Latest News
Supreme Court upholds federal law on guns for those with domestic violence orders
Attorney General William Tong issued a statement today in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Rahimi, which upheld the federal law prohibiting individuals with domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms.
Attorney General's initiative helps solve Shenandoah National Park cold case murders
RICHMOND, Va. – Attorney General Jason Miyares today commended the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) team of the Office of the Attorney General for aiding federal law enforcement in solving the 1996 Shenandoah National Park cold case murders. DNA evidence has linked Walter “Leo” Jackson Sr., a convicted serial rapist, to the 1996 murders of Julianne "Julie" Williams and Laura "Lollie" Winans in Shenandoah National Park. Jackson, who died in an Ohio prison in 2018, was identified by intelligence analysts funded by the SAKI program.
Virginia Anne Bates indicted on multiple human trafficking charges
Attorney General Chris Carr announced that Virginia Anne Bates, 37, of Forest Park, has been indicted in DeKalb County on charges of Trafficking of Persons for Sexual Servitude, Sexual Exploitation of Children, and Pimping. Bates is alleged to have knowingly harbored and provided a 16-year-old female and an adult female to sex buyers in DeKalb County. The defendant is further alleged to have collected a portion of the financial proceeds from the commercial sex acts of both victims.
North Dakota Court System announces opening for law clerk in Dickinson
The North Dakota Court System has announced a job opening for a Law Clerk in Dickinson, ND. The position offers an annual salary of $74,460 and is classified as full-time and regular.
Biz groups, Dems announce deal to reform law that spawned thousands of 'shakedown' suits vs employers
Under the deal to reform the Private Attorney General Act, a coalition of business groups would agree to withdraw a ballot measure that would have largely gutted PAGA. Reports showed PAGA generated lawsuits worth $10B in payouts from employers in the past 10 years, with big money for lawyers, little real benefit for workers
HiSmile faces class action claiming its whitening products don't work
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - An aggressive online advertising campaign hides the fact that its products don't work, a lawsuit against a teeth-whitening company says.
Burlington Coat Factory is spying on you, lawsuit says
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The clothing retailer Burlington Coat Factory takes your information when you open their emails, a New Jersey class action lawsuit says.
Sheetz takes on EEOC's allegations that background checks are racist
BALTIMORE – Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Sheetz is looking to dismiss or transfer litigation from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which charges that the criminal background check in the store’s hiring process has discriminated against job applicants of Black, American Indian/Alaska Native and/or multiracial origin.
Railroad could be liable after train strikes 14-year-old with earbuds in
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - A railroad company is possibly headed toward trial after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled it was not entitled to judgment in the case of a boy who was struck by a train he didn't hear coming because he was listening to music through earbuds.
PFAS case over Simply Tropical tossed by federal judge
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has thrown out a proposed class action lawsuit against Coca-Cola and Simply Orange Juice Company regarding the possible presence of chemicals known as PFAS.
Justice Department secures agreement over discrimination allegations in Florida
The Justice Department announced today that it has secured an agreement with the Florida State Attorney’s Office for the Second Judicial Circuit (SAO) to resolve allegations of violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
America First Legal announces release of internal DHS documents
WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) announced today that it has obtained internal meeting notes from the now-dissolved Department of Homeland Security (DHS) “Homeland Intelligence Experts Group.” AFL plans to release these documents in a multi-part series titled #DeepStateDiaries.
Justice Department resolves claims against Ohio landlords over tenant harassment
The Justice Department announced today that Joseph Pedaline and YLP LLC, who owned and managed residential rental properties in Youngstown, Ohio, have agreed to pay $199,000 to resolve a lawsuit alleging violations of the Fair Housing Act. The department’s lawsuit alleged that Joseph Pedaline sexually harassed female tenants from at least 2009 to at least 2020, and that YLP LLC was liable for Pedaline’s conduct during the period it owned and managed the properties.
Northampton joins statewide initiative offering substance abuse treatments instead of criminal charges
Northampton County will launch LETI program, becoming 30th county to join Office of Attorney General’s diversion initiative
California Attorney General releases "State of Pride Report" for LGBTQ+ Pride Month
California Attorney General Rob Bonta released the "State of Pride Report" today in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The report outlines the California Department of Justice's (DOJ) efforts to support and defend LGBTQ+ rights amidst ongoing threats to justice and equality.
Buckeye Institute challenges Hawaii gun ruling in SCOTUS brief
The Buckeye Institute has filed an amicus brief in the case of Wilson v. Hawaii, urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by the Hawaii Supreme Court concerning Second Amendment rights. The filing calls for the U.S. Supreme Court to assert its authority over state courts regarding constitutional interpretations.
Bonneville County man sentenced for possessing child sexual abuse material
Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced that John Demaria, 45, was convicted of two counts of sexual exploitation of a child—a felony punishable by up to ten years in prison. Demaria was sentenced on June 17, 2024, by District Judge Dane H. Watkins.
Georgia man charged with distributing child sexual abuse material
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Trey Cameron Leonard, 22, of Sugar Hill, GA, on two charges connected to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office made the arrest.
Illinois AG issues alert on avoiding ticket scams
Chicago – As the summer concert and festival season is underway across Illinois, Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued guidance to help residents avoid common ticket scams.
Michigan AG discusses efforts against organized retail crime with top retailer executives
LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, top executives from leading Michigan retailers, and members of the FORCE Team convened today for a roundtable discussion on combatting organized retail crime. The meeting highlighted the partnership between the first-in-the-nation unit and retail businesses and discussed building on the early successes of the FORCE Team as it marks its first year of operations. Representatives from Kroger, Meijer, Ulta Beauty, and Walmart joined Attorney General Nessel in Lansing to commend the unit’s achievements.