LEGAL NEWSLINE

NASHVILLE - "Whether someone can change the sex on their birth certificate is a matter for each state to decide," said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti. "While other states have taken different approaches, for decades Tennessee has consistently recognized that a birth certificate records a biological fact of a child being male or female and has never addressed gender identity. We are grateful that the Court of Appeals agreed with the district court that any change in Tennessee's policy can only come from the people of Tennessee."

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has issued a warning to residents about the potential theft of their personal health care information following a significant cyberattack. The breach, involving Change Healthcare/UnitedHealth, may have affected approximately 110 million Americans.

SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson issued a statement following the King County Superior Court's decision to deny his office’s request to enforce a subpoena against the Seattle Archdiocese in an ongoing investigation into the Catholic Church.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has released police body-worn camera footage obtained as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Geoffrey Parris. Parris died on February 12, 2024, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Queens.

New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the conviction and sentencing of Marcus Wilcher, the leader of a Queens deed theft ring. The group targeted homes in Jamaica and St. Albans, Queens owned by elderly or disabled New Yorkers or their estates. Wilcher and his associates fraudulently sold three homes without the knowledge or permission of the rightful owners, pocketing over $1 million from the sales. On May 23, 2024, Wilcher pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and was sentenced to three to nine years in prison for his role in the scheme...

LANSING – Yesterday, Lisa Ludy, 54, of Macomb, pled no contest to 18 felony counts for stealing from two vulnerable adults for whom she was appointed guardian and conservator, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. With her plea, Ludy agreed to pay $187,827.96 in restitution to her victims.

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Michelle Henry announced that an Armstrong County man has been convicted of third-degree murder, drug delivery resulting in death, and related charges for providing a dose of fentanyl-cocaine that killed another man in 2020. Nathan R. Wolfe, 41, of Kittanning, was also convicted Thursday afternoon of aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to deliver, and criminal use of a communication facility. He will be sentenced on September 20 by Judge Chase G. McClister.

Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that on July 10, 2024, a Lexington County jury found Michael Scott Valdario guilty on two counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor in the first degree and two counts in the second degree. Judge Walton McLeod sentenced Valdario to two years for each second-degree charge, to be served concurrently, and four years for each first-degree charge, to be served consecutively, totaling ten years of incarceration.

Attorney General Raoul announces sentence, restitution for Illinois Toll Highway Authority employee who stole from Paycheck Protection Program

The Justice Department and the Department of the Interior convened this year’s Tribal Justice, Safety, and Wellness Summit from July 9 to 11. The three-day virtual event featured several key presentations and panels on public safety issues taught by nationally recognized subject matter experts working in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Hundreds of federal, state, and Tribal law enforcement officials, prosecutors, advocates, court staff, victim/witness services staff, and Tribal leaders attended the Summit.

Attorney General Josh Stein announced a $2.45 million settlement with Vista Clinical Diagnostics, LLC, for allegedly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare and Medicaid programs in North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. The settlement funds will be returned to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Notice is hereby given of a vacancy in the office of Elective Judicial Nominating Commissioner for Judicial Election District 1B. Nominating petitions are now available for individuals who wish to have their name listed on the ballot to serve the remainder of the term for this position, which expires on January 31, 2026.

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Director Terrence Gray issued statements following a decision by Providence Superior Court Justice Brian P. Stern to grant the State’s request for a temporary restraining order, effectively shutting down Rhode Island Recycled Metals (RIRM) until the Court approves a plan for its safe reopening.

The Office of the Attorney General in North Dakota has announced a job opening for the position of Assistant Attorney General, specifically serving as Natural Resources and Native American Affairs General Counsel. The position is full-time with a comprehensive state benefit package, located at 500 North 9th Street, Bismarck, ND. The closing date for applications is July 26, 2024.

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the guilty verdict of Tony Horne Jr., 43, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, on all charges, including the illegal possession and sale of a regulated firearm, relating to a long-term investigation into drug traffickers operating in and around areas in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City, Maryland.

Michigan tax attorneys Rick Sundquist and Greg Longworth recently defended Alpena County against the City of Alpena in an industrial real property county equalization case.

CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 4th Circuit Court’s ruling regarding the state’s Save Women Sports Act.

BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - For the first time, a state court judge has thrown out one of the climate change lawsuits brought against the energy industry by an alliance of government officials and private lawyers.

NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The United Nations' stance toward Hamas is blamed for the deaths of several Israelis in a federal lawsuit.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has lost a key ruling in Enbridge's lawsuit against her over her efforts to shut down the Line 5 pipeline.