News from May 2024
Sexual harassment plaintiffs can speak freely after settlements, New Jersey court rules
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Victims of sexual discrimination and harassment are free to tell their stories, even if they signed settlement agreements that stipulated they do not.
Maker of Boeing fuselages resists Texas AG's demand for information
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - A Kansas company that makes fuselages used in Boeing 737s is fighting Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's request for company records.
Lawyer sues Fla. country club after he's not allowed to visit with mother
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A lawyer says he was wrongfully kept from visiting with his mother at a Florida country club and has gone to court.
Kentucky dentist sentenced to 20 years for unlawful opioid distribution
A Kentucky-based dentist, Dr. Jay M. Sadrinia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the unlawful prescription of opioids, including morphine that led to the death of a patient. Court documents and evidence presented at trial revealed that Sadrinia, 61, owned and operated dental clinics in Crescent Springs, Kentucky.
AFL lawsuit exposes political appointees in Biden's DHS
America First Legal (AFL) has obtained employment records from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit. The records reveal detailed information about political appointees in the Biden Administration, including their full names, salaries, titles, and work histories.
Former federal officer indicted for sexual misconduct with inmate
An indictment was unsealed today, charging Kerontrez Lamar Kenon, a former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tallahassee, with sexual acts involving an inmate in federal custody. The indictment alleges that between June and August 2023, Kenon, 22, of Midway, Florida, engaged in sexual acts with an inmate while employed as a correctional officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP).
Times Square machete attacker sentenced to 27 years in prison
Trevor Bickford, a 20-year-old resident of Wells, Maine, has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for his attempted murder of U.S. Government officers and employees during a machete attack on New Year's Eve 2022. The attack took place in Times Square and targeted three New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers. Bickford pleaded guilty to terrorism charges on January 11.
Attorney General Drummond fires state treasurer's counsel over anti-ESG law setback
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 9, 2024) – Expressing disappointment with state Treasurer Todd Russ and his chosen legal counsel, Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today the termination of the outside attorney and the removal of Russ from any decision-making authority in the lawsuit defending Oklahoma’s anti-ESG (environmental, social, and governance) law.
Justice department sues Iowa over controversial immigration law
The U.S. Justice Department has initiated legal proceedings against the State of Iowa, challenging Senate File 2340 (SF 2340) under the Supremacy Clause and Foreign Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution assigns the federal government with the responsibility to regulate immigration and manage international borders. Congress, exercising this authority, has established a comprehensive immigration framework that governs noncitizens' entry into and removal from the United States. The Justice Department argues that SF 2340 is preempted by federal law and...
Justice Department settles race discrimination allegations in Cobb County firefighter hiring
The Justice Department has reached an agreement with Cobb County, Georgia, to resolve allegations that the county violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by employing discriminatory hiring practices against African American firefighter candidates. The alleged discriminatory measures included credit checks and a written exam.
Court rejects Avid Telecom's dismissal attempts in robocall lawsuit
Attorney General Josh Stein announced today that the United States District Court in Arizona has rejected Avid Telecom’s multiple attempts to dismiss and delay a bipartisan, 49-state lawsuit. The suit is against Michael D. Lansky, L.L.C., which operates as Avid Telecom, as well as its owner Michael D. Lansky and vice president Stacey S. Reeves.
South Carolina's Attorney General advocates for judicial reform
Judicial reform, S.1046, is currently on its way to the conference committee, according to Attorney General Alan Wilson. He expressed his views on the matter in a recent statement: "Judicial reform is headed to conference committee. Our judicial selection process desperately needs reform, and we’re almost there. This bill is not perfect, but it is progress. I hope the conference committee members agree and get it to the Governor’s desk soon."
Court rejects Avid Telecom's bid to dismiss illegal robocalls case
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that the United States District Court in Arizona has denied Avid Telecom's multiple attempts to dismiss and delay a bipartisan, 49-state lawsuit. The company is accused of billions of illegal robocalls. The attorneys general are suing Michael D. Lansky, L.L.C., doing business as Avid Telecom, its owner Michael D. Lansky, and its vice president Stacey S. Reeves.
Group of AGs ask appeals court to declare new EPA power plant rule unlawful
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is co-leading a group of 25 AGs asking a federal appeals court to declare a new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule on power plants illegal.
10.25 million settlement over deceptive advertising by cellular providers announced
Attorney General Jason Miyares announced today a 50-jurisdiction settlement of $10.25 million with AT&T Mobility, LLC, Cricket Wireless, LLC, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Cellco Partnership (also known as Verizon Wireless), and TracFone Wireless, Inc. This collective group is referred to as the "Wireless Carriers". The settlement resolves investigations led by state attorneys general into alleged deceptive and misleading advertising practices by these carriers.
10.25 million settlement reached with AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile over deceptive advertising
Attorney General Josh Stein announced today a $10.25 million multistate settlement with wireless carriers AT&T Mobility LLC, Cricket Wireless LLC, T-Mobile USA Inc., Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, and TracFone Wireless Inc. The settlement is the result of an investigation into the carriers' deceptive and misleading advertising practices. North Carolina will receive $220,313.32 from the settlement.
Garfield County judge indicted for drive-by shooting incidents
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 9, 2024) – The Multi-County Grand Jury today indicted Garfield County Associate District Judge Brian Lovell on charges related to a February 2023 drive-by shooting near the town of Bison.
Buckeye Institute Successfully Challenges Cleveland's Taxation of Out-of-State Remote Worker
The Buckeye Institute won a significant victory for its client Dr. Manal Morsy in Morsy v. Gentile (previously Morsy v. Dumas). The City of Cleveland abandoned its appeal in the case and agreed to 1) fully refund the taxes that were illegally taken from Dr. Morsy, 2) pay the interest owed to her according to Cleveland City Ordinance, and 3) reimburse her court costs.
Multistate coalition files petition against EPA's amended risk management program
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 9, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is leading a 14-state coalition in filing a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The petition challenges the EPA’s final rule amending its Risk Management Program (RMP) under the Clean Air Act.
American Airlines to ex-flight attendants: You've already lost in court once
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - American Airlines says it has already defeated claims it tricked flight attendants into retiring early, pointing to their earlier failed lawsuit.