Latest News
Oklahoma grand jury finds mismanagement in pandemic education relief funds
A Multi-County Grand Jury investigation in Oklahoma has revealed significant mismanagement and misspending of the Governor’s Emergency Educational Relief (GEER) fund, which was intended to mitigate educational disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report from the Grand Jury, although finding no criminal actions or willful corruption, described the handling of funds as "irresponsible, disappointing, and indefensible."
Office of Information Policy releases summary of 2024 Chief FOIA Officer Reports
The Office of Information Policy (OIP) has released its summary and assessment of the 2024 Chief FOIA Officer (CFO) Reports from various agencies. The report focuses on improvements in five key areas: FOIA leadership, fair administration, proactive disclosures, technology utilization for efficiency, and removing access barriers.
AGs urge DHS for voter status verification before elections
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, along with 15 other state attorneys general, has addressed a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The coalition urges the department to verify the immigration status of registered voters upon request to protect the integrity of upcoming elections.
Virginia contractor settles over data security failures involving Medicare beneficiaries
ASRC Federal Data Solutions LLC (AFDS), based in Reston, Virginia, has agreed to settle allegations related to the False Claims Act. The allegations involve a government contract concerning the storage of unsecured personal information of Medicare beneficiaries. As part of the settlement, AFDS will pay $306,722 and forgo any reimbursement rights for costs incurred during a data breach remediation, including at least $877,578 spent on notifying affected individuals and providing credit monitoring services.
Justice Department settles with mortgage firm over redlining allegations
The Justice Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have announced that Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation has agreed to a settlement of $8 million, alongside a $1.9 million civil penalty. This resolves allegations of lending discrimination through redlining in predominantly Black neighborhoods in Birmingham, Alabama.
California businessman receives prison sentence for over $1 million tax evasion
A California businessman has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for tax evasion, following a conviction for failing to pay over $1 million in individual and corporate income taxes owed to the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board.
Unlicensed midwife sentenced after newborn's death in Sullivan County
Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the sentencing of Brigitte Meckes, who acted as a midwife without a medical license during a 2022 home birth in Sullivan County. Meckes has been sentenced to serve between 8 years and 8 months to 17 years and 4 months in prison. The jury found her guilty of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, and related charges following the death of an infant.
Attorney General Todd Rokita co-leads 22-state brief on sex-change procedures
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is co-leading a 22-state effort defending states' authority to ban sex-change procedures for minors. This legal initiative involves filing an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, with Indiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas at the forefront.
Former Air Force member charged with sexual assault at UK base
A former U.S. Air Force member has been indicted for a 2019 sexual assault at Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the United Kingdom. The indictment, unsealed today in the Southern District of Florida, charges James Loubeau, 36, from Miami, with one count of sexual abuse and two counts of abusive sexual contact.
Oregon Attorney General reminds residents of voter registration deadline today
Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum has issued a reminder to Oregonians that the deadline to register for the upcoming general election on November 5 is tonight, October 15, at 11:59 pm. Residents uncertain about their registration status can verify it through the Secretary of State’s website.
California AG issues alert on unlawful employment restrictions
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a consumer alert to inform workers about illegal restraints on employee mobility, including no-poach agreements, non-compete agreements, and Training Reimbursement Agreement Provisions (TRAPS). These contracts often violate California law by restricting job mobility and suppressing wages.
Barton woman faces charges in alleged Medicaid fraud scheme
Katrina LaFoe, a 44-year-old resident of Barton, Vermont, has been arraigned in Orleans County on three counts of felony Medicaid fraud. The charges are the result of an investigation by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The investigation revealed that LaFoe allegedly billed Medicaid for services not provided by her, defrauding Vermont Medicaid of over $18,000.
Michigan AG launches site to fight AI-driven election misinformation
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has introduced a new webpage aimed at addressing election misinformation. This initiative seeks to assist voters in identifying artificial intelligence (AI) and accessing reliable information regarding elections.
Massachusetts man pleads guilty to sex trafficking linked with drug offenses
A Massachusetts man, Marvin Pompilus, 39, from Stoughton, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to sex trafficking and drug offenses. The charges include four counts of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl.
Ferguson's project adds 3,000 criminal profiles to national DNA database
Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced a significant milestone in his lawfully owed DNA project, with 3,000 DNA profiles of serious criminal offenders now added to the national database. This initiative aims to ensure that offenders who are legally required to provide DNA samples comply with their obligations, as many have failed to do so over the years.
Supreme Court reviews Tennessee's child protection law on gender transition
America First Legal (AFL) has filed a brief in the Supreme Court of the United States concerning the case United States v. Skrmetti et al. The brief supports Tennessee's stance against medical procedures related to gender transition for minors, which AFL describes as "inhumane medical experiments."
Alabama AG supports Tennessee law against child sex-change procedures
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of a Tennessee law aimed at protecting minors from undergoing irreversible sex-change procedures. The Biden-Harris administration is challenging this law, arguing that age restrictions on such procedures are unconstitutional.
Justice Department monitors voting rights compliance in Portage County
The Justice Department has announced its intention to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Portage County, Ohio. This monitoring will occur during the early voting period and on Election Day. The department's role is to ensure that all citizens have access to the ballot without facing intimidation or threats.
Federal court allows lawsuit against Meta over youth mental health concerns
Attorney General Bob Ferguson's lawsuit against Meta, accusing the company of harming youth mental health, has moved forward following a federal court's decision to reject Meta’s attempt to dismiss the case. Ferguson expressed determination in his statement: “Meta can’t get off the hook that easily. This ruling brings us one step closer to accountability. Meta and its top executives disregarded their own research and publicly downplayed the risks Facebook and Instagram posed to its most vulnerable users. I am committed to protecting the mental health of Washington youth.”
Court rejects Meta's bid to dismiss children's mental health lawsuit
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in collaboration with a bipartisan group of 33 attorneys general, has successfully opposed Meta's effort to dismiss a lawsuit that accuses the company of contributing to a mental health crisis among children. The legal action claims that Meta allowed young children access to its platforms, violating federal laws, and misled the public about harmful features on Instagram and Facebook that allegedly addict children and teens.