News from May 2024
Court affirms death benefits for likely COVID victim who worked during outbreak at nursing home
DENVER, Colo. (Legal Newsline) - Another court has ruled COVID-19 can be considered an occupational disease, clearing the way for Workers' Compensation benefits to be paid to employees who suffered from it.
Safe2Tell records second highest reporting month in program history
Safe2Tell, a violence intervention and prevention program, recorded its second highest reporting month in April 2024 with 3,188 reports. According to the report released today, school complaints continued to top the category of reports for the fourth consecutive month.
Ohio AG Yost calls for reversal of federal funding cuts to VOCA
Addressing nearly 1,000 victim advocates at the annual Two Days in May conference, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost called on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to reverse the 41% cut to federal funding for the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (VOCA).
Attorney General Drummond sues pharmaceutical firms over insulin pricing
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 14, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a lawsuit against major diabetic drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) for an alleged unfair and deceptive pricing scheme that has cost Americans billions of dollars.
Texas AG seeks injunction against Biden's Title IX changes
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has submitted an amended complaint and requested a stay of agency action and a preliminary injunction in his lawsuit against the Biden Administration. The lawsuit is aimed at preventing what Paxton sees as an unlawful removal of protections for women in educational institutions under Title IX.
Amanda Thompson appointed as new director of NC State Crime Lab
Attorney General Josh Stein has appointed Amanda Thompson as the new director of the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory. Thompson, who has been serving as the assistant director of administrative operations at the Lab since 2016, was selected after a comprehensive nationwide search. She succeeds Interim Director Leslie Cooley Dismukes.
Washington Supreme Court to visit Sunnyside High School for outreach program
The Washington Supreme Court is set to visit Sunnyside High School on May 15-16, where the justices will engage with students and faculty, answer public inquiries, and hear two oral arguments starting at 9 a.m. on May 16. This visit forms part of an outreach program that sees the justices travel to two or three communities around Washington each year to hear real cases and interact with community members about the judicial branch.
Florida sees influx of out-of-state officers during National Police Week
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—As National Police Week commences, Attorney General Ashley Moody has shared initiatives and programs that contribute to Florida's reputation as the most pro-law enforcement state in the nation. Since July 2022, over 1,200 officers have relocated from various parts of the country to serve in Florida. The influx of law enforcement professionals is attributed to strong leadership support and public endorsement, along with attractive incentives such as sign-on bonuses, scholarships, home-buying assistance and more.
Cherokee County DSS Case: Guilty Verdict Announced by Attorney General
Attorney General Josh Stein announced today that a Macon County jury has found Scott Lindsay guilty on 12 counts of felony obstruction of justice and two counts of misdemeanor obstruction of justice. The case was prosecuted by Special Prosecution Section head and Special Deputy Attorney General Boz Zellinger, along with Special Deputy Attorney General Arneatha James.
Brown County Drug & DUI Court announces graduation ceremony
PIERRE, S.D.—The Brown County Drug & DUI Court team has extended an invitation to the public to join them in celebrating the commendable achievements of participants who have successfully completed the program. A graduation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CDT in the Brown County Community Room located in the basement of the Brown County Courthouse, 25 Market St., Aberdeen.
Attorney general files lawsuit against Altice over unlawful network enhancement fee
Attorney General William Tong has initiated a lawsuit against Altice/Optimum Online, seeking to cease and recoup millions of dollars in unlawfully charged “Network Enhancement Fees.” The complaint also aims to hold the company accountable for undisclosed limitations regarding advertised speeds.
Deputy Attorney General addresses Election Threats Task Force on evolving technology-driven crimes
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently addressed the Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the critical role it plays in safeguarding democratic processes and those who facilitate them.
Miyares joins lawsuit against Biden's electric-truck mandate
Attorney General Jason Miyares has joined a lawsuit aimed at halting the Biden Administration's electric-vehicle mandate for truck manufacturers. The legal action was initiated by a coalition of 24 states, which filed a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today.
Oregon DOJ concludes OLCC probe; no criminal charges warranted
In a letter addressed to Governor Tina Kotek, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded its investigation into allegations against employees of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). The employees were accused of improperly using their positions to acquire sought-after bottles of bourbon. However, after an exhaustive investigation, the DOJ has determined that criminal charges are not warranted.
Repeat offender sentenced to prison for drug distribution
RICHMOND, Va. – A man from Hopewell has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Court documents reveal that on Aug. 22, 2022, Hopewell police came across an Audi vehicle stopped within a trailer park's roadway. Upon illuminating the vehicle, the driver, Riezon Mekhi Murphy, 24, turned off his headlights and reversed down the road to a grassy area. At this point, two other individuals who had been seated together in the front passenger seat of the Audi exited the car and raised their hands.
University student charged with hate crime after vandalizing Holocaust memorial
A University of Delaware student, now banned from campus, has been charged with three misdemeanors, including a Hate Crime. The charges follow an incident where she vandalized a Holocaust memorial sponsored by a Jewish student group and launched into an antisemitic tirade.
Arizona Supreme Court grants extended stay on historic abortion law
Attorney General Kris Mayes has issued a statement in response to the Arizona Supreme Court's decision to grant her motion for an additional 90-day stay of the mandate in the case of Planned Parenthood vs. Hazelrigg.
Married couple indicted for alleged contractor fraud scheme in Pueblo
On May 13, 2024, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that a statewide grand jury has returned a 20-count indictment against a married couple for allegedly conducting a contractor fraud scheme in the Pueblo area. The scheme followed a hailstorm in the spring of 2021.
Kabbage Inc. resolves allegations of defrauding Paycheck Protection Program
The Justice Department has announced that Kabbage Inc., a now-bankrupt financial technology company, has agreed to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act (FCA). The company is accused of knowingly submitting thousands of false claims for loan forgiveness, loan guarantees, and processing fees to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in connection with its participation in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Tennessee leads 18-state lawsuit against EEOC overreach
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti of Tennessee is leading a coalition of eighteen states in a lawsuit against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging federal agency overreach. The suit was filed in response to new sexual harassment guidance issued by the EEOC on April 29, 2024, which extends Title VII’s protections against sex-based discrimination to include gender identity.