LEGAL NEWSLINE

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...

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...

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...

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice, on behalf of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, today filed a lawsuit against Jeremy Kruk for unlawful labor practices as it relates to his former custom apparel business, Crushin It Promotions, LLC.“This case alleges that the defendant engaged in unacceptable business practices,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “We will work to ensure that the impacted employees receive what they’re owed.”"Fair workplaces depend on upholding the laws that govern labor practices," Department of Workforce Development...

Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning about direct deposit refund scams as part of the conclusion of the 2024 Tax Season Scam Series. Speaking on the matter, Moody emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant against fraudulent schemes during the tax season, stating, “We’re concluding our 2024 Tax Season Scam Series with a warning about direct deposit refund scams. As Floridians finalize their tax filings and wait for refunds to be delivered, it is important to remain vigilant for fraudulent schemes.”The Attorney General highlighted key points to help...

Attorney General Jason Miyares, along with a coalition of 20 attorneys general, has taken a stand against the Biden administration's handling of immigration policies. Joining forces in filing an amicus brief, they aim to support states in their efforts to curb illegal immigration activities.Miyares expressed concern over the impact of President Biden's actions on the country, stating, "Every single state has become a border state thanks to President Biden’s mishandling of the southern border. Despite it being clear that the drugs and illegal immigrants flooding our...

CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is declaring victory against the Biden administration’s Security and Exchange Commission mandate that would force business to track and report greenhouse gas emissions.

Attorney General Ashley Moody, leading a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in support of Intervenor States aiming to prevent the Biden administration from using sue-and-settle tactics to sidestep accountability for the border crisis. Moody expressed her concerns, stating, “The Biden administration has systematically broken down our public-safety immigration structure through both implementing illegal asylum programs and outright ignoring existing law."Moody emphasized the...

Attorney General Jason Miyares has announced a victory against the Biden Administration's Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") mandate that requires businesses to track and report greenhouse gas emissions. Virginia, along with 25 other states, secured a temporary nationwide block on President Biden's climate mandate while the lawsuit continues."President Biden continues to try to push his most extreme, harmful, and expensive policies without congressional approval - because he knows they'll fail in Congress. He is actively avoiding the voice of the American people...

Attorney General Josh Kaul of Wisconsin has taken a stand against predatory lending practices by joining a multistate lawsuit targeting Mariner Finance for violating consumer protection laws. The lawsuit alleges that Mariner Finance engaged in deceptive practices by charging consumers for hidden add-on products without their consent, leading to significant financial harm.According to Attorney General Kaul, the lawsuit accuses Mariner Finance of misleading consumers and adding substantial amounts to their loan obligations through undisclosed fees and premiums. In 2019...

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stood firm in defense of Texas's SB 4, the state's new border security law, during the oral argument at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Paxton expressed pride in his office's defense, stating, "Today, my office was proud to defend SB 4, Texas’s new border security law, in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit."During the proceedings, Texas argued that the provisions of SB 4 were crafted to align with the legal scope set by the Arizona case. The state also emphasized the inadequacy of federal border protection,...

Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced the arrests of five individuals involved in an organized retail theft ring in Florida. The individuals arrested are Maike Acosta De Armas, Lazaro Santiago Acosta De Armas, Yusser Echemendia Rodriguez, Elias Ramos Hernandez, and Honasi Diaz Santos, all from Miami-Dade County. These individuals are facing multiple felony charges related to organized retail theft.Moody stated, “This criminal group committed more than 53 thefts in 13 Florida counties, stealing thousands of dollars' worth of merchandise in a fraudulent systematic...

Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with a 21-state coalition of attorneys general, celebrated a significant victory as a federal judge blocked the Biden administration's highway emissions rule aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from gas-powered cars. The challenge was brought in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky against the Federal Highway Administration's rule.Moody expressed her satisfaction with the court's decision, stating, “This court decision is a major victory against Biden overstepping his authority to push a radical political agenda on...

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is looking into an officer-involved death that took place in Beloit, Wisconsin on Saturday, March 16, 2024.During the incident, Sergeant Lewis, a law enforcement officer with 15 years of service, fired his weapon, striking the suspect, Ray Castro, who was later pronounced deceased at a local hospital. Sergeant Lewis is currently on administrative leave as part of the department's policy.Multiple agencies are involved in the investigation, including the Rock County Medical Examiner’s...

Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning to Floridians about tax debt relief scams as part of the 2024 Tax Season Scam Series. In a statement, Attorney General Moody emphasized the prevalence of these scams and the importance of being vigilant. She stated, “Tax debt relief scams prey on the stress that often accompanies tax season for those who owe the IRS. These bad actors will reach out in any way possible: texts, phone calls, emails, letters—all to try and trick consumers into believing a tax expert is interested in helping them get out of a difficult...

Attorney General Josh Kaul and Gov. Tony Evers have joined a coalition of 24 attorneys general in supporting the Biden administration's challenge to Idaho's near-total ban on abortion. In an amicus brief filed in United States of America v. Idaho, the coalition backed the U.S. government's argument that the ban conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). Attorney General Kaul pointed out that the ban not only endangers the lives and health of pregnant individuals in Idaho but also has serious repercussions on the health systems of other states. He...

Attorney General Miyares has joined a coalition of 27 states in condemning the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule to expand regulations on liquid waste produced by meat and poultry processing plants in the United States. The expansion of regulatory authority has raised concerns about its potential economic impacts on businesses and consumers, particularly in rural America."The Biden Administration continues to try and find ways to expand its authority by sidestepping Congress and the American people. This latest attempt would cripple small meat and poultry...

Attorney General Ashley Moody is leading a multistate coalition of state attorneys general in investigating whether MSCI, Inc. is supporting the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Moody expressed, “Israel is our greatest ally in the middle east, and in Florida, we unequivocally support their right to exist. The BDS movement has one goal, the complete elimination of Israel as a Jewish state. The allegations against MSCI are deeply disturbing and we have called for a quick response from the company’s leadership directly addressing our concerns.”...

Attorney General Miyares expressed his concerns, stating, “Investment companies making political stands with consumers’ money in the name of ‘environmental, social, and governance’ standards is wrong, reckless, and dangerous. Further leaning into those radical policies by embracing the BDS movement and punishing Israeli companies for defending themselves against terrorist attacks is inexcusable.”In August of 2022, 17 state attorneys general sent a letter to Morningstar, a large investing ratings company, expressing “serious concerns related to reports that...

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc., after reoccurring issues with certain airplane parts provided to Boeing. Spirit AeroSystems, described as "one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes," produces the fuselages for Boeing’s 737 jets. According to reports, manufacturing defects in these parts have led to concerning or dangerous incidents, some of which have occurred during flights.The Texas Business Organizations Code empowers the Office of the Attorney General to...