Latest News
27M awarded to NYC for combatting youth vaping epidemic
New York Attorney General Letitia James today distributed $27.1 million to New York City from a historic $462 million multistate settlement secured from JUUL Labs Inc. for its role in the youth vaping epidemic. The state of New York will receive a total of $112.7 million through this settlement, which will be distributed to every county, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), and the five largest cities in the state to support programs aimed at reducing and preventing underage vaping.
Attorney General secures 27-year sentence for major fentanyl trafficker
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has secured a 27-year prison sentence for Robert Cox, a fentanyl trafficker involved in transporting hundreds of grams of the drug into Florida. Cox was identified as the ringleader and primary source within a drug-trafficking organization. During the investigation, authorities discovered over 306 grams of fentanyl in Cox’s vehicle.
OVW hosts pre-application session for restorative practices pilot sites
OVW conducted a live web-based pre-application information session for its Fiscal Year 2024 Restorative Practices Pilot Sites Program solicitation. During the presentation, OVW staff reviewed this program’s requirements, discussed the solicitation, and allowed for a brief question-and-answer period.
Governor receives two applications for judicial vacancy in Montgomery and Robertson counties
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission began accepting applications for a chancellor vacancy in the 19th Judicial District, which includes Montgomery and Robertson counties, on May 24, 2024. After the June 11, 2024 deadline, two candidates had applied, leaving the Commission unable to provide the governor with the names of three persons qualified to fill the vacancy in accordance with Tenn. Code Ann. § 17-4-308(h).
Indiana secures $18 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over talc product claims
Indiana is set to receive $18 million as part of a settlement Attorney General Todd Rokita reached with pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson. The payout aims to resolve allegations of deceptive advertising in the company’s marketing of baby powder and body powder products that contain the mineral talc.
California pharmacist sentenced for $1 million Medicare fraud scheme
A California man was sentenced to two years in prison for submitting more than $1 million in false and fraudulent claims to Medicare for prescription drugs that were never dispensed to beneficiaries.
Tennessee Supreme Court reinstates three-year suspension for Knoxville attorney
In an opinion released today, the Tennessee Supreme Court affirmed a finding of multiple ethical violations by Knoxville attorney Loring Justice and reinstated a three-year suspension imposed by a hearing panel of the Board of Professional Responsibility.
Lawsuit: Treadmill abruptly stopped, started, sending runner tumbling
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida woman is suing the maker of a treadmill she says would occasionally stop and then restart without warning, causing her to fall on her face.
Woman accuses Fla. city of wrongful arrest after mistaken ID
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A woman with an unlucky name is suing a Florida city after she was arrested for a crime allegedly committed by someone with the same name.
Roofer's records to be inspected by judge as insurer looks for fraud
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida judge will review the records of a roofing company caught up elsewhere in allegations it conspired with lawyers while purporting to be representing customers.
Justice Department announces agreement on language access improvements in NY drug treatment court
The Justice Department announced today a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New York State Court System, Office of Court Administration (OCA), to improve access to the Rockland County, New York, Drug Treatment Court for people with limited English proficiency (LEP). The department enforces Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI), which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin by recipients of federal financial assistance. Prohibited discrimination may include a failure to provide meaningful language access.
Bipartisan coalition backs new act targeting child exploitation via AI
Attorney General Josh Stein today led a bipartisan group of 44 Attorneys General in sending a letter to Congress endorsing the Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commission Act of 2024. The Act would establish a commission to investigate and make recommendations on solutions to protect kids online and improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent, detect, and prosecute child exploitation crimes committed using artificial intelligence (AI).
Federal court blocks Biden administration's transgender policy directive
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a significant victory against the Biden Administration’s Department of Education (DOE), halting its attempt to reinterpret Title IX to mandate the adoption of transgender policies in Texas schools.
Commission considers eight applicants for circuit court judge in Tennessee
The Trial Court Vacancy Commission will consider eight applicants when it meets on July 11, 2024, in Sevierville, Tennessee, to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 4th Judicial District. This district covers Cocke, Grainger, Jefferson, and Sevier counties.
Kobach leads 17-state coalition against Biden's temporary farm worker unionization rule
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is leading a coalition of 17 states in a lawsuit against a Biden administration rule that allows temporary farm workers in the country on H-2A visas to unionize. Under federal law, American farm workers are prohibited from collective bargaining.
Attorney General Frey announces $700 million settlement against Johnson & Johnson
Attorney General Aaron M. Frey has announced a $700 million nationwide settlement involving Johnson & Johnson, in collaboration with 42 other attorneys general. The settlement addresses allegations concerning the marketing of the company's baby powder and body powder products containing talc.
Coalition reaches $700M settlement with J&J over deceptive marketing
On June 11, 2024, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and 42 other attorneys general announced a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products containing talc. Oregon will receive approximately $15 million from the settlement, pending judicial approval, with $4.7 million earmarked for women's health initiatives.
Attorney General Raoul seeks Supreme Court ruling on state regulation of pharmacy benefit managers
Attorney General Raoul asks Supreme Court to rule on states’ authority to regulate pharmacy benefit managers
Paxton sues Biden administration over labor rights for foreign agricultural workers
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with a coalition of state attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against the Biden Administration’s Department of Labor (DOL) over a new regulation that aims to grant foreign nationals working in American agriculture more rights than American citizens.
North Dakota Court System seeks electronic court reporter/transcriptionist
The North Dakota Court System has announced an opening for the position of Electronic Court Reporter/Transcriptionist in Minot, ND. The role offers an annual salary of $49,896 and is classified as a full-time, regular position under job number 2024-U4-MIN-15-ECRT2.