News from July 2024
Future of Federal Real Estate Digital Summit on July 23, 2024
GSA Leasing and Federal Real Estate Team Leader Robert MacKichan Jr. will speak during a Bisnow virtual seminar exploring the future of federal real estate.
Attorney General James Announces Takedown of Ghost Gun Trafficking Operation in Queens
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced a 625-count indictment charging five individuals for their involvement in a gun trafficking operation that sold dozens of ghost guns, assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in Queens, New York.
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Announces June 2024 Total Gaming Revenue Results
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced the June 2024 total gaming revenue results.
North Dakota seeks applicants for Ethics Commission
Applications are currently being accepted for service on the North Dakota Ethics Commission. Commissioners will serve a four-year term, commencing in September 2024. The deadline for application submission is August 9, 2024.
State AGs urge FHFA to end controversial loan pilot program
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has led a coalition of state attorneys general in sending a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), expressing concerns over their revived pilot program aimed at removing title insurance requirements from certain loans sold to Fannie Mae.
Settlement reached over air law violations at Manitowoc facility
Attorney General Josh Kaul has announced a settlement with Kerry Inc., mandating an $85,000 payment to resolve violations of Wisconsin’s air laws at its liquid smoke manufacturing facility in Manitowoc. The settlement received approval from the Manitowoc County Circuit Court on July 11, 2024.
America First Legal reveals internal emails implicating HHS' actions against Texas’ transition ban
Today, America First Legal (AFL) released documents obtained from its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These documents include internal emails from Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine and his team. The emails indicate the Biden Administration’s decision to continue supporting child transgender surgeries and intensifying HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigations in Texas following the state’s ban on such treatments in March 2022.
Attorney General James addresses recent Clinton Hill shootings
New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement in response to two shootings that occurred last night in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill neighborhood.
Coalition opposes rescheduling of marijuana under federal Controlled Substances Act
Lincoln -- On Monday, Attorney General Mike Hilgers led a coalition of eleven states in submitting a public comment letter opposing the Biden Administration’s proposal to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III on the federal Controlled Substances Act.
Chinese national indicted for massive importation of fentanyl precursors
A Chinese national has been indicted for his involvement in a conspiracy to import what is believed to be the largest amount of fentanyl precursors ever found in the Southern District of Texas, and one of the largest in the United States.
Attorney General Raoul issues statement on release of body camera footage
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement regarding the release of officer-worn body camera footage showing the fatal July 6 shooting of Sonya Massey by a former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy.
Southern California dentist sentenced for $800K Medi-Cal fraud
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the sentencing of a Southern California dentist and two employees for a fraudulent billing scheme that defrauded the state Medi-Cal program of nearly $800,000. Dr. Magaly Mercedes Velasquez and her spouse, Maria Jose Talavera, who served as an office manager, were sentenced by the Riverside County Superior Court to 364 days in jail and ordered to pay restitution amounting to $770,238 to Medi-Cal. Jessica Monique Perez, the billing manager, will be placed on probation for two years. The prosecution was conducted by the California...
Kelly Crane of Soldotna Convicted and Sentenced on Multiple Counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor
Superior Court Judge Jason Gist sentenced Kelly Crane to a composite 64 years in jail with 12 years suspended, 15 years of supervised probation, and sex offender registration and treatment.
Attorney General Marshall Calls on Congress to Safeguard Election Integrity
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and the attorneys general of 21 other states urged the U.S. Senate to join the U.S. House and immediately support the Safeguard American Voter and Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
America First Legal investigates Biden HHS over whistleblower prosecution
America First Legal (AFL) has initiated an investigation into the role of the Biden Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the prosecution of Texas Children’s Hospital whistleblower Dr. Eithan Haim.
California DOJ releases report on officer-involved shooting
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), released a report today on Che Noe Zuniga Jr.’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Bakersfield, California, on August 7, 2021. The incident involved officers from the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD). The report is part of the California Department of Justice's (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. It provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ's findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded...
North Dakota delegation attends Uniform Law Commission meeting in Boston
North Dakota commissioners are attending the Uniform Law Commission's annual meeting in Boston, which runs through July 25.
Kentucky man charged with federal hate crime against Palestinian American
A Kentucky man was arrested today and charged with federal hate crime and firearms offenses for threatening a Palestinian American man with a loaded gun.
Anchorage doctor and husband charged with healthcare fraud exceeding $10 million
A federal grand jury in Alaska has indicted an Anchorage doctor and her husband on charges of health care fraud and tax evasion.
Former CEO pleads guilty to $14 million payroll tax fraud scheme
A New Hampshire man pleaded guilty today to not paying more than $14 million in employment taxes and not filing personal tax returns.