Latest News
Attorney general files lawsuit against Altice over unlawful network enhancement fee
Attorney General William Tong has initiated a lawsuit against Altice/Optimum Online, seeking to cease and recoup millions of dollars in unlawfully charged “Network Enhancement Fees.” The complaint also aims to hold the company accountable for undisclosed limitations regarding advertised speeds.
Deputy Attorney General addresses Election Threats Task Force on evolving technology-driven crimes
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco recently addressed the Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the critical role it plays in safeguarding democratic processes and those who facilitate them.
Oregon DOJ concludes OLCC probe; no criminal charges warranted
In a letter addressed to Governor Tina Kotek, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded its investigation into allegations against employees of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). The employees were accused of improperly using their positions to acquire sought-after bottles of bourbon. However, after an exhaustive investigation, the DOJ has determined that criminal charges are not warranted.
Miyares joins lawsuit against Biden's electric-truck mandate
Attorney General Jason Miyares has joined a lawsuit aimed at halting the Biden Administration's electric-vehicle mandate for truck manufacturers. The legal action was initiated by a coalition of 24 states, which filed a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today.
Repeat offender sentenced to prison for drug distribution
RICHMOND, Va. – A man from Hopewell has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl. Court documents reveal that on Aug. 22, 2022, Hopewell police came across an Audi vehicle stopped within a trailer park's roadway. Upon illuminating the vehicle, the driver, Riezon Mekhi Murphy, 24, turned off his headlights and reversed down the road to a grassy area. At this point, two other individuals who had been seated together in the front passenger seat of the Audi exited the car and raised their hands.
University student charged with hate crime after vandalizing Holocaust memorial
A University of Delaware student, now banned from campus, has been charged with three misdemeanors, including a Hate Crime. The charges follow an incident where she vandalized a Holocaust memorial sponsored by a Jewish student group and launched into an antisemitic tirade.
Arizona Supreme Court grants extended stay on historic abortion law
Attorney General Kris Mayes has issued a statement in response to the Arizona Supreme Court's decision to grant her motion for an additional 90-day stay of the mandate in the case of Planned Parenthood vs. Hazelrigg.
Married couple indicted for alleged contractor fraud scheme in Pueblo
On May 13, 2024, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that a statewide grand jury has returned a 20-count indictment against a married couple for allegedly conducting a contractor fraud scheme in the Pueblo area. The scheme followed a hailstorm in the spring of 2021.
Kabbage Inc. resolves allegations of defrauding Paycheck Protection Program
The Justice Department has announced that Kabbage Inc., a now-bankrupt financial technology company, has agreed to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act (FCA). The company is accused of knowingly submitting thousands of false claims for loan forgiveness, loan guarantees, and processing fees to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in connection with its participation in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Tennessee leads 18-state lawsuit against EEOC overreach
Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti of Tennessee is leading a coalition of eighteen states in a lawsuit against the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), alleging federal agency overreach. The suit was filed in response to new sexual harassment guidance issued by the EEOC on April 29, 2024, which extends Title VII’s protections against sex-based discrimination to include gender identity.
Warwick man charged with illegal possession of firearms
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a Warwick man has been charged in Kent County Superior Court with illegally possessing a firearm and knife following his arrest by the Warwick Police Department. On May 8, 2024, the Office of the Attorney General charged Austin Means (age 26), by way of criminal information, with one count of carrying a pistol without a license and one count of carrying a knife more than three inches in length.
Drummond leads lawsuits opposing federal and state electric-truck mandates
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 13, 2024) – In two separate lawsuits, Attorney General Gentner Drummond is challenging efforts by the Biden Administration and the State of California to impose electric-vehicle mandates on truck owners and operators nationwide.
Drummond challenges nationwide electric-truck mandates in two lawsuits
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is challenging the efforts of the Biden Administration and the State of California to impose nationwide electric-vehicle mandates on truck owners and operators, through two separate lawsuits.
White House Roundtable drives forward interagency collaboration for legal aid
The White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR), overseen by the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ), has been actively working this year to enhance collaboration among 28 federal agencies with the aim of advancing access to justice. LAIR's mission is to "improve coordination among Federal programs, so that programs are more efficient and produce better outcomes," including broadening access to legal services.
Justice Department addresses surge in threats against election officials
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland recently addressed the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the importance of protecting election workers and officials from violent threats. The Task Force was launched three years ago in response to a surge in such threats following the 2020 election.
Justice Department intervenes in Muscogee (Creek) Nation's lawsuit against Tulsa
The U.S. Justice Department, representing the Department of the Interior, has filed a motion to intervene in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s lawsuit against the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The lawsuit, which also includes the city's mayor, chief of police and city attorney as defendants, is currently before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Attorney General Brown Seeks Applicants for the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention
Attorney General Anthony Brown is accepting membership applications for the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention.
AG Campbell Co-Leads Bipartisan Multistate Effort Urging U.S. House And Senate Leaders To Appropriate Robust Funding For Legal Services Corporation
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, in partnership with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, and Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr, co-sponsored a multistate letter sent by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general calling on leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees to allocate maximum funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in the FY2025 budget.
Troutman Pepper Advises Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. on Successful Merger Completion with Summit Financial Group, Inc.
Troutman Pepper client Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. and Summit Financial Group Inc. recently announced the completion of the merger of Summit Financial Group, Inc. with and into Burke & Herbert and the merger of Summit Community Bank, Inc., with and into Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company, effective May 3, 2024.
Attorney General convenes Election Threats Task Force meeting
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today convened a meeting of the Election Threats Task Force. The task force, established in June 2021, has been spearheading the Department's efforts to counter threats of violence against election workers and ensure their ability to perform their duties without fear or intimidation.