News from February 2024
Investigative Report Released for June 2022 Fatal Vehicle Crash in Baltimore City
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General released its investigative report of the June 21, 2022, police involved fatal vehicle crash in Baltimore City.
Attorney General Bonta Announces Massive Fentanyl Seizure of More Than 720,000 Pills in San Diego County
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a joint operation in San Diego County resulting in the felony arrest of a suspect and the seizure of 720,000 fentanyl pills. On February 9, 2024, Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Fentanyl Abatement & Suppression Team (FAST), in collaboration with the California Department of Justice San Diego Fentanyl Enforcement Program (SD FEP).
Attorney General Mayes Urges Arizonans to Beware of Online Romance Scams
Attorney General Kris Mayes urges Arizonans of all ages to protect themselves from online romance scams. Romance scammers create fake online profiles and search through dating apps, dating sites, and social media platforms such as Facebook or Instagram looking for victims.
Attorney General Steve Marshall Announces Court of Criminal Appeals Upholds Murder Conviction in Wilcox County
Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the murder conviction of Eric Roshell Gaines, 32, of Camden, Alabama, for murder.
Kobach warns against FAA’s DEI-focused hiring practices
The FAA's hiring practices could pose significant risks to American travelers, attorneys general from 11 states warned in a joint letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker.
Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors Charge Fentanyl Dealer with Manslaughter
Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced that her Office of Statewide Prosecution is charging a drug dealer with manslaughter for peddling fentanyl along the Treasure Coast. The accused, Sean Lamont Bray, is alleged to have sold lethal amounts of fentanyl to a woman, resulting in her tragic overdose death.In response to the investigation findings, Attorney General Moody stated, “This drug dealer knowingly sold lethal amounts of fentanyl to a woman that ultimately resulted in her death. Every drug trafficker should know, in Florida, if you traffic fentanyl and kill...
Attorney General Kaul and 15 Other AGs Defend Clean Air Act Regulations
Attorney General Kaul, along with 15 other attorneys general, has intervened in State of West Virginia, et al. v. EPA to defend federal regulations governing state plans to limit air pollution from existing power plants. Attorney General Kaul emphasized the importance of the regulations, stating, “The changes that the states challenging these regulations are seeking would weaken efforts to limit air pollution. We must not take a step backward in protecting clean air and combating the climate crisis.”The litigation, initially brought by West Virginia and other states, aims...
Webinar: What’s Next in Washington? Federal Energy Permitting Reform Update
Join BakerHostetler’s Federal Policy and Energy Industry teams for a webinar discussing energy policy during this election year and whether Congress can find a way to cut through polarizing issues and reach agreement on much needed permitting reform.
SGR’s Jim Bikoff, Bruce McDonald and Scott Woldow Recognized on “WTR 1000” List of World’s Leading Trademark Professionals of 2024; SGR Recognized as a Firm in Washington, D.C. Metro
Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that Intellectual Property Partners James Bikoff, Bruce McDonald and Scott Woldow have been recognized on the World Trademark Review 1000 list (WTR 1000) of the world’s leading trademark professionals of 2024.
Wilson Elser in Top 40 of the 2023 Leopard Firm Index Ranking of 200 Law Firms
Wilson Elser has garnered the Leopard Top 200 badge, which recognizes firms for their consistent Leopard Law Firm Index (LLFI) rankings throughout the year, demonstrating firm health.
Reed Smith launches Insured Success, a new podcast series
Global law firm Reed Smith’s Insured Success podcast series provides cutting-edge commentary and timely insights on a range of insurance coverage issues affecting commercial policyholders.
International Wealth Considerations on February 22, 2024
Private Wealth Services attorney Eduardo Arista will participate in the 18th Annual International Tax Conference organized by the College of Public Accountants of Mexico.
Navigating the Buy-Side Deal Maze: Strategies for Sourcing Transactions & Reaching the Close on February 22, 2024
Private Equity attorney Tyson Bickley will be speaking as a panelist during the Nashville Smart Business Dealmakers Conference in an engaging session that will delve into the potential challenges that can impact a buy-side deal, the changing terrain of deal-making and strategies for identifying lucrative opportunities.
Ramsey County Veterans Treatment Court marks decade with graduation ceremony
The Ramsey County Veterans Treatment Court is marking its 10-year anniversary with a graduation ceremony at the Ramsey County Courthouse on Friday, Feb. 23.
Attorney General Moody Warns Floridians About Digital Check Manipulation Scheme
Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a Consumer Alert warning Floridians about the dangers of digital check manipulation schemes, commonly known as check cooking. In a recent statement, Attorney General Moody highlighted the severity of the issue, stating, “Fraudsters are now digitally altering stolen checks to fill their own bank accounts while draining those of the victims.”The warning comes in the wake of an investigation in which the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, led by Attorney General Moody, assisted law enforcement in apprehending a Tampa man involved in...
Officer-Involved Critical Incident in Winnebago County, Wisconsin Under Investigation
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is investigating an officer-involved critical incident in Winnebago County, Wis., that occurred on the evening of February 2, 2024.According to the report, Sergeant Bryce LaLuzerne of the North Fond du Lac Police Department initiated a traffic stop in the Village of North Fond du Lac that led to a pursuit. The vehicle was eventually stopped after a Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s deputy deployed a tire deflation device on Interstate 41. The driver, identified as Lawrence M. Drennan, exited the...
Attorney General Brenna Bird Announces Top Ten Consumer Complaints of 2023
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird today announced the top ten consumer complaints received by the Attorney General’s office in 2023.
Body-Worn Camera Footage Release Delayed in January’s InCustody Death Investigation in Baltimore County
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General today announced the release of the body-worn camera footage of the in-custody death in Baltimore County on January 10, 2024, has been delayed.
JPMorgan Quits Climate Action 100+
Wall Street giant JPMorgan announced today they will be withdrawing from Climate Action 100+, a $68 trillion investor coalition focused on climate change. In 2023, Attorney General Raúl Labrador and 20 other Attorneys General sent a letter of concern to more than 50 Wall Street asset managers, bringing attention to the legal obligations of asset managers to make sound fiscal decisions for their clients.
Attorney General Bonta Announces Charges Against an Organized Retail Crime Ringleader for Scheme Spanning 21 Counties and Nearly $8 Million in Losses
California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced charges against the ringleader of an organized retail crime scheme that spanned 21 counties and involved an estimated $8 million worth of beauty products, as well as multiple members of her organized retail crime ring.