News on Legal Newsline

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has initiated an investigation into the death of Ali Ali, who died on September 18, 2024, following an encounter with members of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Woodbury.

The Justice Department convened its quarterly interagency meeting with Jewish community stakeholders yesterday. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland provided remarks, underscoring the department’s commitment to addressing hate crimes. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division outlined relevant enforcement efforts and highlighted actions to prevent and combat discrimination and hate crimes. Assistant Secretary of Education Catherine Lhamon of the Office for Civil Rights also addressed attendees, emphasizing efforts to ensure safe learning...

A Benton County district court has sentenced Michael Carpenter to life in prison for the October 2022 murder of his co-worker, Nicole Hammond. A jury convicted Carpenter of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional murder on August 2, 2024, after a two-week trial. The statutory sentence for first-degree premeditated murder is life without the possibility of release.

Lebanese national Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, 60, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct and cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 12 attorneys general, is calling on members of Congress to take action to stop gun trafficking from the U.S. to Caribbean countries. Raoul and the coalition issued a letter to Congress today outlining several measures Congress can take to help reduce gun trafficking and violence in the Caribbean.

An investigation by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force has led to the indictment of a Youngstown man on rape and human trafficking charges, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene announced today.

Victim advocates in St. Louis will provide phone support on Wednesday for crime victims and survivors, aiding them in seeking justice and obtaining various forms of assistance.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement today following the signing of Senate Bill 976 (SB 976) into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), SB 976, also known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, aims to restrict social media companies and other website operators from using addictive algorithmic feeds, notifications, and other design features that encourage prolonged use by children and teens. The new law mandates parental consent for these features, allowing families to establish healthy...

Continuing a tradition begun in 2007, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in People v. Jeffrey Scott Armstrong as part of the “Court Community Connections” program. Student debriefing sessions led by Supreme Court Chief Commissioner Daniel C. Brubaker will be held before and after oral arguments. There will also be a community activity led by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Drummers.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 14 attorneys general, has submitted a multi-state letter to congressional leaders advocating for the passage of the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm Act (CATCH Act). The letter also encourages Congress to take additional measures to curb the flow of illegally trafficked firearms from the United States into the Caribbean. This influx of illegal arms has contributed to rising gun violence in the Caribbean, particularly in Haiti, where deteriorating security conditions and increased gang violence complicate...

A federal jury convicted Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as El Menchito, today of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine while knowing and intending that they would be imported into the United States. He was also found guilty of using, carrying, and brandishing firearms, including destructive devices, in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy. The verdict followed a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), released a report on Luis Herrera’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Los Angeles, California, on September 17, 2022. The incident involved officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). 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 concluded that...

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that an Armstrong County man will serve 25 to 50 years in prison for providing a fatal dose of fentanyl-laced cocaine that killed another man in 2020.

After five days of trial, a federal jury convicted Richard Bhoolai, 65, of Cincinnati, for failing to pay taxes he withheld from employees’ wages at three restaurants he owned and operated.

Climate Pledge Arena to pay $477K in penalties, refunds as a result of AG Ferguson’s hidden fee investigation

The Justice Department has reached a settlement agreement to resolve a gender-based pay discrimination lawsuit filed in January 2023 against the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (WDMA). The lawsuit alleged that the WDMA discriminated against former employee Michelle Hartness, in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, when it offered her a lower salary than similarly or less qualified men for a director position in the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management.

Ty’nell D. Jimmerson, aged 20 from Omaha, Nebraska, has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a machine gun.

New York Attorney General Letitia James released a statement following the Appellate Division, Third Judicial Department of the New York State Supreme Court's ruling to reinstate charges against former New York State Trooper Christopher Baldner. The court ruled that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) presented sufficient evidence to the grand jury that Baldner acted with depraved indifference.

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement following a Pulaski County Circuit judge's decision to deny a motion to dismiss Griffin’s lawsuit against Family Dollar for violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA).

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that criminal charges have been filed against former Arnold Police Department Chief Joshua Stanga. The charges stem from a joint investigation led by the Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania State Police into allegations of misconduct by Stanga.