Latest News
Court upholds Lucas County pipeline despite landowner challenge
The Supreme Court of Ohio has upheld the decision of the Ohio Power Siting Board to approve the construction of a 3.7-mile natural gas distribution pipeline in Lucas County, dismissing a challenge from Yorktown Management. The court's unanimous opinion concluded that the board acted lawfully and reasonably in approving Columbia Gas of Ohio's Ford Street pipeline project in Maumee.
Drug trafficker sentenced following multi-state operation involving fentanyl distribution
Attorney General Kris Mayes has announced the sentencing of Lino Bol, a member of a drug trafficking organization operating across multiple states including Arizona, Texas, Iowa, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Illinois.
Court issues permanent injunction against Miami-based Brito brothers
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has issued a permanent injunction against Miami tax return preparers, George and Luis Brito, along with their businesses. This legal action prohibits George Brito from preparing federal income tax returns, participating in any tax preparation business, assisting others in preparing tax returns, or transferring customer lists to others. Similarly, Luis Brito is barred from preparing income tax returns for individuals. The brothers have consented to the entry of this injunction.
Justice Department hosts AI symposium focusing on cybercrime strategies
The Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) recently co-hosted a symposium focused on artificial intelligence at the Department of Justice. The event took place in Washington, D.C., at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on October 2.
North Dakota seeks attorney for HIDTA program under federal grant funding
The North Dakota Office of Attorney General is seeking candidates for the position of Special Assistant United States Attorney/Assistant Attorney General/HIDTA Attorney. This full-time role, offering a salary range of $80,000 to $90,000 annually based on experience, requires handling drug-related criminal cases and asset forfeiture under the High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program in both state and federal courts.
DOJ charges ten linked to illegal sale of 70M opioid pills
The Department of Justice has announced charges against ten individuals linked to pharmaceutical distributors. These individuals are accused of channeling approximately 70 million opioid pills and 30 million doses of other prescription drugs, primarily to "pill-mill" pharmacies in the Houston, Texas area. The estimated street value of these drugs exceeds $1.3 billion.
Michigan Supreme Court opens nominations for lifetime achievement awards
The Michigan Supreme Court is currently accepting nominations for two significant awards: the Maura D. Corrigan Foster Family Lifetime Achievement Award and the Daniel J. Wright Lifetime Achievement Award. These honors will be presented at the Michigan Adoption Day celebration on November 18, 2024, at the Hall of Justice in Lansing.
Connecticut AG responds to Yankee Gas's $209 million rate hike proposal
Attorney General William Tong has issued a statement in response to Yankee Gas's upcoming request for a $209 million rate hike. This increase, if approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, would result in an average 29 percent rise in customer bills. Yankee Gas, owned by Eversource, serves 252,000 customers across 85 towns in Connecticut.
Lawsuit challenges Arizona's handling of non-citizen voter registrations
America First Legal (AFL) has initiated legal action against Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and his office. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona, known as "EZAZ.org," accuses the state officials of unlawfully withholding a list of over 218,000 registered voters who have not provided proof of citizenship.
Minnesota AG settles wage theft case with dairy farm
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has announced a settlement with Evergreen Acres Dairy and its associated entities, addressing wage theft and housing issues for dairy workers. The agreement requires Evergreen to pay $250,000 in back wages and improve employee housing conditions to meet legal standards.
Ken Paxton sues TikTok over alleged violations of child privacy laws in Texas
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging that the social media giant has violated the Securing Children Online through Parental Empowerment (SCOPE) Act. The lawsuit claims that TikTok's operations endanger the privacy and safety of children in Texas by not adhering to state laws requiring parental consent for sharing minors' personal data.
City of Bismarck seeks chief deputy clerk for municipal court
The City of Bismarck is seeking candidates for the position of Chief Deputy Clerk at the Bismarck Municipal Court. The application deadline is October 14, 2024, and the salary range for this role is between $51,058.23 and $57,440.50.
Pennsylvania attorney general focuses on combating human trafficking
The Office of Attorney General in Pennsylvania recently addressed the House Republican Policy Committee regarding human trafficking and the initiatives of Attorney General Michelle Henry's newly established Human Trafficking Section. Chief Deputy Attorney General Heather Castellino and Supervisory Special Agent Gabriel Fabian discussed various aspects of trafficking, including real-world scenarios, common misconceptions, and how victims are targeted.
Three ex-Memphis police officers convicted in connection with Tyre Nichols' death
Following a nearly four-week trial, a federal jury in Memphis, Tennessee, has convicted three former Memphis Police Department (MPD) officers of federal felonies connected to the death of Tyre Nichols on January 7, 2023.
Marion County man receives life sentence for crimes against minors
A Marion County man, aged 46, has been sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for crimes involving minors. The announcement was made by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton.
Justice Department sues Missouri landlords over alleged discriminatory tenant policy
The Justice Department has initiated legal proceedings against the owners and managers of Suburban Heights Apartments in Kinloch, Missouri, alleging discriminatory practices against Black tenants. The lawsuit claims that Suburban Heights LLC, Crestline Property LLC, Triline Properties LLC, and Jingle Properties LLC violated the Fair Housing Act by enforcing a ban on tenants with felony convictions and certain other criminal histories.
Foreign nationals sentenced for defrauding Apple out of over $2.5 million
Two individuals have been sentenced for their roles in a scheme that defrauded Apple Inc. of millions of dollars worth of iPhones. Haotian Sun, 34, and Pengfei Xue, 34, both Chinese citizens residing in Maryland, received prison sentences and financial penalties as part of their sentencing.
Illinois officials warn students about new scam targeting loan borrowers
Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) have issued a warning to student loan borrowers about a new scam exploiting uncertainty around student loans. The scam involves false promises of lower monthly payments or loan forgiveness, often requiring upfront fees.
Investiture ceremony set for new Iowa Court of Appeals Judge John Sandy
Governor Kim Reynolds will administer the ceremonial oath of office to Judge John Sandy, newly appointed to the Iowa Court of Appeals. The investiture ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. It will take place in the Iowa Supreme Court Courtroom at the Iowa Judicial Branch Building in Des Moines.
AG Reyes Releases a Statement on Tenth Circuit Monuments Appeal
Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes issued the statement below.