News from 2024
Bonta supports HUD proposal easing access to affordable housing for ex-offenders
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has expressed his support for a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) aimed at reducing barriers to HUD-assisted housing for individuals with past involvement in the criminal-legal system. According to HUD, nearly a third of adult Americans have a criminal record, with approximately eight million such individuals residing in California.
Justice Department forms multi-agency task force targeting illegal e-cigarette sales
The Justice Department and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the creation of a federal multi-agency task force to combat the illegal distribution and sale of e-cigarettes.
Attorney General Marshall leads 23 states against ruling on sex-change operation coverage
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has spearheaded a 23-state coalition challenging a recent Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision. The panel's ruling mandates that employers providing healthcare coverage must include sex-change operations for employees or risk liability under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
New York passes landmark child protection laws targeting online data collection
Following the passage of two bills aimed at protecting children online, New York Attorney General James, Senator Gounardes, Assemblymember Rozic, and Governor Hochul have received widespread praise from unions, community groups, and advocates. The legislation prohibits online sites from collecting and sharing children's personal data and limits addictive features of social media platforms that can harm their mental health and development.
Graphic Communications National Pension Fund agrees to repay excess financial assistance
The Graphic Communications National Pension Fund (NPF) has agreed to repay over $8 million in excess funds received from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) under the Special Financial Assistance Program. This agreement follows a civil settlement.
Governor Healey swears in Gabrielle R. Wolohojian as Associate Justice
BOSTON, MA — Governor Maura Healey today delivered a ceremonial administration of the Oath of Office in the Great Hall of the John Adams Courthouse, swearing in the Honorable Gabrielle R. Wolohojian as Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.
Ninth Circuit upholds AB 5 protections for app-based drivers
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement today following the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit's unanimous decision to uphold AB 5 protections in the case of Olson v. State of California. The court, sitting en banc, affirmed the District Court’s decision and rejected Uber and Postmates’ challenge to AB 5, determining that its application to app-based drivers is rational.
Florida launches cold case playing cards initiative aimed at solving unsolved crimes
Attorney General Ashley Moody, in collaboration with the Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Florida Sheriffs Association, and Florida Department of Corrections, announced the launch of Cold Case Cards at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Each card features a photograph and information about an unsolved homicide or missing-person case. Over 5,000 decks will be distributed to Florida jails and prisons to generate new leads from inmates.
Former corrections sergeant sentenced for civil rights violations
Eric L. Nantell, a former Kentucky corrections sergeant, was sentenced to 84 months in prison followed by two years of supervised release for multiple charges including deprivation of civil rights and obstruction of justice. Nantell was convicted after a four-day trial for failing to intervene during the assault of an inmate, misleading state investigators, and making false statements to an FBI special agent. Six other officers previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their roles in the incident and subsequent cover-up, with three testifying against Nantell.
Attorneys general urge HUD for standardized public housing screening rules
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, alongside a coalition of 13 attorneys general, has urged the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to standardize federal rules for screening public housing applicants with arrest or conviction records.
Office of Justice Programs emphasizes community role in public safety
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) recently highlighted its new mission statement with a series of events and initiatives focused on community-centered public safety strategies.
Attorney General Garland comments on declining violent crime rates
The Justice Department has released a statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland regarding the FBI’s Quarterly Uniform Crime Report, which indicates a decrease in violent and property crime in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Attorneys general sue Biden administration over new coal mining regulations
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s rule that shifts regulatory authority over surface coal mining from states to the federal government. This lawsuit marks the 49th filed by Attorney General Knudsen against the current administration.
Massachusetts project manager convicted in tax conspiracy
A federal jury convicted a Massachusetts man on Friday for conspiring to defraud the United States.
Application deadline set for district court judge vacancy in Tenth Judicial District
LINCOLN -- Supreme Court Justice William B. Cassel announced that the Judicial Nominating Commission for District Judge in the 10th Judicial District will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Adams County Courthouse in Hastings, Nebraska. The commission will review qualifications of candidates to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge Terri S. Harder, effective May 31, 2024.
Bonta amends lawsuit against fossil fuel giants for alleged greenwashing
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed an amended complaint in his lawsuit against five major fossil fuel companies—Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP—and the American Petroleum Institute (API). The amended complaint seeks disgorgement of illegally obtained profits under AB 1366 to compensate Californians for deception and climate change-related harms.
Justice Department secures agreement with Tennessee school district over racial harassment allegations
The Justice Department announced a settlement agreement with Hawkins County Schools in Tennessee to resolve an investigation into allegations of race-based harassment targeting Black students. The investigation, conducted by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, found that incidents of harassment created a racially hostile environment. These incidents included a mock “slave auction” involving Black students, the repeated use of racial slurs by white students, and a “monkey of the month” campaign...
Supreme Court remands Eleventh Circuit ruling in 1996 St. Clair County murder case
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall today commended the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the case of State of Alabama v. Marcus Bernard Williams. Williams, who confessed to the 1996 murder and rape of Melanie Rowell in St. Clair County, was initially sentenced to death. During his appeals, Williams argued that childhood abuse led him to become a "hypersexual" predator, which he claimed should have been presented by his trial counsel as mitigating evidence.
Honduran national sentenced to ten years for drug trafficking and firearms charges
A Honduran national was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. According to court documents, early on the morning of June 20, 2023, officers with the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) responded to a report of an unconscious person in a car and found Delvin Antonio Cruz-Melgar, 25, asleep behind the wheel of a red Dodge that had been involved in a hit-and-run accident about 90 minutes earlier.
4M settlement reached with nursing home chain over alleged resident neglect
BOSTON — Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced a $4 million settlement with Next Step Healthcare, LLC, a Woburn-based long-term care management company operating sixteen nursing homes in Massachusetts. The settlement resolves allegations that Next Step failed to properly staff its facilities, resulting in resident harm and neglect. Most of Next Step's facilities will now be overseen by an independent compliance monitor at the company's expense.