LEGAL NEWSLINE

The Justice Department announced today that it has secured an agreement with the Florida State Attorney’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit (SAO) to resolve allegations of violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) announced today that it has obtained internal meeting notes from the now-dissolved Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “Homeland Intelligence Experts Group.” AFL plans to release these documents in a multi-part series titled #DeepStateDiaries.

The Justice Department announced today that Joseph Pedaline and YLP LLC, who owned and managed residential rental properties in Youngstown, Ohio, have agreed to pay $199,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging violations of the Fair Housing Act. The department’s lawsuit alleged that Joseph Pedaline sexually harassed female tenants from at least 2009 to at least 2020, and that YLP LLC was liable for Pedaline’s conduct during the period it owned and managed the properties.

Northampton County will launch LETI program, becoming 30th county to join Office of Attorney General’s diversion initiative

California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the "State of Pride Report" today in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The report outlines the California Department of Justice's (DOJ) efforts to support and defend LGBTQ+ rights amidst ongoing threats to justice and equality.

The Buckeye Institute has filed an amicus brief in the case of Wilson v. Hawaii, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by the Hawaii Supreme Court concerning Second Amendment rights. The filing calls for the U.S. Supreme Court to assert its authority over state courts regarding constitutional interpretations.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced that John Demaria, 45, was convicted of two counts of sexual exploitation of a child—a felony punishable by up to ten years in prison. Demaria was sentenced on June 17, 2024, by District Judge Dane H. Watkins.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Trey Cameron Leonard, 22, of Sugar Hill, GA, on two charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office made the arrest.

Chicago – As the summer concert and festival season is underway across Illinois, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued guidance to help residents avoid common ticket scams.

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, top executives from leading Michigan retailers, and members of the FORCE Team convened today for a roundtable discussion on combatting organized retail crime. The meeting highlighted the partnership between the first-in-the-nation unit and retail businesses and discussed building on the early successes of the FORCE Team as it marks its first year of operations. Representatives from Kroger, Meijer, Ulta Beauty, and Walmart joined Attorney General Nessel in Lansing to commend the unit’s achievements.

LANSING – Former corrections officer Christopher Cluley, 48, of Mount Pleasant, was sentenced to one year of probation for the in-custody assault of an Isabella County inmate. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the sentencing today. Cluley pled no contest to one count each of aggravated assault and willful neglect of duty in April.

The Department of Attorney General filed an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance and Discontinuance in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court in Ingham County, resolving an investigation into alleged unlawful business practices by EcoShield Pest Solutions Detroit, LLC (EcoShield), Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. The Assurance addresses the investigation and potential litigation of alleged violations of the Michigan Home Solicitation Sales Act (HSSA) and the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA).

The Washington State Supreme Court has affirmed Attorney General Bob Ferguson's authority to pursue legal action aimed at safeguarding the civil and constitutional rights of residents. The ruling specifically addresses a series of unlawful evictions conducted by law enforcement officers in Sunnyside.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), released a report on Joseph Thomas Tracy IV’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Hemet, California, on January 18, 2022. The incident involved the Gang Impact Team of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, which includes officers from Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Riverside Police Department, and Hemet Police Department. The report is part of the California Department of Justice's (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices....

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has secured an 18-year prison sentence for Ricardo Villarroel Duerto, the owner of a pool company found guilty of defrauding nearly 100 Florida homeowners. Villarroel, who operated Villa Pavers and Pools, was sentenced by Judge William S. Orth on charges of racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering.

Attorney General Labrador Issues Statement on Water Curtailment Agreement

New York Attorney General Letitia James, Governor Kathy Hochul, and bill sponsors Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Nily Rozic announced the signing of pioneering legislation aimed at combating addictive social media feeds and protecting children online. The bill signing ceremony featured union leaders, advocates, parents, and children who contributed to advancing these bills during the legislative session.

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that the Office of the Attorney General has conditionally approved a transaction allowing Prospect Medical Holdings to transfer ownership of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital to The Centurion Foundation. This decision follows a detailed review process under Rhode Island’s Hospital Conversions Act (HCA).

The Tennessee Supreme Court upheld the decision of a Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility hearing panel to disbar a Davidson County attorney following three criminal convictions. These convictions stemmed from the attorney’s conduct while representing a client in post-divorce proceedings.

The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune for the fourth consecutive year, having previously received the award in 2023, 2022, and 2021. The Office earned special recognition for scoring highest on questions of leadership among midsize employers.