News from September 2024
Former California man sentenced for attempting murder outside LA synagogues
A former California resident has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for shooting and wounding two Jewish men last year as they left religious services in Los Angeles. Jaime Tran, 30, previously of Riverside, pleaded guilty on June 3 to two counts of hate crimes with intent to kill and two counts of using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
TD Securities agrees to pay $15M+ for defrauding U.S. Treasuries market
TD Securities (USA) LLC has agreed to a resolution with the Justice Department to settle criminal charges related to a scheme involving unlawful trading in the U.S. Treasuries secondary market. The New York-based securities firm entered into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) and will pay over $15.5 million in penalties, forfeiture, and victim compensation.
Attorney General Marshall challenges ruling on employer liability for sex-change operations
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed an amicus brief with the full Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn a district court decision that would require employers offering healthcare coverage to pay for employees' sex-change operations or face liability under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This decision was initially affirmed by a 2-1 vote from a three-judge panel of the Eleventh Circuit. However, Marshall, representing 23 states, urged the court to convene en banc so all 12 active judges could rehear the case. The Eleventh Circuit...
Montana man sentenced for creating hybrid sheep for captive hunting
A Montana man has been sentenced to six months in prison for committing two felony wildlife crimes related to an almost decade-long effort to create giant sheep hybrids. Arthur “Jack” Schubarth, 81, of Vaughn, is the owner and operator of Sun River Enterprises LLC, also known as Schubarth Ranch. The ranch specializes in alternative livestock such as mountain sheep and goats, primarily for captive hunting operations.
Attorney General secures over $4.6M for small businesses from leasing scheme
New York Attorney General Letitia James has announced that her office has secured over $4.6 million in restitution for small businesses affected by predatory schemes conducted by Northern Leasing affiliates, NLS Equipment Finance LLC (NLS EF) and Leasing Expenses Company, LLC (LEC). These companies rented credit card processing equipment to small businesses and were found to have engaged in illegal practices.
Federal charges filed against inmates for violent crimes at Brooklyn detention center
The Justice Department has announced charges in five cases related to violent incidents at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. The charges include the murders of Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero, an attempted murder, and two assaults that occurred between April and August of this year. All defendants were already detained at MDC on other charges.
Health agencies settle $17M fraud case involving wage parity violations
New York Attorney General Letitia James and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace have announced settlements with two Brooklyn-based home care services agencies, NAE Edison d/b/a Edison Home Health Care of New York, LLC and Assistcare Home Health Services, LLC d/b/a Preferred Home Healthcare of New York, LLC. The agreements address allegations that these agencies defrauded Medicaid and underpaid more than 25,000 employees.
Attorney General Henry warns Pennsylvanians about rising sextortion cyber fraud
Pennsylvania Attorney General Henry has issued a warning to residents about a rising trend in cyber fraud known as sextortion. This crime involves criminals threatening to release explicit images or videos of their targets unless they receive payment.
Justice Department reaches settlement with Aiken County Schools over civil rights concerns
The Justice Department has reached a settlement agreement with the Aiken County Public School District in South Carolina. This agreement addresses concerns that English learner students were not receiving adequate instruction and services.
New law strengthens enforcement against flavored tobacco sales in California
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill (AB) 3218 into law, aimed at bolstering the enforcement of the state's flavored tobacco ban. This legislation grants new authority to the Attorney General's office to impose penalties on sellers who fail to comply with the ban and establishes a list of permissible unflavored tobacco products that can be sold in California.
Arkansas AG sues Google over alleged deceptive practices targeting youth
Attorney General Tim Griffin has announced a lawsuit filed in Phillips County Circuit Court against Google LLC, YouTube LLC, XXVI Holdings, Inc., and their parent company Alphabet, Inc. The suit alleges that these companies engaged in deceptive and unconscionable trade practices in violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA).
Ohio launches statewide human trafficking hotline
Ohio’s first statewide human trafficking hotline is now operational, Attorney General Dave Yost announced today.
Illinois lab owner pleads guilty in $14M COVID-19 testing fraud
An Illinois man has pleaded guilty to his involvement in a COVID-19 testing fraud scheme, according to court documents. Zishan Alvi, 45, of Inverness, owned and operated a laboratory in Chicago that conducted COVID-19 testing. From February 2021 through February 2022, Alvi submitted claims to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for tests that were not performed as billed.
NYC's food delivery law deemed unconstitutional
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York City law that requires food delivery companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats to supply restaurants with customers' personal information is unconstitutional.
Attorney General sues hospital over refusal of emergency abortion care
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California. The lawsuit, submitted to Humboldt County Superior Court, accuses the hospital of violating multiple state laws by refusing to provide emergency abortion care to patients experiencing obstetric emergencies.
United Illuminating seeks another rate hike amid rising electric bills
United Illuminating has announced its intention to seek another rate hike, aiming for $105 million in new revenues. If approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, this increase would raise electric bills by 9.3 percent overall and elevate the distribution rate by 34 percent.
Joseph Makhani's motion dismissed; AG James continues pursuit on Harlem deed theft case
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced that the New York County Supreme Court has denied Joseph Makhani’s motion to dismiss the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) case against him for deed theft. Makhani was indicted in July 2023 for allegedly using forged and falsified documents to steal two Harlem homes valued at over $4.7 million.
America First Legal investigates Biden-Harris Administration over promotion of gender-affirming care
America First Legal (AFL) has initiated an investigation into the Biden-Harris White House and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over their promotion of youth "gender-affirming" care. This term refers to medical interventions such as puberty blockers, sex hormones, and surgeries for transgender youth. The AFL claims these practices may cause irreversible harm to children and adolescents.
Retired justice Jeffrey P. Victory passes away at age 78
The Honorable Justice Jeffrey P. Victory, a retired Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, passed away on Thursday, September 26, 2024, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was 78 years old.
Court rules MCPS may have violated First Amendment by blocking Twitter users
The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland has ruled in favor of America First Legal (AFL) in a lawsuit against Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) and its senior administrative officials. The court found that school officials may have violated the First Amendment by blocking users with dissenting viewpoints from the MCPS “Staff Pride” Twitter account.