Latest News
Michigan Supreme Court schedules special session for election manual disputes
The Michigan Supreme Court (MSC) will convene a special session to hear oral arguments in the cases of Philip O’Halloran, MD, v Secretary of State, and Richard Devisser v Secretary of State on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. The session will begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be conducted via Zoom. The proceedings will be livestreamed on the MSC YouTube Channel.
New statewide helpline launched for Washington's youth
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the launch of HearMeWA, a statewide reporting system focused on the safety and well-being of young people in Washington. The initiative aims to remove barriers for youth seeking help with challenges such as bullying, social pressures, suicidal thoughts, and threats of violence.
Arkansas to receive $12.7 million from Johnson & Johnson settlement
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin announced today that Arkansas will receive $12,716,700.92 as part of a nationwide $700 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson over its marketing of talc-based baby powder and body powder products.
Joint Task Force Alpha marks third anniversary with significant anti-smuggling achievements
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the formation of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) in June 2021, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The initiative aims to enhance the Justice Department’s efforts to combat human smuggling and trafficking originating from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico, which impact U.S. border communities. JTFA focuses on individuals and networks that exploit or endanger those being smuggled, pose national security threats, or have ties to transnational organized crime.
Joint Task Force Alpha expands anti-smuggling efforts into Colombia-Panama region
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland marked the third anniversary of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA) by convening senior leaders from the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and State to discuss ongoing efforts against human smuggling at the southern border. Over three years, JTFA has led to over 300 arrests and more than 240 convictions in the United States.
Four more states join DOJ's antitrust suit against Apple
The Attorneys General of Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington have joined the civil antitrust lawsuit brought by the Justice Department, 15 states, and the District of Columbia against Apple. The suit, originally filed in March, alleges that Apple has monopolized multiple smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. The expanded group of plaintiffs has filed an amended complaint in the District of New Jersey.
Nationwide settlement reached against J&J over talc product allegations
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that his office, along with 42 other attorneys general, has reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based body and baby powder products. As part of the settlement, Minnesota will receive more than $10.5 million over three years.
Montana AG files lawsuit challenging Biden's mandate on gender-transition treatments
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Biden administration's new rule, which mandates states and healthcare providers to offer or finance "gender-transition" treatments for adults and children or risk losing federal funding. This marks the 50th lawsuit Knudsen has filed against the current administration.
Bipartisan coalition urges Congress to address child exploitation through artificial intelligence
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 states and territories in urging Congress to pass the Child Exploitation and Artificial Intelligence Expert Commissions Act of 2024. This legislation aims to establish a commission to study the threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) in the exploitation of children through child sexual abuse material. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, such material "creates a permanent record of the child’s victimization." The proposed commission would recommend legislative measures to protect...
Lac Du Flambeau man sentenced for multiple domestic abuse convictions
Frank R. Schuman, 30, of Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, has been sentenced to 15.75 years of confinement followed by eleven years of extended supervision for convictions on eleven counts of domestic violence. The announcement was made today by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
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.