Latest News
Federal court permanently bars Illinois-based My Unity Tax from preparing federal returns
A federal court in the Northern District of Illinois has permanently barred Joliet tax return preparer Sir Michael Joseph Davenport and his company, My Unity Tax Financial & Tax Preparation LLC (My Unity Tax), from preparing federal tax returns for others. The injunction also prevents them from owning or operating any tax return preparation businesses in the future. Davenport agreed to this permanent injunction.
Michigan AG secures $500K federal grant for Operation Survivor Justice
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that the Department of Attorney General has received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The funds will support Operation Survivor Justice, a collaborative effort to locate and apprehend fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants.
Ohio prosecutor charged with bribery conspiracy involving auto repairs
An indictment was unsealed today charging two Ohio men with a bribery scheme involving a municipal prosecutor who allegedly agreed to assist a criminal defendant with his pending cases in exchange for auto repair work.
Ukrainian nationals face charges over Florida labor-staffing company operations
Two Ukrainian nationals appeared in court following their extradition from Thailand to the United States. They face charges related to labor-staffing companies they operated in Florida.
Irmo woman charged with financial crimes against nursing home resident
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that Rose Sherrie Davis, 64, of Irmo, SC, has been charged with multiple offenses related to the exploitation of a vulnerable adult. The charges include one count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult, one count of Financial Identity Fraud, two counts of Financial Transaction Card Fraud (value more than $500 in a six-month period), and one count of Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent (value $10,000 or more). Davis was taken into custody at the Charleston County Detention Center on September 20, 2024.
Adam G. Brief named acting trustee for Northern Illinois and Wisconsin
Adam G. Brief has been appointed as the Acting U.S. Trustee for Northern Illinois and Wisconsin, effective September 28. This appointment was announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees today.
Justice reform discussed at World Affairs Council event
Rachel Rossi, Director of the Office for Access to Justice, delivered opening remarks at the World Affairs Council’s event titled “From Local to Global: Justice Reform & Community Engagement in the United States and Ukraine” on September 24, 2024. The event brought together representatives from Ukraine and Seattle to discuss community prosecution efforts and equal access to justice.
Yost supports Kroger in constitutional challenge against FTC tribunal
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is supporting Kroger in a legal challenge against the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) administrative proceedings concerning the Kroger-Albertsons merger. Yost, along with 11 other state attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Oscar Stilley arrested on felony perjury charge over voter registration
Attorney General Tim Griffin announced the arrest of Oscar Stilley, a resident of Crawford County, on charges of felony perjury related to voter registration. The arrest followed an investigation by the Election Integrity Unit in Griffin's office.
Ohio judge removed over illegal fine collection practices
The Supreme Court of Ohio has removed Stow Municipal Court Judge Kim Hoover from office and suspended him from practicing law for 18 months, with six months stayed. This decision comes after it was found that Judge Hoover used illegal tactics to collect fines and fees.
Attorney General secures $7.7M settlement with healthcare provider over fraud allegations
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $7.7 million settlement with U.S. Healthworks (USHW), a chain of occupational and urgent care clinics, resolving allegations of corporate fraud. The allegations claimed that USHW withheld millions from the State of California in unclaimed property, violating the Unclaimed Property Law (UPL) and the California False Claims Act (CFCA). The settlement includes USHW handing over $1.5 million in unclaimed property to the State Controller’s Office.
California bans reporting of medical debts on credit reports
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement following the signing of Senate Bill 1061 (SB 1061) into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. Authored by Senator Monique Limón and cosponsored by various advocacy organizations, including the California Nurses Association and Health Access California, SB 1061 aims to protect consumers from having their credit damaged by medical debt.
Two Milwaukee women charged with roles in multi-county theft ring
Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged two women from Milwaukee for their alleged involvement in a multi-county theft ring. The charges come from an investigation by Raoul’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force.
Justice Department files antitrust lawsuit against Visa for monopolizing debit markets
The Justice Department has initiated a civil antitrust lawsuit against Visa, accusing the company of monopolization and other unlawful practices in debit network markets. The suit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that Visa has maintained its monopoly by stifling competition and preventing the development of new alternatives.
Attorney General Tong releases formal opinion on 2024 budgeting process
Attorney General William Tong has issued Formal Opinion 2024-002, which addresses the legislature’s budgeting process for 2024. The opinion provides guidance on legal questions related to the budget and aims to clarify aspects of the legislative procedure.
Bill extending Prop. 69's forensic DNA services signed into law
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that Assembly Bill 3042 (AB 3042) has been signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. The bill, authored by Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen (D – Elk Grove), extends the sunset date on Proposition 69, also known as the “DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved Crime and Innocence Protection Act.” This extension will allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to continue providing essential forensic DNA services with funding from criminal fines.
Deputy clerk position open at Fargo Clerk of Court Office
The Clerk of Court Office in Fargo, ND, has announced an opening for the position of Deputy Clerk of District Court. The role offers an annual salary ranging from $51,900 to $76,212 and is classified as a full-time regular job.
Drummond urges court not to dismiss anti-terrorism lawsuit
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is urging the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to deny requests to dismiss a lawsuit brought under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) by survivors and family members of those murdered during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel.
Justice Department sues Visa for monopolizing debit markets
Earlier today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Visa, alleging violations of Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the lawsuit, accusing Visa of monopolizing the debit transaction markets and inflicting significant harm on American consumers and businesses.
Hawaii man indicted for attempting to kill former president Donald J. Trump
A federal grand jury in Miami has indicted Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, for attempting to kill former President Donald J. Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15.