News from May 2024
Manchin switches party affiliation to independent
CHARLESTON – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin no long has a “D” after his name.
Lawyer hoarding settlement fees for himself, lawsuit says
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida lawyer won't pay his clients' outstanding medical bills and conceals their settlements, a health care provider is alleging.
Airbnb charging too much for insurance, lawsuit says
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit alleges Airbnb's "assistance fee" on travel insurance is a mechanism intended to allow the company to charge more than allowed by California law.
Can't change the rules now, Texas court tells fen-phen lawyer sued by thousands of clients
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Having convinced a federal court to dismiss a class action by thousands of disgruntled former clients because the cases were different, Texas attorney George Fleming can’t now argue the cases should be dismissed because he won a favorable verdict in one of them.
California extends 'take-home' asbestos liability to case of brother who lived elsewhere
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California Supreme Court decision limiting “take-home” asbestos liability to people who live in the same house doesn’t preclude a man from suing over claims he was exposed to asbestos when visiting at his brother’s house.
Judge, Publix turn away class action lawyers
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers who frequently team to pursue novel theories of consumer deception at the grocery store have seen their complaint against Publix tossed.
Wilmington man faces life sentence after child pornography conviction
A Wilmington man could spend the rest of his life in prison following a series of felony convictions in a child pornography case. Sheldon Lee, 64, was convicted on May 16 of 50 felonies — 25 counts of Dealing in Child Pornography and 25 counts of Sex Offender Unlawful Sexual Conduct Against a Child.
Philadelphia man sentenced for forging documents to avoid child support payments
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a Philadelphia man will serve up to 12 years in prison and pay restitution for forging documents to avoid child support obligations. The defendant, Damien Hartsfield, was convicted in January of felony counts of forgery, theft by deception, identity theft, conspiracy, perjury, and misdemeanor false swearing.
Raceland man arrested for juvenile pornography by cyber crime unit
Attorney General Liz Murrill's Cyber Crime Unit has taken a Raceland resident into custody on charges related to juvenile pornography. Gabe Carl Leblanc, 43, was arrested on May 31, 2024, at his home on Cypress Street. He faces one count of violating LA R.S. 14:81.1 B(9), which pertains to the production of pornography involving juveniles under the age of thirteen.
Providence woman charged with falsifying signatures in congressional election
A Providence woman has been charged in connection with falsifying nomination signatures during the 2023 First Congressional District Special Election. The announcement was made today by Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and Colonel Darnell S. Weaver.
Attorney General Rokita warns Indiana cities over 'sanctuary' policies
Attorney General Todd Rokita cautioned local officials in several Indiana cities and counties that he will pursue legal action against them after July 1 if they refuse to follow laws aimed at apprehending illegal immigrants.
Idaho AG leads multi-state lawsuit against EPA over new water rights rule
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador, alongside attorneys general from North Dakota, Alaska, Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina, and South Dakota, has filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Biden Administration. The coalition aims to protect state rights over water and wildlife resources. Idaho and North Dakota are leading the group in their complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota.
Justice Department official visits Connecticut promoting expanded access-to-justice initiatives
Director Rachel Rossi of the Justice Department’s Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) traveled to Connecticut this week as part of the office’s mission to ensure access to justice across the civil justice system, expand access to counsel, and support innovative efforts to improve the judiciary and court administration. During her visit, Director Rossi met with U.S. Attorney Vanessa Avery for the District of Connecticut to commend her leadership on access to justice issues in the state and discuss future collaboration.
Minnesota man sentenced to 20 years for 2005 Madison bike path sexual assault
MADISON, Wis. – Dane County Circuit Court Judge Ellen Berz sentenced Aidison Yang, 43, of Eagan, Minnesota, to 20 years initial confinement in the Wisconsin State Prison System and 20 years of extended supervision for a 2005 sexual assault on a Madison bike path. A jury found Mr. Yang guilty of three counts of First Degree Sexual Assault by Use or Threat of Use of a Dangerous Weapon in February 2024.
Attorney General warns Arkansans about new texting scam targeting travelers
On May 31, 2024, Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement alerting consumers in Arkansas to a new texting scam that has recently emerged. The scam, known as "smishing"—a combination of 'SMS' (texts) and 'phishing'—involves scammers attempting to steal personal information and trick individuals into sending money by impersonating a state toll service.
Texas Supreme Court upholds pro-life law in unanimous decision
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton successfully defended Texas’s pro-life laws, securing a unanimous decision from the Supreme Court of Texas upholding the Human Life Protection Act.
State trooper convicted of vehicular homicide for fatal crash in Tioga County
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a Pennsylvania State Trooper was convicted Friday of vehicular homicide for causing a fatal crash last year when he was off-duty, on his way to work, in Tioga County.
Second Judicial District announces district court vacancy
The Second Judicial District Nominating Commission has announced a vacancy for the position of district judge in Denver County, following the death of Hon. Christine Antoun on May 25, 2024. The commission will convene on June 21, 2024, at the Denver City and County building to interview and select nominees for appointment by the governor.
Texas pharmacy owner sentenced for illegal kickbacks and money laundering
A Texas pharmacy owner was sentenced today to four years and four months in prison and ordered to pay over $59 million in restitution for paying illegal kickbacks and engaging in a money laundering conspiracy.
Attorney General Raoul files brief defending Title IX protections against sex discrimination
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 16 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief today defending Title IX, the landmark law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education, from a federal court challenge that threatens students' rights nationwide.