News from September 2024
Attorney General warns Louisiana residents about price gouging ahead of storm Francine
Attorney General Liz Murrill has issued a warning to Louisiana residents regarding potential price gouging in the wake of the impending storm, Francine. Price gouging, defined as charging prices for goods or services that exceed those ordinarily charged in the same market area before a state of emergency, is illegal under Louisiana law.
Attorney General Ellison secures relief for immigrants misled by legal firm
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement securing refunds for dozens of clients, primarily Somali and Ethiopian, who retained immigration legal services from Daniel Patrick Brown and DPB Legal, PLLC. Between 2021 and 2023, DPB Legal accepted 100 clients seeking asylum in the U.S. but provided incorrect information regarding their eligibility for work authorization permits.
Attorney General Bonta supports CFPB's new rules on pre-foreclosure mortgage servicing
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 19 other attorneys general, has submitted a comment letter supporting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposed rules on pre-foreclosure mortgage servicing requirements. The proposed regulations aim to provide new foreclosure safeguards for homeowners struggling with mortgage payments and ensure critical information is available in languages borrowers understand.
Justice Department marks quarter-century milestone for Professional Responsibility Advisory Office
The mission of the Justice Department is to uphold the rule of law, keep the country safe, and protect civil rights. For 25 years, the Professional Responsibility Advisory Office (PRAO) has assisted department attorneys in carrying out this mission with high standards of professionalism.
Judges in Richfield to determine need for grand jury
Richfield, Utah — The next regularly scheduled meeting of Utah’s grand jury panel of judges will be on Thursday, October 2024, at the Richfield 6th District Courthouse, located at 845 East 300 North, Richfield UT, 84701.
Wisconsin announces major interstate unclaimed property litigation settlement
The Wisconsin Department of Justice and Department of Revenue, along with a bipartisan coalition of 30 states, have announced a settlement that concludes the outstanding damages phase of an unclaimed property dispute before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 2023, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Arkansas and its coalition partners, determining that unclaimed official checks issued by MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. are governed by the Federal Disposition Act.
North Carolina auto parts seller fined $10M over emissions defeat device scheme
North Carolina automotive parts manufacturer and seller, Rudy’s Performance Parts Inc. (Rudy’s), and its owner, Aaron Rudolf, have agreed to pay a total of $10 million in criminal fines and civil penalties for manufacturing, selling, and installing devices known as “defeat devices” used to remove or disable required emissions controls in motor vehicles.
OIP hosts workshop on FOIA backlog reduction best practices
On July 31, 2024, the Office of Information Policy (OIP) hosted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Best Practices Workshop for agency FOIA professionals focused on creating and implementing backlog reduction plans. A summary of the best practices discussed is now available on OIP’s Best Practices Workshop Series page.
California DOJ releases findings on Guillermo De Jesus Medina shooting
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), released a report on Guillermo De Jesus Medina’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Culver City, California, on December 18, 2022. The incident involved officers from the Culver City Police Department (CCPD). The report is part of the California Department of Justice's (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. The report provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ's findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ...
Attorneys general urge Congress for surgeon general warnings on social media
In a letter to Congress, Attorney General Gentner Drummond and 41 other attorneys general have urged lawmakers to pass legislation requiring a U.S. surgeon general warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. The call comes amid increasing scrutiny of social media companies for their impact on young people's mental health.
Coalition urges Congress for mandatory warning labels on social media
New York Attorney General Letitia James today co-led a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in urging Congress to implement warning labels on social media platforms as recommended by the United States Surgeon General. A surgeon general’s warning label, which requires congressional authorization, would serve as a regular reminder of social media’s significant mental health harms for adolescents. This letter is part of Attorney General James’ ongoing leadership in the effort to protect children from emerging technologies, particularly addictive algorithms employed by...
Iowa Judicial Branch launches Constitution Day resource page for students
Students and teachers can now access a comprehensive resource for understanding the United States and Iowa Constitutions. The Constitution Day 2024 page on the Iowa Judicial Branch website features a constitutional case argued before the Iowa Supreme Court, along with videos and podcasts. This initiative is a collaboration between the judicial branch and The Iowa State Bar Association and is available at https://www.iowacourts.gov/iowa-courts/supreme-court/constitution-day-2024.
Oakland County man sentenced for defrauding small businesses out of thousands
Denny DiCapo, 64, of Rochester Hills, was sentenced to 5 to 20 years’ incarceration yesterday by Judge Kwame Rowe in the 6th Circuit Court in Oakland County for stealing $26,000 in business transactions, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. DiCapo pled guilty as charged last year to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise and six counts of Larceny by Conversion, $1,000 to $20,000.
Former Williamsport finance director charged with felony theft
HARRISBURG – Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that a former Williamsport city administrator has been charged with felony counts of theft and tampering with records for misuse of state and federal funding intended to benefit River Valley Transit.
Attorney General Todd Rokita offers election participation guidance to Indiana's religious leaders
In the midst of the election season, Attorney General Todd Rokita announced today that his office has offered guidance to religious leaders and churches in Indiana about how they can legally participate in activities available to all Americans.
America First Legal investigates Biden-Harris administration’s role in Brazilian social media censorship
America First Legal (AFL) has initiated an investigation into the Biden-Harris Administration's involvement in social media censorship by Brazil's leftist government. The inquiry focuses on the roles of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and U.S. Department of Commerce.
Court approves $275K settlement over boxer's death during debut fight
The Ohio Court of Claims has approved a $275,000 settlement for the family of a boxer who died from head injuries sustained during his professional debut in Youngstown. The boxer's family had filed a $25 million lawsuit against the Ohio Athletic Commission (OAC) in 2017, alleging negligence and recklessness in licensing and assigning officials to the event.
Attorneys general push for surgeon general warnings on social media
In a letter sent to Congress, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG), along with a bipartisan coalition of 42 state attorneys general, urged lawmakers to pass legislation requiring U.S. surgeon general warnings on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. This call comes amid increasing scrutiny of social media companies for their impact on young people's mental health.
Attorneys general urge Congress for surgeon general warnings on social media
RICHMOND, VA – In a letter to Congress, Attorney General Jason S. Miyares and 41 other attorneys general have called on lawmakers to pass legislation requiring a U.S. surgeon general warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. The letter comes amidst growing scrutiny of social media companies for their role in generational harm to young people’s mental health.
New Mexico DOJ arrests Perry Pool for possession of child sexual abuse materials
Special Agents from the New Mexico Department of Justice’s (NMDOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit have arrested and charged Perry Pool with possession of sexual exploitation of children under the age of 13.