News from September 2024
Pakistani national charged over alleged assassination plot targeting US politician
Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, was indicted yesterday for attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and murder-for-hire. The charges are part of a scheme to assassinate a politician or U.S. government official on American soil. Law enforcement foiled the plot before any attack could be carried out. Merchant, who was previously arrested and charged by complaint in July 2024, is currently detained in federal custody.
Attorney General calls for Surgeon General warning on social media
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general, is calling on lawmakers to pass legislation requiring a U.S. surgeon general warning on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. Raoul and the coalition issued a letter to Congress amid growing scrutiny of social media companies for their role in generational harm to young people’s mental health.
Iowa Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in Harlan
On Tuesday, September 24, the Iowa Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Harlan, Iowa. The proceedings will take place in the Harlan High School auditorium, located at 2102 Durant Street. The oral arguments are open to the public and will commence at 7 p.m.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke addresses Zeta Phi Beta Sorority on civil rights issues
On September 11, 2024, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke addressed the members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. during their Zeta Day on the Hill event. In her remarks, Clarke acknowledged the historical significance and contributions of the sorority, emphasizing its advocacy for social, health, and economic justice.
Ohio appeals court hears arguments on HB 68 ruling
The Tenth District Court of Appeals in Columbus, Ohio, today heard arguments in an appeal concerning a trial court's ruling that upheld the state's ban on medical interventions aimed at transitioning the sex or gender of minors.
Attorney General Garland delivers remarks at September 11 remembrance ceremony
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the Justice Department’s September 11 Remembrance Ceremony on September 11, 2024.
Oklahoma man arrested on federal child pornography charges following AG investigation
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement today regarding the arrest of Austin Norris, 28, of Watts, Oklahoma, on a federal count of receiving or distributing material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Court finds Trump Tower violated environmental laws regarding Chicago River
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today that a Cook County Circuit Court judge granted his office’s motion for summary judgment, finding 401 North Wabash Venture LLC (Trump International Hotel & Tower, known as Trump Tower) violated both the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and Illinois Pollution Control Board regulations. The decision also grants summary judgment to the Sierra Club and Friends of the Chicago River, both plaintiff-intervenors in the case.
California AG urges tech giants to tackle election misinformation
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a letter to executives at eight major social media and artificial intelligence (AI) companies, urging them to address the spread of election misinformation on their platforms. The letter was sent to Alphabet Inc., Meta Platforms, Inc., Microsoft, Inc., Open AI, Inc., Reddit Inc., TikTok Inc., X Corp., and YouTube, Inc.
Investigations and enforcement trends webinar series: key priorities for Q3 2024 on September 12
Against a backdrop of coordinated activity and intense scrutiny from investigators and prosecutors around the globe, general counsel and chief compliance officers face a constant challenge in managing regulatory risk and understanding where to allocate resources.
AG Campbell Leads Multistate Effort To Protect Consumers From Harmful Practices Of Predatory Paycheck Advance Services
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has led a multistate coalition of 14 attorneys general in supporting a proposed rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that would recognize paycheck advance products, which are typically mobile applications marketed as earned wage advances or earned wage access (EWA) products, as consumer loans.
Former Dearborn Heights Man Extradited from Guam to Face Sexual Assault Charges
Jordan Wagner, 30, formerly of Dearborn Heights and most recently residing in Guam, was extradited back to Wayne County to face charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC), announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Sustainable Shipping Finance Seminar on September 12, 2024
We’re excited to share additional agenda details for our upcoming half-day seminar on Sustainable Shipping Finance, hosted in partnership with DNV Maritime Advisory.
DOJ files amended complaint in antitrust suit versus Ticketmaster-Live Nation: 40 states now involved
An antitrust legal action brought by the United States Department of Justice and the attorneys general of now 40 states against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiary Ticketmaster – charging that the companies have created an anticompetitive environment in the live entertainment marketplace – has an amended filing with updated charges, and seeks triple damages under federal anti-monopoly statutes.
Cleveland's Richik Sarkar Co-Authors White Paper on AI’s Role in Future Elections and the Global Fight Against Disinformation
Richik Sarkar, a partner in the Firm’s Cleveland office and a member of DRI’s Center for Law and Public Policy Data Privacy and Protection Working Group, recently co-authored a white paper examining the potential impact of AI on future elections.
Ala. court tosses $3 million verdict over worker's death; Woman was sucked into machine
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - There was no evidence to support a judge’s $3 million verdict against a manufacturing executive accused of removing a safety gate from a plastics-extruding machine, leading to the death of a worker, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled.
Attorney General Alan Wilson leads effort to protect First Amendment rights
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson on Tuesday filed a brief in a First Amendment case aimed at protecting students’ free-speech rights. 21 other states’ attorneys general joined the brief.
Final Report of the Providence County Grand Jury (Reported August 30, 2024)
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation.
Attorney General Raúl Torrez Files Lawsuit Against Snap, Inc. To Protect Children from Sextortion, Sexual Exploitation, and Other Harms
Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced the filing of a lawsuit against Snap, Inc. to protect children from sextortion, sexual exploitation, and harm.
AG Platkin, AG Campbell Lead States in Defending Assault Weapons Law in Cook County, Illinois
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell led a multistate amicus brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in support of Cook County, Illinois, which is continuing to defend its assault weapons ban from a Second Amendment challenge.