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AG Nessel secures $300K fine over illegal wetland destruction
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today the resolution of litigation initiated in March of last year against Macomb County real estate development company Chesterfield 5, LLC and its consultant Christopher Cousino, of Bloomfield Hills. On behalf of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), Nessel sued both parties for the illegal destruction of a multi-acre regulated wetland in Macomb County. A consent judgment entered on June 3rd, 2024, by Judge James S. Jamo of the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County, holds Chesterfield 5 and Cousino...
Texas and Montana sue HHS over new gender transition procedure mandate
Texas and Montana have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, and other members of the Biden Administration. The legal action challenges a new rule mandating states to cover "gender transition" procedures through their Medicaid programs and requiring healthcare providers to perform these procedures, even when state laws prohibit them.
Attorney General Kaul attends school safety training in Hudson
MADISON, Wis. – Attorney General Josh Kaul today attended the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS) Behavioral and Threat Assessment Management (BTAM) training in Hudson, Wis. The BTAM trainings aim to equip school administrators, mental health professionals, security personnel, community partners, and law enforcement with an understanding of the importance of threat assessment in preventing violence in schools.
700 million national settlement reached against Johnson & Johnson
PHOENIX – Attorney General Kris Mayes, along with 42 other state attorneys general, has reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations concerning the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products containing talc.
Goose Creek man arrested on child sexual abuse material charges
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Justice Miller Janssen, 33, of Goose Creek, S.C., on three charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The arrest was made by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators from the Goose Creek Police Department, with assistance from the Attorney General's Office, also a member of the state's ICAC Task Force.
Justice Department prosecutes over 500 under new firearm statutes
The Justice Department announced it has charged over 500 defendants under the new criminal provisions of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which Congress enacted and the President signed in June 2022. The Act is the first standalone federal statute specifically designed to target unlawful trafficking and straw-purchasing of firearms.
Vermont secures $3.1 million settlement with J&J over talc product claims
Attorney General Charity Clark announced today that Vermont will receive $3.1 million over the next four years from Johnson & Johnson to resolve allegations related to the marketing of its baby powder and body powder products containing talc, which often contained asbestos. This settlement is part of a four-year, multistate investigation involving 42 other attorneys general, resulting in a total nationwide settlement amount of $700 million.
Attorneys general endorse act addressing child exploitation using artificial intelligence
Attorney General Liz Murrill has endorsed the Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commission Act of 2024, joining a bipartisan coalition of 44 state and territory attorneys general. The endorsement was communicated through a letter sent by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) to Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and U.S. House leadership. The Act is sponsored by Rep. Langworthy and co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 16 members.
Attorneys general secure $700 million settlement with J&J over talc product allegations
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with 42 other attorneys general, has reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products containing talc.
Massachusetts secures $14M from J&J over alleged deceptive talc product marketing
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, along with 42 other attorneys general, has reached a $700 million nationwide settlement with Johnson & Johnson. The proposed consent judgment, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, aims to resolve allegations related to the marketing of the company's talc-containing baby powder and body powder products. Massachusetts is expected to receive approximately $14.5 million through 2027 as part of this multistate agreement, pending judicial approval.
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.