News from March 2024
AFL Files Amended Complaint Against Biden and Blinken Over Taylor Force Act Violation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - America First Legal (AFL) has taken action against President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, filing a First Amended Complaint to enforce the Taylor Force Act and halt U.S. funding of Palestinian terrorism. The complaint centers on the Biden Administration's alleged illegal reversal of the Trump Administration's ban on Palestinian funding, resulting in the expenditure of significant sums of U.S. tax dollars towards entities supporting terrorism.The amended complaint asserts that the Biden Administration knowingly subsidized the Palestinian...
Big Stone Gap Man Sentenced to Nearly 9 Years in Prison for Meth Possession
A Big Stone Gap, Virginia man, Joshua Derrick Ellis Vanover, has been sentenced to 107 months in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. Vanover, 35, was found with more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in his car after fleeing from police during a traffic stop."Vanover admitted he fled from police because he knew he was wanted, had drugs on him, and did not want to go back to jail," the court documents revealed.United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares, and Craig B. Kailimai, Special...
Attorney General Bonta Announces Felony Charges Against Three Suspects in an Organized Retail Crime Ring that Targeted High-End Retail Stores
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced charges against three people allegedly involved in organized retail theft, robbery, and grand theft carried out at high-end retail stores throughout California.
Attorney General Coleman and Jefferson Commonwealth’s Attorney File Appeal to Continue Prosecuting Convicted Felon for Gun Possession
Attorney General Russell Coleman and Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina D. Whethers announced today they are appealing a recent Jefferson Circuit Court ruling, which would allow a convicted drug trafficker to possess a firearm.
Attorney General Kobach Joins Coalition Against Biden’s Attack on LNG
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach joined a coalition of 16 states led by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in a lawsuit against President Joe Biden and the United States Department of Energy over the unlawful decision to ban new liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
Carr Challenges EPA’s Burdensome Emissions Rule for Oil and Gas Producers
Attorney General Chris Carr has filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to block a new rule that seeks to impose unlawful and burdensome emissions standards on oil and gas producers.
Paul James Jr. Sentenced to 104.5 Years for Sexual Assault and Other Convictions
Bethel Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Peters sentenced 48-year-old Paul James Jr., of Alakanuk, to serve 104.5 years of incarceration after being convicted of two counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree, one count of Incest, one count of Assault in the Second Degree, four counts of Furnishing Alcohol to Minors in a Local Option Community while being a sex offender, and one count of Manufacturing Alcohol in a Local Option Community.
Bob Bodansky, Michael Herbst, Suzie Saxman, and Russ Robertson to Speak at Practical Law Webinar "Complying with the Corporate Transparency Act: Understanding the who, what, and when of reporting" on March 26, 2024
Bob Bodansky, Suzie Saxman, and Michael Herbst, partners in Seyfarth's Corporate department, and Russ Robertson, partner in the firm's Real Estate department, will serve as speakers in the Practical Law webinar, "Complying with the Corporate Transparency Act: Understanding the who, what, and when of reporting," on March 26.
Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta Recognizes Art Gambill
Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta (PBPA) recently named McGuireWoods Atlanta partner Art Gambill a 2023 “Volunteer of the Year.”
Citywealth Recognizes Troutman Pepper New York Partner Genna Garver Among 2024 Powerwomen Award Winners
Troutman Pepper Partner Genna Garver has received the Champion of the Year (Bronze) award as part of the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards USA 2024.
FinCEN Transparency Initiatives Have Become UBIQUITOUS on March 27, 2024
Tax attorney Alan Granwell will participate in a webinar hosted by STEP Miami, STEP Mid-Atlantic and STEP New York analyzing the most up-to-date Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) transparency initiatives.
Arizona State House, Senate, Chamber file lawsuit against Environmental Protection Agency
Arizona State Senate President Warren Petersen, Arizona State House Speaker Ben Toma, and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stop their new air quality act from being implemented.
Insurance Information Institute announces excessive litigation is raising car insurance rates
The Insurance Information Institute (III) has released a report suggesting that excessive lawsuits are contributing to rising auto insurance rates. The report outlines how practices such as third-party litigation funding and outsized jury verdicts are increasing costs for businesses and consumers.
Rokita's report challenges accuracy of Indiana's COVID-19 data
On the four-year anniversary of Indiana's stay-at-home orders, Attorney General Todd Rokita released a report that questions the accuracy of COVID-19 data used during the pandemic. According to Rokita, "The truth is our government produced and relied on severely flawed data, including inflated death counts and unsound positivity rates, to shape the state’s failed response to the COVID-19 pandemic." He further stated that this led to prolonged lockdowns and mask mandates, impacting both lives and livelihoods.
The Buckeye Institute Calls on SCOTUS to Overturn New York’s Unconstitutional Gun Law
Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute has taken a stand against New York's Conceal Carry Improvement Act, filing an amicus brief in Antonyuk v. James to challenge the constitutionality of the law. Representing Project 21, a national network of black political, civic, and business leaders, The Buckeye Institute is urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case and address the concerns raised by the legislation.Director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, David C. Tryon, highlighted the discriminatory nature of the law, stating, "New York’s new laws to carry firearms are...
Seven Hackers Associated with Chinese Government Charged with Computer Intrusions
The U.S. Department of Justice has unsealed an indictment charging seven nationals of the People’s Republic of China with conspiracy to commit computer intrusions and wire fraud. The hacking group, known as Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (the APT31 Group), was involved in targeting U.S. and foreign critics, businesses, and political officials for approximately 14 years.Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, “The Justice Department will not tolerate efforts by the Chinese government to intimidate Americans who serve the public, silence the dissidents who are protected...
Justice Department Opens Nominations for Annual Award in Community Policing
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the opening of nominations for the Seventh Annual Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service in Community Policing. The awards aim to recognize the efforts of law enforcement officers who actively engage with their communities to promote safety and trust.According to Attorney General Garland, the awards "represent part of the Justice Department’s ongoing commitment to support the nation’s law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe."The Attorney General’s Award...
Man Sentenced for Sending Death Threats to Arizona State Election Official
An Ohio man, Joshua Russell, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for sending death threats to an election official in the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office during Arizona’s primary and general elections. The threats were made between Aug. 2, 2022, and Nov. 15, 2022, through a series of voicemails.Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of protecting election workers, stating, "If you threaten violence against the public servants who administer our elections, there will be consequences."Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General...
Attorney General Moody Launches 2024 Tax Season Scam Series to Protect Floridians from Fraudulent Schemes
Attorney General Ashley Moody has initiated the 2024 Tax Season Scam Series in an effort to assist Floridians in avoiding falling victim to deceitful schemes as Tax Day approaches. In a statement, Moody emphasized the importance of vigilance during tax season, stating, “Scammers may look to exploit the stress many may feel when preparing their taxes to steal personal and financial information. It is crucial to stay on guard against potential schemes—so I am releasing this series to help Floridians avoid falling prey to fraudsters.”Moody highlighted the significance of...
Oasis Legal Finance gets class action against it booted from N.J. court
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A woman who challenged her agreement with Oasis Legal Finance as illegal has been told she filed her lawsuit in the wrong court.