LEGAL NEWSLINE

New York Attorney General Letitia James has released police body-worn camera footage obtained as part of the investigation into the death of Taiquell Woodson. Mr. Woodson died on February 17, 2024, following an encounter with members of the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) in Bay Shore, Suffolk County.

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief urging a federal court to reject a challenge to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Discriminatory Effects Rule. Under the Fair Housing Act, the rule holds insurers and other parties liable for housing practices that may appear neutral but are discriminatory or have a “disparate impact” on certain populations. The rule is being challenged by the homeowners insurance industry.

Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced that investigators with the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested Philip Jack Lo, 33, of Coeur d’Alene on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Lo faces seven counts of sexual exploitation of a child by possession of sexually exploitative material and three counts of possessing visual representations of the sexual abuse of children under a new law effective from July 1, 2024.

Technical issues with a new web page may have interfered with the receipt and processing of some public comments on proposed Washington court rule changes set to be considered for adoption by the Washington Supreme Court at its July 10 administrative en banc conference. Because of this concern, the Court’s Rules Committee recommended the Supreme Court defer action in order to ensure that all comments can be received and considered.

Attorney General Raoul opposes expansion of toxic waste disposal facility in Chicago

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Caleb Devarney, 31, of St. Albans, Vermont, was arraigned today on three felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and two misdemeanor counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.

Attorney General Todd Rokita today issued a statement regarding his recent legal actions against Monroe County.

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.