News from July 2024
Rep. Issa announces new Litigation Transparency Act of 2024
Rep. Darrell Issa announced the introduction of the Litigation Transparency Act of 2024, which requires the disclosure of third-party litigation financing agreements at the start of civil lawsuits. The bill mandates that investors entitled to receive payment based on the case's outcome be identified early in the legal process.
Settlement reached over environmental law violations at Darlington cheese plant
Attorney General Josh Kaul announced a settlement with Wisconsin Whey Protein Inc. requiring the company to pay $350,000 to resolve violations of Wisconsin’s wastewater and stormwater laws related to its operation of a cheese and whey plant in Darlington, Wis. The Lafayette County Circuit Court approved the settlement on July 11, 2024.
Kentucky man pleads guilty to shooting at Louisville mayor
A Kentucky man pleaded guilty today to firing gunshots at current Louisville, Kentucky, Mayor Craig Greenberg during Greenberg’s 2022 campaign.
Justice Department and FTC extend public comment period on serial acquisitions
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have extended the deadline for public comments on serial acquisitions and roll-up strategies that may harm competition by 60 days. The joint request for information (RFI) aims to gather insights into how corporate actors, including private equity-owned businesses, grow larger—and potentially dominant—through acquisitions of several smaller firms in the same or related business sectors or industries. The new deadline for submitting comments is September 20.
Attorney General Wilson supports Florida's law on sex-modification procedures
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined a 22-state amicus brief supporting Florida's appeal to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeal seeks to enforce a state law regulating sex-modification procedures while an injunction against the law is reviewed. The case in question is Doe v. Surgeon General, State of Florida.
Troutman Pepper Advises Peoples Financial Services Corp. in Merger with FNCB Bancorp, Inc.
Troutman Pepper client Peoples Financial Services Corp. recently announced the completion of the merger of FNCB Bancorp, Inc. with and into Peoples, and the merger of FNCB Bank with and into Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, effective July 1, 2024.
Asbestos lawyers fight fraud lawsuit with anti-SLAPP motion
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The major asbestos law firm Simmons Hanly Conroy is hoping to SLAPP down a lawsuit that accused it of cheating its way to billions of dollars.
Attorney General Kaul announces new accelerant detection canine for Wisconsin DOJ
MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today announced a new addition to the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Canine team with Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC) Bo. Bo joins ADC Tutty as the second ADC in the State of Wisconsin. Bo assists Special Agents and other fire investigators across the state in detecting accelerants at fire scenes. Bo is a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) canine assigned to the Wisconsin DOJ State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Owner sentenced for medicaid fraud involving home health care agency
The owner of a home health care agency found guilty of Medicaid fraud was sentenced today in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
North Dakota Court System seeks Deputy Clerk for Bismarck/Mandan
The North Dakota Court System is seeking applicants for the position of Deputy Clerk of District Court in Bismarck/Mandan, ND. The annual salary for this full-time, regular position is $51,900.00.
Drummond opposes SEC’s attempt to regulate cryptocurrencies
Attorney General Drummond is opposing an initiative by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate cryptocurrencies, which he claims would prevent states from protecting their citizens from scams.
Attorney General's office investigates civilian death involving state police
The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has initiated an investigation into the death of Albert Melendez, Jr., who died on July 16, 2024, following an encounter with members of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Sullivan County.
Ohio Supreme Court orders new trial over Stark County election board's private meetings
The Supreme Court of Ohio has mandated a new trial to determine the legality of the Stark County Board of Elections' private discussions regarding the purchase of voting machines. This decision follows a unanimous opinion rejecting lower court interpretations that permitted closed-door executive sessions for any public property purchase under the Ohio Open Meetings Act.
Twin Falls man arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced that investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested Sergio Martinez, 39, on Thursday, July 18, 2024. Martinez faces four counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
Attorney General comments on execution of Keith Gavin
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement following the execution of Keith Gavin, who was convicted of murder, at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama.
Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit arrests two men in New Orleans
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Cyber Crime Unit recently arrested two New Orleans men on charges related to juvenile pornography.
Sixth Circuit rules in favor of Tennessee's Adult Entertainment Act
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled in favor of the State in Friends of George’s, Inc. v. Mulroy—a case involving a constitutional challenge to Tennessee’s Adult Entertainment Act. Last summer, a federal district court halted enforcement of the law in Shelby County. The Sixth Circuit concluded that the district court was mistaken, explaining that “there is no constitutional interest in exhibiting indecent material to minors.”
FOIA.gov updates tool for easier access to law enforcement records
FOIA.gov, the government’s central resource for information about the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), now includes additional functionality to help users locate commonly requested law enforcement and related records. The FOIA.gov Search Tool was updated to add a “Law Enforcement records” pre-defined user journey that helps the public more quickly locate commonly requested information. This user journey supplements the existing journeys that help users identify agencies with some of the most common types of requested records, including Immigration/Travel records, Tax...
Emergency stay halts Biden administration's student debt cancellation plan
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement today in response to the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals granting an emergency stay in the case of Missouri v. Biden, which again halts the Biden administration’s attempt to cancel student debt.
Branch County man faces trial on multiple charges including alleged sexual assaults
LANSING – Anthony Cuyler, 46, a Branch County resident recently extradited from Mexico, has been bound over to stand trial in the 15th Circuit Court in Branch County. The charges include three counts of First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct, one count of Delivery of Methamphetamine to a Minor, one count of Possession of Methamphetamine, and one count of Possession of Ammunition by a Felon. This was announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.