LEGAL NEWSLINE

On September 18, 2024, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office will host the inaugural Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force Summit at the Younes Center in Kearney. This day-long event will feature multiple speakers and collaborative panels from various professions, including national and local organizations working to combat human trafficking.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, along with Attorneys General from Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, and Vermont, has joined a civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster. The suit was initially filed by the Justice Department in collaboration with 29 other states and the District of Columbia. The allegations focus on monopolization and other unlawful conduct in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act.

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced today that the Attorneys General of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, and Vermont have joined the United States Department of Justice in a historic lawsuit against Ticketmaster-Live Nation. The inclusion of these states brings the total number of plaintiffs to 41.

Attorney General Miyares Joins 24-State Coalition Urging SCOTUS to Uphold Arizona’s Proof of Citizenship Voting Registration Law

PHOENIX — Attorney General Kris Mayes is warning Arizonans to be on high alert for cryptocurrency scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens.

Attorney General Michelle Henry has issued a consumer alert urging Pennsylvanians to be vigilant about home repair or improvement scams as hurricanes begin to impact the state.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced a settlement with Rite Aid Corporation to address competitive impacts related to changes in ownership involving their retail pharmacy outlets statewide. The settlement includes injunctive conditions aimed at ensuring the continued provision of essential medication and healthcare services, particularly for those reliant on Medi-Cal and Medicare, as well as protecting workers at stores that are sold or closed.

Attorney General Steve Marshall announced that temporary restraining orders (TROs) have been obtained against five illegal gambling facilities in Selma, Alabama. According to the TROs, these facilities must cease all operations, and the property cannot be used or accessed. Additionally, there can be no further financial transactions connected with these facilities or their operators until further orders from the Circuit Court of Dallas County.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced the finalization of a settlement agreement with Ray County Sheriff Scott Childers, who had been temporarily removed from his position while litigation was pursued to remove him permanently for breaking Missouri law. According to the settlement, Childers resigned effective Monday, August 19, and has been stripped of his Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. He will not be allowed to serve in Missouri law enforcement again.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has announced a temporary part-time position for a Hearing Officer I in Fargo, ND. The role offers an hourly salary of $41.40 and will work up to 40 hours per week based on business needs. This long-term temporary position qualifies for remote work with mandatory in-person training and travel to hearings in Eastern North Dakota.

The Justice Department has secured an agreement with Bennett County, South Dakota, and county officials to resolve claims that the county has failed to make its registration and early voting opportunities equally open to Native American voters as required by Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

America First Legal (AFL) announced actions targeting the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State, and the Department of Education. The organization aims to expose and combat what it describes as the Biden-Harris Administration’s refusal to enforce criminal, civil, and immigration laws against a foreign-funded pro-Hamas network in the United States.

A former chief financial officer for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was sentenced to three years in prison today for his role in a broader scheme that defrauded the zoo of at least $2.3 million, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.

Attorney General Charity Clark announced today that Vermont has joined an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster. The lawsuit, originally filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and state partners, accuses Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, of forming an illegal monopoly and engaging in anti-competitive practices to maintain that monopoly. Attorney General Clark’s office has been investigating Live Nation-Ticketmaster since May.

New Mexico has joined nine other states in a civil antitrust lawsuit filed by the Justice Department against Live Nation-Ticketmaster. The suit, which now includes 40 co-plaintiffs, alleges monopolization and other unlawful conduct in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act.

Former U.S. Representative George Anthony Devolder Santos pleaded guilty today to committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general, has filed an amended complaint against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (Live Nation) and its subsidiary Ticketmaster. The action seeks additional relief for American consumers harmed by these companies.

Today, Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined the U.S. Justice Department’s lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster for monopolization and other unlawful conduct in violation of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act and Nebraska antitrust laws.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution secured 40-year prison sentences for three members of a Romanian crime ring that stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from schools and churches. A Fort Myers jury found Panait Dumitru, Catalin Trandafir, and Simona Trandafir guilty of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, grand theft, money laundering, aggravated white-collar crime, and unlawful possession of personal identification information. According to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation, the crime ring stole...

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sent a letter to Congress expressing concerns over the Securing and Enabling Commerce Using Remote and Electronic (SECURE) Notarization Act, which aims to preempt state notarization laws. In his letter, Bonta argues that any federal law on remote online notarization should allow states to monitor and prevent data breaches, fraud, and other abuses by allowing more robust state notarization laws to coexist.