News from June 2024
Attorney General Josh Stein responds to SCOTUS ruling on emergency abortion care
Attorney General Josh Stein today released a statement following the United States Supreme Court's decision to reinstate a preliminary injunction protecting the right of women in Idaho to obtain an abortion when necessary to prevent serious health harms. Attorney General Stein had previously filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the Court to uphold this protection under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
Biden administration allegedly expanded monitoring of political dissent through classified plans
WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) has released the fifth tranche of internal meeting notes from the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) “Homeland Intelligence Experts Group.” These documents were obtained through litigation and form part of AFL's #DeepStateDiaries series.
Arizona's MFCU contributes significantly to national healthcare fraud enforcement action
PHOENIX – The Arizona Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) played a significant role in the annual National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action. The nationwide results of this United States Department of Justice coordinated action were announced earlier today by US Attorney General Merrick Garland. Attorney General Garland highlighted details of two cases brought by the Arizona Attorney General during the focused case charging period from June 10-26, 2024.
Alaska man pleads guilty to threatening US senator
An Alaska man pleaded guilty yesterday to making interstate threats to kidnap and injure a sitting U.S. Senator.
Supreme Court lifts stay allowing temporary relief for emergency abortions in Idaho
Boston — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued a statement in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Moyle v. United States, which dismissed the case as improvidently granted and lifted its stay of an order by the U.S. District Court of the District of Idaho. The decision temporarily allows pregnant individuals in Idaho to receive emergency abortion care while the case proceeds in lower courts. The District Court’s order, now reinstated by the Supreme Court, prohibits Idaho from enforcing its near-total criminal abortion ban when the federal Emergency Medical...
Supreme Court rules against Purdue Pharma's bankruptcy plan
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down Purdue Pharma L.P.'s bankruptcy plan in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma. The ruling found that nonconsensual third-party releases are not authorized under the Bankruptcy Code. Purdue’s plan had granted the Sackler family, owners of Purdue, immunity in exchange for up to $6 billion for claims related to OxyContin's misleading marketing and their role in the opioid crisis.
Clark appointed co-chair of NAAG's Tobacco Committee
Attorney General Charity Clark has been appointed co-chair of the National Association of Attorneys General’s (NAAG) “Tobacco Committee.” The committee's primary mission is to lead a coalition of 52 state and territory attorneys general in their efforts to enforce, defend, administer, and improve the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Additionally, the Tobacco Committee provides leadership on tobacco matters not directly related to the MSA, including vaping.
Justice Department charges 193 defendants in nationwide healthcare fraud crackdown
The Justice Department announced the 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action, resulting in criminal charges against 193 defendants, including 76 medical professionals across 32 federal districts in the United States. The alleged schemes involved approximately $2.75 billion in intended losses and $1.6 billion in actual losses.
Expansion announced for AG's gang prosecution unit into Macon
Attorney General Chris Carr, joined by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Chris Hosey, announced the expansion of the Attorney General’s Gang Prosecution Unit to Macon-Bibb County. The announcement included the hiring of veteran prosecutor Ashton Jordan and seasoned investigator Nathan Shoate. Both will oversee the unit's regional efforts starting July 1, 2024, funded by the state’s FY 2025 budget signed by Governor Brian Kemp in May 2024.
Attorney General Phil Weiser responds to Supreme Court's dismissal of emergency abortion case
June 27, 2024 (DENVER)—Attorney General Phil Weiser released a statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to dismiss a case concerning emergency abortion health care in hospitals.
Virginia businesswoman sentenced for failing to pay employment taxes
A Virginia woman was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for not paying employment taxes to the IRS.
Supreme Court rejects Purdue Pharma's reorganization plan
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected the reorganization plan for Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, which would have released members of the Sackler family from any future liability for claims against them. In a 5-4 vote, the Court ruled that, as part of a bankruptcy reorganization, the law does not allow the bankruptcy court to "discharge claims against a nondebtor without the consent of affected claimants." This means that the Sacklers' liability cannot be released without the consent of all parties to whom they might be liable.
Emily Murphy, Shoko Naruo to Join NAPABA Partners Summit
Thompson Coburn partners Emily Wang Murphy and Shoko Naruo have been selected to participate in the NAPABA Partners Summit for 2024.
Vedder Price Shareholder Gregory Ge Named Recipient of 15th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards
Vedder Price is pleased to announce that Shareholder Gregory Ge been selected as a winner of the 15th Annual Emerging Leaders Awards as announced by The M&A Advisor.
Attorney General Bird Files Appeal to Defend Iowa Immigration Enforcement Law
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird appealed the federal court’s decision to block enforcement of Iowa's immigration law.
Attorney General Labrador Issues Statement on Water Curtailment Agreement
“I am pleased with the results of the negotiations between the groundwater districts and the Surface Water Coalition.
AG Nessel Issues Formal Opinion Clarifying Impact of Conciliation Agreements on Affidavit of Identity Certification
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a formal opinion regarding the impact conciliation agreements that resolve Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCFA) violations have on affidavits of identity.
Children’s Justice Centers: An Inside Look – Part 2
Utah’s Children’s Justice Centers are in nearly every county in the state and are a safe place for abused children to talk about and provide evidence regarding what they’ve been through.
State Grand Jury Declines to Criminally Charge Officers Involved in Fatal Shooting in Fort Lee, N.J., on February 4, 2023
A state grand jury has voted not to file any criminal charges at the conclusion of its deliberations on June 17, 2024 regarding the death of Mohamed Bounaouar, 42, of Las Vegas, Nevada, who was fatally shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey, after an encounter with members of the Fort Lee Police Department on February 4, 2023.
Statement from Attorney General James on Supreme Court Decision Upholding Federal Law Blocking Domestic Abusers from Possessing Guns
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a statement after the United States Supreme Court announced a decision in United States v. Rahimi, reversing the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s decision that a federal law prohibiting persons under a domestic violence restraining order from accessing guns violates the Second Amendment.