News on Legal Newsline

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a multistate coalition of 11 attorneys general, submitted a comment letter in response to the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services’ request for information regarding consolidation in health care by private equity. In their letter, the attorneys general outline possible enforcement and regulatory actions to address the detrimental effects of private equity health care transactions that have harmed patients and undermined the financial viability of health care providers.

NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - An epileptic woman living in COVID isolation at Seton Hall University died from a seizure, leading to a lawsuit against the school.

PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - A COVID vaccine worker had no business being behind the wheel, says a wrongful death lawsuit over the killing of a pedestrian.

JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Mississippi law gives Yazoo City absolute immunity against claims its firefighters mishandled a house fire and the resulting damage caused a property owner to suffer a stroke.

Jason Allen Miller was sentenced to life without parole for running over and seriously injuring Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Lewis Johnson in February 2023. In April, Miller was found guilty on all counts, including attempted deliberate homicide, criminal endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal possession of dangerous drugs, aggravated kidnapping, and a sentencing enhancement for the use of a weapon.

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the arrests and indictments of 17 individuals involved in loansharking and illegal gambling operations on Staten Island, controlled by members of the Gambino organized crime family. The individuals face an 84-count indictment for their roles in a sports gambling operation that handled over $22.7 million in illegal bets and a loansharking operation involving weekly payments on approximately $500,000 in usurious loans. Additionally, four individuals were charged with an illegal mortgage fraud scheme to purchase a...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has secured nearly $600,000 for Florida Medicaid from a chronic disease management health care provider. In a multistate action involving Florida, Minnesota, and the federal government, Bluestone Physician Services of Florida, LLC, Bluestone Physician Services, P.A., and Bluestone National, LLC have agreed to pay millions of dollars for False Claims Act violations.

LINCOLN -- District Court Judge Jodi Nelson has ordered Kenneth Jason McCants to pay $87,000 in restitution to the victims of the Nebraska Game Day Experience. Additionally, McCants is required to pay $252,000 in civil penalties and other fees. Judge Nelson had previously found McCants liable for the Nebraska Game Day Experience and issued an injunction preventing him from running similar ticketing frauds.

The Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has concluded the prosecution of individuals involved in the November 2022 murder of Zaria McKeever. The final two defendants, Eriana Haynes and Tavion James, were sentenced today following their guilty pleas to aiding an offender after the fact.

BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Unsatisfied Tesla customers have filed a federal lawsuit against Elon Musk, claiming they were swindled out of their money.

NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A national law firm faces a federal lawsuit from a woman entangled in a patent dispute over a spill-proof lid.

MIAMI (Legal Newsline) - A lawsuit blaming Walgreens for the death of a man following his COVID vaccination could be on the move.

SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - There's a chance the lawsuit alleging Crocs shoes shrink is about to become a big problem for the company.

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) today released its report on the death of Morris Sprachman, who died on December 13, 2022, following a motor vehicle collision involving an officer of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) in Seaford, Nassau County. Following a thorough investigation, including interviews with the involved police officer and other witnesses, review of nearby surveillance footage, and comprehensive legal analysis, OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt at...

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced final judgments against Blackhawk Manufacturing, GS Performance LLC (Glockstore), and MDX Corporation. The companies are permanently prohibited from manufacturing or selling unserialized ghost gun kits and firearm precursor parts in California. These parts can be easily converted into a firearm frame or receiver.

A scam targeting Minnesota residents has been identified, where individuals impersonate law enforcement officers and falsely claim there is an arrest warrant due to missed jury duty.

As the 2024 hurricane season nears, Attorney General Liz Murrill emphasizes the importance of preparation and vigilance. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts an above-normal season with expectations of seventeen to twenty-five named storms, eight to thirteen of which may develop into hurricanes.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has joined 22 other state attorneys general in opposing the Biden Administration's new energy-efficiency standards for stoves and ovens. The rule is expected to increase costs for kitchen appliances across the country.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida lawyer won't pay his clients' outstanding medical bills and conceals their settlements, a health care provider is alleging.

SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit alleges Airbnb's "assistance fee" on travel insurance is a mechanism intended to allow the company to charge more than allowed by California law.