LEGAL NEWSLINE

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline following a state of emergency declaration for areas preparing for Invest 97L. State price gouging laws are now in effect for the counties covered by the state of emergency: Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Calhoun, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa,...

Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer delivered remarks at the first public Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing meeting on August 1, 2024. In his address, Mizer highlighted the Department of Justice's (DOJ) efforts to combat unfair and illegal pricing practices across various industries.

Attorney General Todd Rokita and State Comptroller Elise Nieshalla have called on Indiana University (IU) to demonstrate compliance with a state law that prohibits the Kinsey Institute from using taxpayer funds.

The Maine Justice Foundation (MJF), which administers the Access to Justice Tax Credit Program, has announced recipients for 2024.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced several senior staff promotions, appointing Ralph Molina as Deputy First Assistant Attorney General, Joseph Mazzara as Special Counsel to the Attorney General and to the First Assistant Attorney General, Ryan Baasch as Associate Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation, and Amy Hilton as Chief of the Healthcare Program Enforcement Division.

Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Cyber Crime Unit has arrested a Lake Charles man on charges related to pornography involving juveniles.

New York Attorney General Letitia James’ Office of Special Investigation (OSI) released its report on the death of Benjamin Rivers, who died on August 3, 2023, following an encounter with members of the Niagara Falls Police Department (NFPD) in Niagara Falls. The investigation included a review of body-worn camera footage, interviews with involved officers and civilian witnesses, and comprehensive legal analysis. OSI concluded that a prosecutor would not be able to disprove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial that the officers’ actions against Mr. Rivers were justified under...

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced today that the California Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating and will independently review an officer-involved shooting (OIS) that occurred on July 31, 2024, in Rosemead, California. The incident, which resulted in the death of one individual, took place around 9:00 p.m. and involved the San Gabriel Police Department.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi has issued permanent injunctions against Thomas Walt Dallas, Jason Todd Mardis, and Capital Preservation Services LLC. The court's decision bars them from making statements about tax benefits for compensation and includes other relief measures. The defendants consented to the entry of the injunctions.

Attorney General Ashley Moody is leading a coalition of 19 other attorneys general in opposing the Biden-Harris administration’s assertion that state laws preventing de-banking constitute a “national security threat.” The coalition argues that this claim is an attempt to create confusion about state laws to further what they describe as extreme activist agendas.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has issued a warning to residents about potential scams by transient contractors following recent storm damage in several counties. The affected areas include Barton, Cloud, Dickinson, Douglas, Geary, Gove, Graham, Johnson, Leavenworth, Lincoln, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Morris, Osage, Phillips, Pottawatomie, Pratt, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee and Wyandotte.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has notified the Biden Administration of Texas’s intent to sue the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the listing of the dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke announced the findings of a statewide civil rights investigation into the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) on August 1, 2024. The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, examined five juvenile justice facilities in Texas.

Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri delivered remarks on August 1, 2024, announcing the launch of the Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program. This initiative aims to enhance the Department of Justice's enforcement efforts and encourage corporate accountability.

Brigitte Meckes, along with the child’s parents, were charged

Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter addressed the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing, emphasizing the Justice Department's commitment to holding corporations accountable for exploitative practices.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced today that his office has reached a settlement with Dwell Equities, LLC (Dwell) over the company’s failure to comply with legal requirements for foreclosure rescue services. In the settlement, Dwell agreed to pay almost $240,000 and cease engaging in their foreclosure rescue services.

The Justice Department announced today its findings that the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) is violating the U.S. Constitution, as well as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Last week, America First Legal (AFL) achieved a significant outcome for the parents of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, when the U.S. Department of Education concluded that the Cedar Grove School District breached the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). The Department found that the district failed to provide parents with lawful prior notice and a meaningful opportunity to opt their children out of "equity" and "diversity" surveys.

Director Rosemarie Hidalgo of the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) met with representatives from 12 pilot sites across the country that receive funding and support through the Firearms Technical Assistance Project (FTAP). During this meeting, she announced a comprehensive strategy to address the lethal intersection of domestic violence and firearms. Director Hidalgo emphasized the urgent need to enhance efforts to prevent and address this dangerous issue, which increases the likelihood of death for victims of domestic violence.