LEGAL NEWSLINE

The United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit has ruled on United States vs. Steven Pinto, cases numbered 21-3454 and 21-3461.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is in the process of drafting an Environmental Justice Strategic Plan, which will outline the department's vision, goals, and priority actions to advance environmental justice. This initiative follows Executive Order 14096, aimed at revitalizing the nation's commitment to environmental justice for all. Draft goals and objectives for the DOJ's strategic plan are available on the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) website.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed approval of the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Trump v. United States, which overturned the D.C. Circuit’s ruling that former President Donald Trump has no immunity from criminal prosecution. The majority opinion stated that "our constitutional structure of separated powers" grants a former President certain absolute and presumptive immunities from criminal prosecution for official acts conducted during their presidency.

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), in collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies across seven federal judicial districts and geographical locations in the United States, concluded a six-week national operation that resulted in locating 200 critically missing children. The operation, titled "Operation We Will Find You 2" (OWWFY2), ran from May 20 to June 24 and targeted areas with high concentrations of missing children.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a statement and information for consumers following the implementation of Senate Bill 478 (SB 478) on July 1, 2024. SB 478, also known as the "Honest Pricing Law" or "Hidden Fees Statute," mandates that businesses must include all required fees or charges in their advertised prices, excluding certain government taxes and shipping costs.

Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a statement regarding the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision granting former President Donald Trump immunity for official actions taken while in office.

The Justice Department announced today that the Town of Franklinton, Louisiana, has agreed to pay $230,000 in damages and civil penalties to settle allegations that it violated the Fair Housing Act by blocking a proposed affordable housing development for low-income tenants in a predominantly white part of Franklinton.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the launch of a new training scenario for EMS workers, the fourth in a series of videos aimed at helping health-care professionals and first responders identify and respond to human trafficking situations.

The North Dakota Court System has announced an opening for the position of Juvenile Court Officer I in Fargo, ND. The full-time role offers a monthly salary of $5,452 and is classified as non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Applications will be accepted until July 22, 2024, at 11:59 PM Central Time.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert following an increase in text-based scams claiming consumers owe express lane or toll charges and asking for online payment. Bonta urges Californians not to click on links in texts that appear to alert consumers to overdue toll charges. FasTrak, the electronic toll collection system used statewide in California, does not request payment by text with a link to a website. The consumer alert includes tips on how to identify and avoid toll charge scams and what to do if one becomes a victim of this fraudulent...

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that the California Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating an officer-involved shooting (OIS) in Downey, California. The incident, which resulted in one fatality, occurred on June 29, 2024, at approximately 6:15 p.m. and involved the Downey Police Department.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – America First Legal (AFL) has released research obtained through collaboration with the American Accountability Foundation, alleging that the Hewlett Foundation is spending millions to support "illegal and racist" Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This financial support reportedly includes funding organizations that encourage efforts to take over higher education institutions in support of regimes such as Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and other anti-Semitic actors.

The Fifth District Court of Appeals in Ohio has ruled that drivers charged with texting while driving must prove if any exceptions to the law apply. The state law against distracted driving includes 13 exceptions, such as texting police during an emergency or while parked due to a road closure.

Columbus, OH – In the U.S. Supreme Court term that ended on July 1, 2024, The Buckeye Institute’s influence at the court was further cemented with numerous citations in the court’s ruling in Culley v. Marshall. Additionally, The Buckeye Institute, the U.S. Constitution, and liberty all scored important victories in seven cases before the high court.

Health care fraud is a crime that impacts every American. It siphons off hard-earned tax dollars meant to provide care for the vulnerable and disabled. When health care providers and executives place greed above patients’ needs, it increases the cost of care for all Americans. Even worse, as the prosecutions announced on Thursday highlight, health care fraud can harm patients and fuel addiction.

Attorney General Josh Stein today shared tips to help families encourage children to stay safe online over the summer. The average eight- to 12-year-old spends between four and six hours online each day, while teenagers spend up to nine hours. While young people across the state enjoy time off from school, they may find themselves online for longer periods.

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced the arrest of Javon Sequa Marshall, 27, of Taylors, S.C., on two charges connected to the sexual exploitation of minors. Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigators with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office made the arrest. Investigators with the Attorney General's Office, also a member of the state's ICAC Task Force, assisted with the investigation.

Attorney General William Tong released a statement on July 1, 2024, regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States, which addresses presidential immunity.

Guardian Health Care Inc., Gem City Home Care LLC, and Care Connection of Cincinnati LLC, home health agencies operating in Texas, Ohio, and Indiana, along with their owner Evolution Health LLC (collectively referred to as the Companies), have agreed to pay $4,496,330 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act by knowingly providing illegal kickbacks to assisted living facilities and physicians in exchange for Medicare referrals.

LANSING – The States of Michigan and Illinois have signed a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to implement an invasive carp barrier at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, Illinois. This announcement was made by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, whose team provided legal advice and assistance with negotiating the agreement. The project aims to prevent invasive bighead, silver, and black carp, as well as other aquatic invasive species, from entering the Great Lakes by blocking their passage through the Des Plaines River into the...