from receiving union rights that domestic farm workers do not have. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia Brunswick Division has granted the states' motion for a preliminary injunction, halting the implementation of these rights while the lawsuit proceeds.
Family dentistry entities settle false claims case for $1.7 million over illegal fees
Attorney General Tong Announces $1.7 Million False Claims Settlement with Family Dentistry of Bridgeport, Hartford and Stamford Over Prohibited Patient Recruiting Fees
Oregon's ghost gun ban takes effect on September 1
The Oregon Department of Justice is reminding residents that the state’s new ban on "ghost guns" will take effect on September 1. Ghost guns, which lack serial numbers and are often assembled from separately purchased parts, pose significant risks to public safety.
Three owners sentenced for promoting prostitution through Backpage
A federal judge in Phoenix sentenced the three owners of Backpage, a prostitution website, for offenses related to their promotion of and associated money laundering.
Supreme Court denies Biden-Harris effort to overturn student loan forgiveness injunction
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied an application from the Biden-Harris administration to vacate an injunction that blocks its student-loan forgiveness program. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement following the decision, emphasizing the legal constraints on the federal government regarding unilateral cancellation of student loans.
Attorney General Raoul charges two suburban Chicago residents over fraudulent PPP loans
Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced charges against two suburban Chicago residents for allegedly fraudulently applying for and receiving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Madison County man convicted for possession of child pornography
Attorney General Steve Marshall announced the conviction of Dana Wesley Coffelt, a 47-year-old resident of Huntsville, for possession of child pornography. Coffelt pleaded guilty in Madison County Circuit Court to three counts of possession of obscene matter depicting a person under the age of 17.
Southeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court to hold graduation ceremony
The Southeast Nebraska Adult Drug Court will hold a graduation and celebration ceremony on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. The event will take place at the Saline County District Courtroom located at 204 South High Street in Wilber, NE. Judge Richard Smith will preside over the ceremony.
Maryland woman arrested for allegedly posing as nurse in Delaware
Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced on Monday that a Maryland resident was arrested for allegedly stealing the identity of a registered nurse (RN) and attempting to use those credentials to fraudulently obtain employment in Delaware nursing homes.
Attorney General Drummond criticizes Contingency Review Board meeting on lawsuit settlement
OKLAHOMA CITY (Aug. 28, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is decrying a hastily called meeting of the Contingency Review Board (CRB) today as a sham likely to reject a class-action lawsuit settlement that would save the state many millions of dollars.
Dominican Republic national pleads guilty in fatal human smuggling case
A national of the Dominican Republic pleaded guilty yesterday to his involvement in a deadly human smuggling conspiracy in Puerto Rico.
Court issues opinions on civil malpractice, contracts, post-conviction relief
On August 28, 2024, three significant opinions were issued in appellate cases concerning civil malpractice, contracts, and post-conviction relief.