Latest News
Justice Department files lawsuit against Illinois landlord for alleged tenant harassment
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against Michael J. DeWitte of Washington, Illinois, for allegedly sexually harassing female tenants and housing applicants in violation of the Fair Housing Act. DeWitte has managed residential rental properties in Peoria, Illinois, and other central Illinois counties since at least 2002.
Justice Department sues Southwest Key over allegations of child abuse
The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Southwest Key Programs Inc. (Southwest Key), a Texas-based nonprofit that provides housing to unaccompanied children encountered at the southern U.S. border. The lawsuit alleges that Southwest Key, through its employees, engaged in a pattern or practice of sexual abuse and harassment of unaccompanied children in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group schedules July meeting
The Post-Adjudication Reparative Program Working Group is scheduled to hold a meeting on July 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. In-person attendance will be available at the Vermont Supreme Court, located at 111 State Street, Montpelier. Remote participation will be facilitated via Microsoft Teams.
Attorneys General urge FEMA recognition for extreme heat, wildfire smoke as major disasters
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has joined a coalition of 10 attorneys general in petitioning the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to initiate rulemaking that would update its regulations. The proposed changes aim to recognize extreme heat and wildfire smoke events as eligible for major disaster declarations under the Stafford Act. Additionally, the petition seeks clarification that wildfire smoke events qualify for Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) funding.
Commission sends three names to governor for 23rd judicial vacancy
Nashville, Tenn—The Trial Court Vacancy Commission convened in Charlotte, Tennessee to select nominees for a circuit court judge in the 23rd Judicial District, which includes Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, and Stewart counties.
Alabama man pleads guilty to violating Iran sanctions
Ray Hunt, also known as Abdolrahman Hantoosh, Rahman Hantoosh, and Rahman Natooshas, 70, of Owens Cross Roads, Alabama, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to export U.S.-origin goods to the Islamic Republic of Iran in violation of trade sanctions.
Foreign nationals plead guilty for roles in global lockbit ransomware attacks
Two foreign nationals pleaded guilty today to participating in the LockBit ransomware group, which has been one of the most prolific ransomware variants globally. They admitted to deploying LockBit attacks against victims in the United States and worldwide.
Vermont Supreme Court advisory committee schedules virtual meeting for family proceedings
The Vermont Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Rules for Family Proceedings will convene virtually via TEAMS on July 19, 2024, from 1:30 to 3:00 pm. The meeting will address several agenda items, beginning with the approval of draft minutes from the January 26, 2024 meeting.
Arizona AG files lawsuit against Cummins & FCA over "super clean" truck claims
Attorney General Mayes sues Cummins and FCA for deceptive "super clean" truck claims
Attorney General warns against scammers posing as law enforcement officers
LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued a statement on July 18, 2024, warning Arkansans about a prevalent scam involving callers posing as law enforcement officers and demanding payment to resolve alleged criminal matters.
Nebraska AG reaches settlements with four retailers over synthetic THC sales
This week, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers reached four new settlements in his statewide litigation campaign against shops selling synthetic THC products. These additional settlements bring the total to six retailers that have now settled with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. The campaign aims to address unlawful conduct in the industry, which has caused harm to Nebraska consumers, including hospitalizations.
Attorney General Wilson leads coalition appealing case on parental rights
Attorney General Alan Wilson leads 12-state coalition appealing case that undermines parental rights
Grand Forks Clerk of Court seeks deputy clerk with legal experience
The Clerk of Court Office in Grand Forks, ND, has announced a job opening for the position of Deputy Clerk. The annual salary for this full-time, regular position is $51,900. The application period opens on July 18, 2024, and closes on August 8, 2024, at 11:59 PM Central Time.
Eighteen MS-13 members sentenced for murders kidnapping drug trafficking firearms offenses
The last defendant of 18 La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang members charged in connection with a multi-year investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement was sentenced today. The investigation involved charges of racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping, drug trafficking, firearms offenses, obstruction of justice, and destruction of evidence.
Missouri AG files motions in high-stakes Jackson County tax assessment case
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office filed two motions today in the ongoing Jackson County Tax Assessment case. The trial has yet to conclude due to legal maneuvers by opposing counsel.
Transnational human trafficker indicted and sanctioned; arrested in Mexico
An indictment was unsealed yesterday containing criminal charges against the alleged leader of a human smuggling organization responsible for unlawfully bringing thousands of migrants into the United States. Along with the organization, the defendant, who was arrested in Mexico at the request of the United States, has also been designated for financial sanctions by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. These developments were made possible through extensive bilateral coordination and cooperation efforts between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement authorities.
DaVita agrees to $34M settlement over alleged illegal kickbacks
DaVita Inc., headquartered in Denver, Colorado, has agreed to pay $34,487,390 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks to induce referrals to DaVita Rx, a former subsidiary providing pharmacy services for dialysis patients. The company is also accused of paying kickbacks to nephrologists and vascular access physicians to induce patient referrals to its dialysis centers.
Justice Department officials highlight US efforts at UN forum
Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer and Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice participated in the United Nations (UN) High Level Political Forum in New York this past week as part of the official U.S. delegation. The forum, a platform for reviewing progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focused on UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), which aims to establish peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective institutions.
California man sentenced for selling counterfeit electronics to Defense Logistics Agency
A California man was sentenced to three years and six months in prison for defrauding the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) by selling over $3.5 million worth of counterfeit or misrepresented fan assemblies.
Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Unit arrests Lafayette man for child sex crimes
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Cyber Crime Unit arrested a Lafayette man for sex crimes against children on July 18, 2024.