LEGAL NEWSLINE

Director Rachel Rossi of the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ) traveled to Kansas this week to engage with stakeholders about the access to justice challenges rural communities face and to discuss innovative solutions. The visit built upon the ongoing work of ATJ to address the rural access to justice gap in the United States.

A federal jury in North Carolina convicted a man today for his role in orchestrating a years-long telemarketing scheme that defrauded victims in the United States from a call center in Costa Rica.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has led a coalition of 12 attorneys general urging Congress to take action against gun trafficking from the United States to Caribbean countries. The coalition's letter highlights the impact of U.S.-origin firearms on gun violence in the Caribbean, affecting many Americans with family ties in the region. They propose several measures, including ensuring adequate resources for port inspectors and passing the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm (CATCH) Act.

Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the arrest of Mary Elizabeth Graham for defrauding the Florida Medicaid program. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office apprehended Graham following an investigation by Attorney General Moody’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).

The North Carolina Department of Justice hosted a two-day symposium this week, bringing together law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and victim advocates to discuss strategies for investigating and prosecuting cold case sexual assaults. The event provided criminal justice professionals with insights on organizing caseloads, prosecuting cold cases, working with survivors, and leveraging information about connected crimes to solve cases. Presenters included representatives from the State Bureau of Investigation, the UNC School of Government, the Durham District Attorney’s...

An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Justice Department announced today that it has filed a complaint against the Town of Thornapple, Wisconsin, and the State of Wisconsin for violations of Section 301 of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). This section requires polling places to be equipped with at least one voting machine accessible to voters with disabilities during federal elections. The department also secured an agreement with the Town of Lawrence, Wisconsin, to resolve its complaint alleging HAVA violations.

Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, commented on the newly released jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Attorney General William Tong announced a $1,729,977 settlement with Enzo Biochem, Inc. and its subsidiary Enzo Clinical Labs, Inc., resolving allegations that the lab overbilled the Connecticut Medicaid program for testing services in violation of the state False Claims Act.

Attorney General Hilgers has announced the successful hosting of the Nebraska Human Trafficking Task Force Summit in Kearney, Nebraska this week. The event saw participation from over 200 individuals committed to combating human trafficking in the state.

The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has initiated an investigation into the death of Ali Ali, who died on September 18, 2024, following an encounter with members of the New York State Police (NYSP) in Woodbury.

The Justice Department convened its quarterly interagency meeting with Jewish community stakeholders yesterday. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland provided remarks, underscoring the department’s commitment to addressing hate crimes. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division outlined relevant enforcement efforts and highlighted actions to prevent and combat discrimination and hate crimes. Assistant Secretary of Education Catherine Lhamon of the Office for Civil Rights also addressed attendees, emphasizing efforts to ensure safe learning...

A Benton County district court has sentenced Michael Carpenter to life in prison for the October 2022 murder of his co-worker, Nicole Hammond. A jury convicted Carpenter of first-degree premeditated murder and second-degree intentional murder on August 2, 2024, after a two-week trial. The statutory sentence for first-degree premeditated murder is life without the possibility of release.

Lebanese national Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, 60, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct and cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 12 attorneys general, is calling on members of Congress to take action to stop gun trafficking from the U.S. to Caribbean countries. Raoul and the coalition issued a letter to Congress today outlining several measures Congress can take to help reduce gun trafficking and violence in the Caribbean.

An investigation by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force has led to the indictment of a Youngstown man on rape and human trafficking charges, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene announced today.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement today following the signing of Senate Bill 976 (SB 976) into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), SB 976, also known as the Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addiction Act, aims to restrict social media companies and other website operators from using addictive algorithmic feeds, notifications, and other design features that encourage prolonged use by children and teens. The new law mandates parental consent for these features, allowing families to establish healthy...

Continuing a tradition begun in 2007, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in People v. Jeffrey Scott Armstrong as part of the “Court Community Connections” program. Student debriefing sessions led by Supreme Court Chief Commissioner Daniel C. Brubaker will be held before and after oral arguments. There will also be a community activity led by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Drummers.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 14 attorneys general, has submitted a multi-state letter to congressional leaders advocating for the passage of the Caribbean Arms Trafficking Causes Harm Act (CATCH Act). The letter also encourages Congress to take additional measures to curb the flow of illegally trafficked firearms from the United States into the Caribbean. This influx of illegal arms has contributed to rising gun violence in the Caribbean, particularly in Haiti, where deteriorating security conditions and increased gang violence complicate...

A federal jury convicted Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as El Menchito, today of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine while knowing and intending that they would be imported into the United States. He was also found guilty of using, carrying, and brandishing firearms, including destructive devices, in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy. The verdict followed a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.