News published on Legal Newsline in October 2024

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outman Pepper client Spruce Power Holding Corporation (NYSE: SPRU), a leading owner and operator of distributed solar energy assets across the United States, recently announced that certain of its subsidiaries have closed on a $130 million non-recourse debt facility (the “New Debt Facility”) provided by Barings LLC.

The Providence County Grand Jury has returned several indictments, as reported on October 18, 2024. Yunior Sanchez, a 25-year-old resident of Central Falls, Rhode Island, faces multiple charges. He is indicted on three counts of first-degree robbery, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of conspiracy, and one count of possession of a firearm without a license. These alleged incidents took place in the City of Providence around May 12, 2024. The investigation was conducted by the Providence Police Department. Sanchez is set to be arraigned on October 23,...

Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Marshall Miller recently addressed the New York City Bar Association Compliance Institute, outlining significant updates in corporate criminal enforcement. Miller emphasized the Department of Justice's focus on individual accountability within corporate crime, noting that "corporate crimes are committed by real people."

Attorney General William Tong, along with a coalition of 24 attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief in the case of U.S. v. Idaho. The brief is aimed at maintaining access to emergency abortion care in Idaho by urging the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to uphold a preliminary injunction against Idaho's restrictive abortion ban. This ban does not allow exceptions for emergency abortion situations.

Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in submitting an amicus brief in the case of U.S. v. Idaho.

The Washington Supreme Court is set to return to its historic home at the Temple of Justice on the Capitol Campus in Olympia after a two-year renovation.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced that the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office has successfully compelled United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to disclose information regarding the release of detained migrants, including those convicted of serious crimes. The documents obtained reveal a previously undisclosed plan by ICE to transport thousands of "single adult" immigration detainees into Tennessee, which was halted due to opposition from state officials and legal action.

A federal grand jury has indicted Nathaniel James McGuire, a 20-year-old from Santa Maria, California, on charges related to a bomb attack at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The indictment includes three counts and follows an incident on September 25 when McGuire allegedly threw an explosive device into the courthouse lobby, injuring several individuals.

A federal grand jury in the Southern District of Florida has indicted Raul Gorrin Belisario, a Venezuelan television news network owner, for his involvement in an alleged $1.2 billion money laundering scheme. The funds were reportedly obtained corruptly from Venezuela’s state-owned energy company, Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), with bribes paid to Venezuelan officials.

To mark the beginning of Red Ribbon Week 2024, Attorney General Ashley Moody has called on parents to discuss the dangers of substance abuse with their children. Red Ribbon Week is recognized as the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the United States, with over 80 million Americans participating annually by wearing a red ribbon. Despite these efforts, more than 100,000 individuals die each year from drug overdoses, largely due to illicit fentanyl trafficked across the U.S.-Mexico border. Studies indicate that children under 14 represent the fastest-growing age group...

A federal court in Miami has found Gerald Vito, James Eleby, and Kwame Thomas in contempt for violating a permanent injunction that barred Vito and Eleby from preparing or assisting in the preparation of federal tax returns for others. The order was issued after it was demonstrated that they continued to prepare tax returns despite the injunction.

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, along with a coalition of 24 attorneys general, has submitted an amicus brief in the case United States v. Idaho.

Attorney General Chris Carr announced the conviction of Anthony Charles Holmes, 33, from Cleveland, Ohio, for human trafficking after transporting a 16-year-old girl from South Carolina to Atlanta for commercial sex acts. The victim was found on August 2, 2023, following a traffic stop by the Greene County Sheriff's Office. A Greene County jury found Holmes guilty on October 21, 2024, after a five-day trial. Charges included Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude and Trafficking in Cocaine. Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2024.

The Trial Court Vacancy Commission is set to review five candidates for a circuit court judge position in the 4th Judicial District. This district covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier counties. The meeting will take place on November 12, 2024, in Sevierville.

The Justice Department's Election Threats Task Force (ETTF) has announced progress in four cases involving threats to election personnel. The cases, which highlight ongoing concerns about the safety of those involved in the electoral process, involve defendants from Colorado, Alabama, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

North Carolina's Attorney General, Josh Stein, announced a new law that mandates ticket sellers to display the total price of tickets upfront, including all fees. This legislation aims to prevent hidden fees from surprising consumers at checkout. The law is part of provision S607 and affects major ticket sellers such as Ticketmaster and SeatGeek.

The Iowa Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in Marshalltown on November 19. The session will be held at the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center, located at Marshalltown High School, and will commence at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Margaret Anne Ashby, a former employee of a Department of Defense component agency, has pleaded guilty to mishandling classified materials. The 26-year-old from Henderson, Nevada, admitted to the unauthorized removal of sensitive documents during her employment in the Southern District of Georgia.

The Office of the Attorney General has released evidence, including the original autopsy report, to counter claims by a coalition opposing the execution of Robert Roberson. Roberson was convicted in 2003 for the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis.