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Attorney General Moody Announces Arrest for Financial Exploitation of Florida Senior
Attorney General Ashley Moody's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has announced the arrest of Ira Roberts for financially exploiting an elderly Escambia resident. Roberts was found to have taken more than $17,000 from the senior's bank account over an 18-month period, using the funds for personal bills and purchases from various stores.Moody expressed her dismay at the situation, stating, "This man, while serving in a position of trust as a power of attorney, stole more than $17,000 from a senior victim's bank account to use on himself. It is shameful that instead of faithfully...
DOJ Publishes New Rule to Update Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Firearms Dealer
The Justice Department has taken a significant step towards clarifying the regulations around the sale of firearms. The department announced the submission of the “Engaged in the Business” Final Rule to the Federal Register. This new rule aims to define the circumstances under which an individual is considered to be 'engaged in the business' of dealing in firearms. The primary goal of this rule is to enhance compliance with the federal background check requirement for firearm sales by federal firearms licensees.In a statement, the Justice Department highlighted the...
Company sued for making Mexican-style ice cream in California wins
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A controversial class action lawyer is not be able to sue the maker of Mexican-style frozen treats because they are made in California.
The Buckeye Institute Urges SCOTUS to Limit State Police Powers
Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute has taken a stand by filing an amicus brief in Norris v. Stanley, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to address a misinterpretation of Jacobson v. Massachusetts that has expanded government authority over medical treatments.In the amicus brief, David C. Tryon, the director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of protecting individual rights in the face of government overreach. "The government is not the all-knowing purveyor of truth and should not be given deferential treatment when it wants to infringe on...
Justice Department Updates Definition of “Engaged in the Business” as a Firearms Dealer
The Justice Department has unveiled a new rule aimed at updating the definition of “engaged in the business” as a firearms dealer in order to enhance compliance with federal background check requirements for firearm sales. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the significance of the regulation, stating, “Under this regulation, it will not matter if guns are sold on the internet, at a gun show, or at a brick-and-mortar store: if you sell guns predominantly to earn a profit, you must be licensed, and you must conduct background checks.”Deputy Attorney General Lisa...
Sen. Scott: 'Now is the wrong time to play political games that limit access to credit’
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution on April 8 to overturn the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) rule limiting credit card “late fees.”
Social media firms brace for lawsuits after Florida enacts law banning kids from platforms
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to sign legislation that bans children under 14 years old from social media platforms – and puts in place new online restrictions on 14- to 15-year-olds – may spark litigation over the new law, critics say.
The Buckeye Institute Reacts to Governor DeWine’s State of the State Speech
Columbus, OH – Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, reacted to Governor Mike DeWine’s State of the State speech on April 10, 2024.Hederman expressed his views on various aspects of the Governor's speech. He commended Governor DeWine's emphasis on education, stating, "Governor DeWine started his speech highlighting the importance of education and reading for Ohio’s children." He also acknowledged the efforts made in the previous year regarding universal school choice while emphasizing...
Attorney General Moody Addresses Law Enforcement Officers at State Capitol During 2024 Torch Run
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody today addressed law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes at the Florida Capitol during the 2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run, benefiting Special Olympics Florida. State and local law enforcement officers participated in a two-mile run this morning in Tallahassee up to the Capitol. The Law Enforcement Torch Run is the largest annual public relations and fundraising event for Special Olympics Florida, with thousands of law enforcement officers and Special Olympics athletes running hundreds of miles throughout the...
Bad news for lawyers suing The Children's Place over PFAS
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The maker of children's school uniforms has defeated a proposed class action lawsuit over the alleged presence of chemicals known as PFAS.
Attorney General Kaul Supports the EPA’s Listing of Nine PFAS Compounds as Hazardous Constituents
Attorney General Josh Kaul has expressed his support for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's move to designate nine PFAS compounds as hazardous constituents under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). In a comment letter submitted alongside a coalition of 12 states, Kaul emphasized the importance of taking action to address PFAS contamination.“The EPA’s proposal to list these chemicals as hazardous constituents under RCRA would facilitate the cleanup of PFAS contamination,” Attorney General Kaul stated. “We must use the tools available under state and...
Principal Drug and Weapons Supplier for MS-13 in Honduras Arrested and Extradited for Racketeering, Narcotics, and Firearms Offenses
An indictment was unsealed today charging David Campbell, also known as Viejo Dan and Don David, 57, of Honduras, one of the principal narcotics and weapons suppliers to MS-13 in Honduras, with racketeering, narcotics, and firearms offenses. Campbell was presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan federal court after being extradited yesterday from Honduras. In addition to Campbell, the superseding indictment unsealed today also charges Yulan Andony Archaga Carías, also known as Alexander Mendoza and Porky, 42, of Honduras, the top leader of...
Alabama Man Charged with Detonating an Explosive Device Outside of Alabama Attorney General’s Office
An Alabama man, Kyle Benjamin Douglas Calvert, 26, has been charged with detonating an explosive device outside of the Alabama Attorney General's Office in downtown Montgomery. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland expressed gratitude towards law enforcement, stating, "Thanks to the work of the FBI and our state and local law enforcement partners, this defendant is being held accountable for allegedly detonating an explosive device outside of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office."FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the collaborative effort in identifying and arresting...
The Buckeye Institute Testifies on Ohio House Bill 50 to Address Recidivism Challenges
Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate Community Revitalization Committee on Tuesday, highlighting the significance of the policies outlined in Ohio House Bill 50 aimed at aiding the reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society while ensuring community safety.During the testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing recidivism challenges. Lawson praised the bill for introducing a certificate of qualification for housing (CQH) that will assist in...
Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force 2024 Report
In the latest update from the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force (CFETF), significant progress has been made in combating fraudulent activities related to the pandemic. According to the report released on Apr 9, 2024, more than 3,500 defendants have been charged with federal crimes.The enforcement efforts have also led to the recovery of over $1.4 billion in seized and forfeited funds from the CARES Act, along with more than 400 civil settlements and judgments. The CFETF members have been relentless in their pursuit of justice, building a comprehensive program to...
The Buckeye Institute Testifies on Policies Addressing Recidivism and Public Safety in Ohio SB 198
Columbus, OH – The Buckeye Institute testified before the Ohio Senate Small Business and Economic Opportunity Committee on the policies in Ohio Senate Bill 198, which focus on helping soon-to-be-released individuals reintegrate successfully into society after incarceration. In his testimony, Greg R. Lawson, a research fellow at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the importance of post-release employment in reducing recidivism, stating that "post-release employment is the most predictive factor of recidivism." He highlighted the significance of assisting individuals in...
Boeing granted dismissal of lawsuit blaming it for love triangle murder-suicide
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Boeing has received a favorable ruling from a federal judge that potentially stops a lawsuit blaming it for a murder-suicide near its plant in Renton, Wash.
COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force Releases 2024 Report
The Justice Department's COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force (CFETF) has released its 2024 report showcasing the significant efforts made in combating pandemic-related fraud. According to Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, the task force has charged over 3,500 defendants and seized or forfeited more than $1.4 billion in stolen COVID-19 relief funds.Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco emphasized the importance of continuing the fight against fraud, stating, "the time is now to ensure law enforcement has what it needs to finish the job." She called for an extension of...
Attorney General Moody Challenges Biden's Student Loan Plan in Court
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with a coalition of five other state attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration’s latest student loan plan, labeling it as an attempt to burden Americans with someone else's debt.In a statement, Attorney General Moody criticized the Biden administration, stating, “Last year, the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s illegal attempt to force Americans to pay off someone else’s debt. Now, Biden thumbs his nose at the court like he has done with so many issues, including immigration, and does...
Thousands of Machine Guns and Sniper Rifles Seized en Route from Iran to Yemen Transferred to Ukrainian Armed Forces
On April 4, the United States completed the transfer of a significant cache of weapons and ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces. The armaments, which included over 5,000 AK-47s, machine guns, sniper rifles, RPG-7s, and more than 500,000 rounds of ammunition, were seized by U.S. Central Command and partner naval forces from vessels in the Arabian Sea en route from Iran to Yemen.Attorney General Merrick B. Garland highlighted the dual purpose of the weapons transfer, stating, "With this weapons transfer, the United States government is both disrupting Iran’s...