Latest News
Kristina M. Morgan named SCAO's first Behavioral Health Administrator
The State Court Administrative Office (SCAO) has appointed Kristina M. Morgan as its new Behavioral Health Administrator, effective September 30, 2024. This newly created position was suggested by the Michigan Judicial Council Behavioral Health Workgroup and funded with support from the executive and legislative branches.
Attorney General announces settlement over fraudulent business filings
An individual who submitted more than 15,000 fraudulent business filings with the state will dissolve those businesses and pay $75,000 in penalties, fees, and profits gained from his deceptive conduct under a settlement Attorney General Phil Weiser announced today.
Coalition supports Cook County's assault weapons ban in amicus brief
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 19 attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief in support of Cook County, Illinois' assault weapons ban. The brief, submitted in the case Viramontes v. County of Cook, urges the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold a lower court's ruling that the law aligns with the Second Amendment.
Attorney General releases footage from investigation into Andre Joseph Mayfield's death
New York Attorney General Letitia James has released police body-worn camera footage and security footage obtained as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Andre Joseph Mayfield. Mayfield died on May 26, 2024, following an encounter with members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in Brooklyn.
RT employees indicted for covert funding US company spreading pro-Russian messages
An indictment charging Russian nationals Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, also known as Kostya, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, also known as Lena, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering was unsealed today in the Southern District of New York. Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva are at large.
Nebraska Supreme Court to hear abortion rights ballot initiative challenges
The Nebraska Supreme Court will hear arguments on three ballot initiative challenges regarding abortion rights on Monday, September 9, 2024. The cases are scheduled to begin at 10:00 am in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the State Capitol in Lincoln, Nebraska. Each side will be allotted 15 minutes for their arguments.
State settles lawsuit with City of Elk Grove over denied supportive housing project
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez, and California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency (BCSH) Secretary Tomiquia Moss announced a settlement with the City of Elk Grove. This settlement resolves the lawsuit filed by the state on May 1, 2023, against Elk Grove for its unlawful denial of a proposed 66-unit supportive housing project for lower-income households at risk of homelessness.
Virginia commission denies Dulles Greenway toll hike request
Attorney General Jason Miyares has expressed approval following the Virginia State Corporation Commission's (SCC) decision to deny a request from Toll Road Investors Partnership II L.P. to increase toll rates on the Dulles Greenway.
Garland outlines new measures against foreign interference and domestic threats
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the convening of the Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the importance of addressing threats against election workers and public servants. "We launched the Election Threats Task Force to respond to a dangerous increase in violent threats against the public servants who administer our elections," he stated.
Buckeye Institute urges court to halt use of private businesses for government funding
The Buckeye Institute has filed an amicus brief in the case of Buffalo, NY v. Hyundai, urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to prevent governments from using private businesses as sources of funding for local government operations.
Michigan Judicial Council seeks public input on strategic plan
Members of the Michigan Judicial Council are seeking public feedback at their next meeting. The Council will receive written comments and oral testimony on its Strategic Agenda, Operational Plan, and 2023 Annual Report.
Louisiana files SCOTUS brief protecting energy industry with support from 23 states
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office has filed an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a decision perceived as a threat to the energy industry of various states.
Attorney General Labrador joins effort defending First Amendment rights in schools
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador on Tuesday joined a brief in a First Amendment case aimed at protecting students’ free-speech rights. Twenty-one other state attorneys general joined the brief. The friend-of-the-court brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit involves an Ohio school district that is forcing students to either use preferred pronouns or be punished.
Verkada settles lawsuit over alleged email violations with $2.95M penalty
The Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced today that Verkada Inc., a cloud-based security company headquartered in San Mateo, California, has agreed to a settlement requiring it to pay a $2.95 million civil penalty and implement extensive data security measures. This settlement resolves allegations that Verkada violated the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act and engaged in unfair and deceptive practices in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act.
Ada County man arrested for sexual exploitation of a child
Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced that investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested 42-year-old Charles Bronson on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, for ten counts of sexual exploitation of a child after a search warrant was served at his residence.
Justice Department disrupts covert Russian influence operation targeting US elections
The Justice Department announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns, known as “Doppelganger,” which violated U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws. According to an unsealed affidavit, Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, under the direction of the Russian Presidential Administration and specifically First Deputy Chief of Staff Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, utilized these domains to covertly disseminate propaganda...
Connecticut settles $425K case with Hell Fire Armory over illegal ghost gun sales
Attorney General William Tong announced a $425,000 settlement with Hell Fire Armory following illegal ghost gun sales in Connecticut. The company has agreed to reconfigure its website and add disclaimers and controls to prevent sales in Connecticut.
Former Dearborn Heights man extradited from Guam faces sexual assault charges
Jordan Wagner, 30, formerly of Dearborn Heights and most recently residing in Guam, was extradited back to Wayne County to face charges of Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC), Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. The U.S. Marshals Service returned Wagner to Michigan and into custody at the Dearborn Police Department last week before an arraignment on August 27th on one count of First-Degree CSC and three counts of Second-Degree CSC as part of Operation Survivor Justice. Second-Degree CSC is a 15-year felony, while First-Degree CSC carries a potential life sentence....
Motocross coach sentenced to 40 years for child exploitation crimes
A motocross instructor who mentored children was sentenced today to 40 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, and ordered to pay at least $193,500 in restitution for sexually exploiting numerous children.
Montana Highway Patrol emphasizes safety as students return to school
The Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) is reminding motorists to adhere to school bus and school zone traffic laws as students return to the classroom. By following these regulations and taking necessary precautions, drivers can help ensure the safety of Montana students.