News from May 2024
Federal court issues permanent injunction against Connecticut tax preparer
The U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut issued a permanent injunction today against Juan Carlos Frias, a Connecticut tax return preparer, and his businesses: USA Tax LLC, Multi Latin Services LLC, and Connecticut Tax and Services Inc. The court order permanently bars them from preparing federal tax returns for others.
America First Legal files complaint against Pennsylvania over voter registration practices
On May 21, 2024, America First Legal (AFL) and Zimolong, LLC, filed an administrative complaint with the Pennsylvania Department of State. The complaint alleges violations of Title III of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002, citing that the state's voter registration system allows ineligible voters, including non-citizens, to register and vote.
Interview schedule announced for Iowa Court of Appeals vacancy
Eighteen Iowans have applied with the State Judicial Nominating Commission to fill the vacancy on the Iowa Court of Appeals arising from the retirement of Chief Judge Thomas Bower.
Drummond announces initiative recognizing outstanding law enforcement with Officer of the Year awards
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today that law enforcement supervisors across Oklahoma are invited to submit nominations for the Attorney General’s inaugural Officer of the Year Award initiative. A statewide award winner and four regional award winners will be honored in a December ceremony at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
Texas man sentenced for sex trafficking conspiracy
A Texas man was sentenced today to 22 years and six months in prison for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.
Bedford County man convicted of aggravated assault for slashing throat outside bar
HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a Bedford County man has been convicted of felony aggravated assault for slashing a man’s throat outside a bar in 2021. A Bedford County jury returned its verdict Friday evening against Brian David Taylor, following testimony regarding the Nov. 5, 2021 incident outside Rookeez bar in Bedford.
Arkansas AG announces free cybersecurity summit featuring CISA director
Attorney General Griffin Announces Cybersecurity Summit October 7-8 Featuring Top Federal Cybersecurity Expert
Justice Department sues Oklahoma over state immigration law HB 4156
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the State of Oklahoma, challenging House Bill 4156 (HB 4156) under the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and Foreign Commerce Clause. The federal government holds the authority to regulate immigration and manage international borders, as established by Congress through a comprehensive immigration framework governing noncitizens' entry, reentry, and presence.
Drummond announces initiative recognizing outstanding law enforcement with Officer of the Year awards
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today that law enforcement supervisors across Oklahoma are invited to submit nominations for the Attorney General’s inaugural Officer of the Year Award initiative. A statewide award winner and four regional award winners will be honored in a December ceremony at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
Justice Department reaches agreement with Anoka over "crime-free" housing policy
The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a complaint and proposed consent decree to resolve allegations that the city of Anoka, Minnesota, violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act by denying tenants with mental health disabilities an equal opportunity to receive emergency assistance.
Georgia man sentenced to prison for laundering over $4.5M
A Georgia man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for laundering more than $4.5 million derived from business email compromise (BEC) schemes, including a scheme that defrauded a health care benefit program, and romance fraud schemes.
Paxton sues over EEOC guidance on gender identity accommodations
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, and other officials within the Biden Administration. The lawsuit aims to halt what Paxton describes as an unlawful attempt to redefine federal law through agency guidance.
Attorney General issues cease-and-desist letters over abortion pill ads
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin announced today that he has sent cease and desist letters to New York-based Choices Women’s Medical Center, Inc., and Aid Access of the Netherlands. The letters pertain to potential violations of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA) concerning abortion pill marketing and sales.
California Supreme Court hears oral arguments in nine cases
The California Supreme Court on Tuesday heard oral arguments in three cases from its San Francisco courtroom. Oral arguments will continue Wednesday in six additional cases.
Special election announced for judicial nominating commissioner in District 2B
Notice has been given of a vacancy in the office of Elective Judicial Nominating Commissioner for Judicial Election District 2B. Nominating petitions are now available for individuals who wish to have their name listed on the ballot to serve the remainder of the term for this position, which expires on January 31, 2030.
Attorney General Raoul urges swift implementation of proposed student loan debt relief regulations
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul has joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general urging the U.S. Department of Education to swiftly implement its recently proposed regulations aimed at providing relief for federal student loan borrowers.
Justice Department partners with Stanford for AI competition workshop
The Justice Department and Stanford University will hold a public workshop on May 30 to discuss the state of competition across the Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology industry from the chip to the app.
Texas petrochemical firm fined over $30M after pleading guilty to Clean Air Act violation
The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the filing of a felony criminal charge and related civil complaint and consent decree under the Clean Air Act (CAA) against TPC Group LLC, a Texas petrochemical company. TPC Group entered a plea of guilty to a one-count information charging the company with a violation of the Clean Air Act before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zack Hawthorn for the Eastern District of Texas.
As a result of AG Ferguson’s lawsuit, Teva begins delivery of more than 54,000 free naloxone kits to Washington
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that the first of more than 54,000 naloxone overdose reversal kits started arriving in Washington.
Attorney General Clark Thanks Legislature for Explicitly Criminalizing Nonconsensual ‘Deepfake’ Pornography
Attorney General Charity Clark thanked the Legislature for explicitly codifying the crime of nonconsensual “deepfake” pornography.