News from June 2024
Funds allocated to combat youth vaping epidemic on Long Island
New York Attorney General Letitia James has allocated over $16.4 million to combat youth vaping on Long Island. This distribution is part of a larger $462 million multistate settlement with JUUL Labs Inc. for its role in the rise of underage e-cigarette use nationwide.
Attorney General Garland criticizes House vote on H. Res. 1292
The Justice Department issued a statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland regarding the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote on H. Res. 1292.
Rhode Island court orders Prospect Medical Holdings to pay $17M in unpaid bills
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued a statement in response to a Rhode Island Superior Court decision ordering Prospect Medical Holdings to pay $17 million in unpaid bills.
Attorneys general secure $700M settlement with J&J over talc product claims
Attorney General Josh Stein led a bipartisan coalition of 43 attorneys general in reaching a $700 million nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson to resolve allegations of deceptive marketing regarding the safety and purity of its talc-containing baby and body powder products. The settlement, pending judicial approval, requires Johnson & Johnson to cease manufacturing and selling these products in the United States. North Carolina will receive $27 million from this agreement, which Attorney General Stein recommends using for women’s cancer research.
Settlement reached over alleged deceptive marketing by Johnson & Johnson
Carson City, NV — Attorney General Aaron Ford announced today that he and 42 other attorneys general have reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products containing talc. As part of this settlement, pending judicial approval, Nevada will receive $6,131,236.22.
27M awarded to NYC for combatting youth vaping epidemic
New York Attorney General Letitia James today distributed $27.1 million to New York City from a historic $462 million multistate settlement secured from JUUL Labs Inc. for its role in the youth vaping epidemic. The state of New York will receive a total of $112.7 million through this settlement, which will be distributed to every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support programs aimed at reducing and preventing underage vaping.
Attorney General secures 27-year sentence for major fentanyl trafficker
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has secured a 27-year prison sentence for Robert Cox, a fentanyl trafficker involved in transporting hundreds of grams of the drug into Florida. Cox was identified as the ringleader and primary source within a drug-trafficking organization. During the investigation, authorities discovered over 306 grams of fentanyl in Cox’s vehicle.
OVW hosts pre-application session for restorative practices pilot sites
OVW conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program solicitation. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed this program’s requirements, discussed the solicitation, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.
Governor receives two applications for judicial vacancy in Montgomery and Robertson counties
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission began accepting applications for a chancellor vacancy in the 19th Judicial District, which includes Montgomery and Robertson counties, on May 24, 2024. After the June 11, 2024 deadline, two candidates had applied, leaving the Commission unable to provide the governor with the names of three persons qualified to fill the vacancy in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 17-4-308(h).
Indiana secures $18 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over talc product claims
Indiana is set to receive $18 million as part of a settlement Attorney General Todd Rokita reached with pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson. The payout aims to resolve allegations of deceptive advertising in the company’s marketing of baby powder and body powder products that contain the mineral talc.
California pharmacist sentenced for $1 million Medicare fraud scheme
A California man was sentenced to two years in prison for submitting more than $1 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for prescription drugs that were never dispensed to beneficiaries.
Tennessee Supreme Court reinstates three-year suspension for Knoxville attorney
In an opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed a finding of multiple ethical violations by Knoxville attorney Loring Justice and reinstated a three-year suspension imposed by a hearing panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility.
Tax & Wealth Planning Attorney Giselle Alexander Joins Fox Rothschild in Atlanta
Fox Rothschild is pleased to welcome Giselle C. Alexander to the Atlanta office as counsel in the Taxation & Wealth Planning Department.
AG Platkin, Division of Consumer Affairs Announce Settlement with Verizon Resolving an Investigation into the Company’s Marketing and Sales of Fios Services in New Jersey
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs (“Division”) announced today that Verizon New Jersey, Inc. (“Verizon”) finalized a settlement agreement resolving the Division’s investigation into whether the company violated New Jersey’s consumer protection laws in connection with the marketing and sale of its Fios services.
Thomas Humphrey Sentenced for Second-Degree Murder of Linda Tufts
New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella, New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark Hall, and Goffstown Police Chief Eric Sereno announce that Thomas Humphrey was sentenced today for his Second-Degree Murder of Linda Tufts.
Attorney General's Office Announces Charges Against Lawrence Man For Drug Trafficking, Gun Possession
The Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced charges today against Jose Manuel Ortiz Lopez, 38, of Lawrence, for Trafficking Fentanyl, 200 grams or more; Trafficking Cocaine, 200 grams or more; Possession of a Firearm Without a Firearm Identification (FID) Card; Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card; and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.
Chambers and Partners Recognizes Duane Morris Attorneys and Practices
Duane Morris LLP is pleased to announce that it has been ranked by three Chambers and Partners regional guides of “leading lawyers for business”—Chambers USA, Chambers Global and Chambers Asia-Pacific, as well as the Chambers HNW guide of “the world’s leading high net worth advisers.”
Reed Smith advised Trivest Partners on strategic growth investment in Dubin Research & Consulting
Global law firm Reed Smith served as counsel to Trivest Partners, a Florida-based private equity firm, on its strategic growth investment in Dubin Research & Consulting (DRC), a trial consulting and litigation advisory firm assisting global law firms, corporate counsels & government agencies in complex, high-stakes legal matters.
Maui Court Upholds Governor Green’s Emergency Proclamation On Affordable Housing
Second Circuit Court Judge Peter T. Cahill issued judgment in favor of Governor Josh Green, M.D., and the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), in a lawsuit that sought to, among other things, invalidate Governor Green’s emergency proclamation on affordable housing.
Interim Report of the Providence County Grand Jury (Reported June 4, 2024)
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation.