News from January 2024
Attorney General Miyares Launches New Television Ad for Operation Ceasefire
Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia has unveiled a new television advertisement as part of the Operation Ceasefire campaign. The 30-second spot, titled "Game Over," aims to raise awareness about the consequences of gun crime in Virginia.In the ad, Attorney General Miyares emphasizes that gun violence is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. He states, "Gun violence is not a game. As your Attorney General, I'm facing it head-on. This public awareness campaign will send a strong message to at-risk youth and repeat offenders that if you commit a gun crime in...
New York Stock Exchange Withdraws Pro-ESG Proposal Following Attorney General Miyares Letter of Protest
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) has withdrawn a proposed rule change that would have allowed it to list "Natural Asset Companies" (NACs) on the exchange, following opposition from a group of attorneys general. NACs are a new type of corporate structure that aims to take land off the market to promote Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies at the expense of economic growth.Attorney General Miyares of Virginia, who led the protest against the proposal, expressed his satisfaction with the NYSE's decision. He stated, "The NYSE withdrawing their proposal is a...
Three other states, D.C., DOJ join NCAA transfer rule case
CHARLESTON — Three other states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Department of Justice have joined a bipartisan multistate coalition in a lawsuit challenging the NCAA’s Transfer Eligibility Rule.
Morrisey, other AGs ask U.S. Supreme Court to reverse Colorado Trump ballot disqualification
WASHINGTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is co-leading an amicus brief with Indiana asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision from Colorado that kept former President Donald Trump off the ballot for that state’s presidential primary ballot.
Wrongful death lawsuit blames Mass. hospital for fall
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The estate of a man who fell and died at a Massachusetts hospital has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
Ohio Supreme Court denies bid to vacate conviction despite victim's recantation
The Supreme Court of Ohio has denied an attempt by Eric Johnson to vacate his attempted murder conviction, following a 4-3 decision.
Lawsuit struck against doctor who delayed antivenom for snakebite victim
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Parents who wanted $1 million in compensation for the suffering of their daughter after she was bitten by a rattlesnake have no case against the emergency-room doctor who refused to immediately administer antivenom, the Texas Supreme Court ruled.
FirstEnergy bribery suspect facing seizure of $8 million
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - A man accused of accepting a multimillion-dollar bribe from FirstEnergy in a scheme that also sent the former speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives to jail may face the seizure of $8 million after the Ohio Supreme Court reversed an appellate ruling striking down a court order attaching his assets.
Arkansas preschool faces lawsuit over convicted child molester
FORT SMITH, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - An Arkansas preschool faces a lawsuit that says it allowed a convicted child molester to continue assaulting minors.
Goodwill sued by employee who interviewed in men's suit, came to work in dress and wig
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Goodwill faces a discrimination lawsuit brought by an employee with a "gender nonconforming style of dress."
Rokita returns $81M in unclaimed property, urges Hoosiers to check for missing funds
Attorney General Todd Rokita has successfully reunited Indiana residents with a record-breaking $81 million in unclaimed property for the year 2023. The Attorney General encourages individuals to visit IndianaUnclaimed.gov to check if they have any unclaimed money.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Ends Litigation with Former Employees
Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced the end of a long-standing employment lawsuit against his office by four former employees. In a statement released by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), Paxton expressed that the decision to end the litigation was made in the best interests of the State of Texas and to avoid wasting taxpayer resources.Paxton highlighted that last year, the OAG had already chosen to settle the case with the plaintiffs and their attorneys. However, the plaintiffs withdrew from the settlement after Paxton was fully acquitted in an impeachment...
Attorney General James Warns New Yorkers Against Price Gouging Amid Winter Storm in Western New York
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert warning businesses against price gouging of essential items amid the winter storm, which will bring heavy wind and lake effect snow to Western New York and other parts of the state.
Arianna Goodman Named in 2024 Best Lawyers Under 40 by D Magazine
Arianna Goodman, a Shareholder in Vedder Price’s Government Investigations & White Collar Defense group and part of the firm’s Dallas office, has been named to D Magazine’s 2024 Best Lawyers Under 40 list.
Virginia Lawyers Weekly Names Troutman Pepper Partner Judy Jagdmann Among 2024 Influential Women of Law
Judith “Judy” Jagdmann, a partner in Troutman Pepper’s top-ranked State Attorneys General and Energy practice areas, has been named among Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s 2024 Influential Women of Law.
C-Suite Executives Committed to Inclusion, Equity and Diversity Despite Backlash and Legal Challenges, Littler Survey Finds
Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has released its Inclusion, Equity and Diversity (IE&D) C-Suite Survey Report, completed by more than 320 C-suite executives across the United States.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Pushes Back Against Biden Administration's Demand to End Border Security Measures
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has responded to a cease-and-desist letter from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which demanded that Texas end its enhanced border security measures in Shelby Park, Eagle Pass. The letter, sent on January 14, requested compliance by January 17, and threatened further escalation if Texas did not comply.The Texas Military Department had taken steps on January 11 to secure Shelby Park in order to protect public safety and address structural degradation that had occurred. However, DHS alleged that the increased security measures led...
Attorney General Ashley Moody Warns About Rise in Deaths from Dangerous Designer Drug
Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning to Floridians about the increasing number of deaths across the country caused by a dangerous designer drug known as bromazolam. This potent benzodiazepine is gaining popularity and is often mixed with illicit fentanyl, a deadly combination. Bromazolam is classified as a depressant drug that induces sedation and relaxation, but its side effects can be severe, including loss of coordination, drowsiness, respiratory depression, coma, and even death.According to the Center for Forensic Science Research and Education (CFSRE),...
Court lets private school expel students over 'woke' complaints from their parents
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - A Charlotte, N.C. private school was within its rights to expel the children of parents who accused the school of advancing “woke” ideology and pursuing diversity at the expense of academic performance, a North Carolina appeals court ruled.
Attorney General's Operation Ceasefire Secures 12 Year Sentence for Cocaine Trafficking by Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization
Attorney General Jason Miyares has announced that a Brownsville, Texas man has been sentenced to 150 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to possess and distribute nearly 40 kilograms of cocaine. This conviction and sentencing is a result of the Attorney General's Operation Ceasefire initiative, which aims to address gun and gang violence through prosecution and prevention.The man, Carlos Alfonso Gonzalez, agreed with a Mexico-based source of supply to transport a load of cocaine from Houston, Texas to Richmond, Virginia. He picked up the cocaine in...