News from May 2024
Missouri AG demands documents after alleged retaliation against NFL player's faith remarks
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has called on Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas to provide all documents, records, and communications linked to his office's X (formerly Twitter) post. This demand comes in response to the post which was seen as retaliatory against Kansas City Chief’s kicker Harrison Butker for comments he made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College where he openly discussed his Catholic faith.
Dominican national sentenced for role in international cocaine trafficking conspiracy
A Dominican Republic national was sentenced yesterday to a prison term of 15 years and four months for his involvement in an international conspiracy aimed at distributing 385 kilograms of cocaine for illegal importation into the United States.
AG Todd Rokita alerts Hoosiers about April's recalled products
Attorney General Todd Rokita is raising awareness among Indiana residents about the consumer protection concerns related to products that were recalled in April. His office is urging consumers to avail themselves of the remedies available for those who have purchased items that could potentially be harmful to their families.
Florida launches statewide human trafficking hotline amid concerns over national service
Florida has officially launched a statewide human trafficking reporting number. This move comes in response to concerns regarding the National Human Trafficking Hotline, operated by Polaris, which was reportedly failing to share timely suspected human trafficking tips with local law enforcement.
Burlington resident arraigned on felony count of luring a child
The Attorney General’s Office has announced the arraignment of Robert Charbonneau, a 50-year-old resident of Burlington, Vermont, on one felony count of Luring a Child. The charge against Charbonneau is the outcome of an undercover investigation conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) and the Hartford Police Department.
Tennessee Supreme Court to hold session at Boys' State in Cookeville
The Tennessee Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on May 22, 2024, in front of a group of accomplished high school seniors at the Tennessee American Legion Boys State at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. This event is part of the Court’s SCALES program, an initiative launched by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 1995 with the aim of educating high school students about the state's legal system and the functions of the judicial branch.
Attorney General shuts down fraudulent charity exploiting military service members
Attorney General Phil Weiser has announced a settlement with First Choice Processing, its owner Durand Kelby Tovar, and his associated companies following an investigation into fraudulent activities. The investigation revealed that Tovar was operating an unregistered charity that falsely claimed to support active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.
Justice Department secures agreement to cease HIV discriminatory law enforcement
The Justice Department has announced that the Shelby County, Tennessee, District Attorney General (DA) has reached an agreement to halt the prosecution of individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) under Tennessee’s aggravated prostitution law. The DA will also implement reforms to rectify discrimination against people living with HIV who have been subjected to discriminatory and harsher penalties under this law.
Investment company chairman and consultant convicted in bribery scheme
A federal jury in Charlotte, North Carolina has convicted Greg E. Lindberg, founder and chairman of multinational investment company Eli Global LLC, and his consultant John D. Gray, for their involvement in a bribery scheme. The conviction came after a retrial that focused on the duo's orchestration of improper campaign contributions and manipulation of independent expenditure accounts.
Idaho Attorney General announces consent decree with northern hospitals
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced a Consent Decree to conclude his investigation into potential violations of Idaho’s antitrust law, the Idaho Competition Act, by Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene and Syringa Hospital and Clinics in Grangeville. The Attorney General's office initiated the investigation in 2023, working alongside the Federal Trade Commission.
Oklahoma AG's office launches online senior fraud complaint form
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 16, 2024) – Suspected incidents of fraud targeting older Oklahomans can now be reported to the Office of the Attorney General via an online senior fraud complaint form available at oag.ok.gov.
Homeland Security and Justice Department announce new process for efficient immigration hearings
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland have announced a new Recent Arrivals (RA) Docket process to expedite the resolution of immigration cases for certain noncitizen single adults who attempt irregular crossings between ports of entry at the Southwest border. The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice aim to swiftly impose consequences, including removal, on those without a legal basis to remain in the United States and grant immigration relief or protections more promptly to noncitizens with valid claims.
Coalition lawsuit against Biden's electric vehicle mandates filed by Attorney General Marshall
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has initiated two lawsuits aimed at halting the Biden Administration and the State of California from enforcing electric-vehicle mandates on truck owners and operators nationwide. The legal actions involve a coalition of 24 states challenging the Biden Administration's new regulation of emissions from heavy-duty vehicles in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Officer-involved death in Beloit under investigation by Wisconsin DOJ
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is currently investigating an officer-involved death that occurred in the City of Beloit, Wis. on the afternoon of Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Nevada ballot initiative to cap attorney contingency fees withstands legal challenge
Carson City District Court Judge James Russell dismissed arguments against a ballot initiative in Nevada that would cap attorney contingency fees at 20%, ruling that the initiative complies with state requirements. The ruling was disclosed in a May 10 court filing in the First Judicial District Court of the State of Nevada.
Twin Falls Man Arrested for Alleged Sexual Exploitation of a Child
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested twenty-year-old Dylan Ray on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024, for 15 counts of sexual exploitation of a child.
Attorney General Bird Announces Statewide Task Force to Combat Antisemitism
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced the launch of the Attorney General’s office’s statewide antisemitism task force in a press conference at the Iowa Holocaust Memorial.
Study finds lawyers concerned about AI
CHARLESTON — A recent study that looked at different careers found that lawyers are the most cautious regarding artificial intelligence technologies.
Dollar Tree cinnamon has lead in it, lawsuit alleges
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Dollar Tree is facing a class action lawsuit brought over cinnamon it buys from a co-defendant and sells and allegedly contains a dangerous amount of lead.
Lawyer tries New York for lawsuit over 'reef-conscious' sunscreen
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Big Lots sunscreen purporting to be reef-friendly is the subject of a New York class action lawsuit that alleges the coral reef around the state's coast has become damaged.