Attorney General Archives

Statement Regarding Nationwide Safety and Security for Inauguration Day

19Jan

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General

Statement Regarding Nationwide Safety and Security for Inauguration Day

Statement of Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen Regarding Nationwide Safety and Security for Inauguration Day (STL.News) Tomorrow, the Nation and the world will witness an orderly and peaceful transfer of power in the United States, as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court swears in President-Elect Biden. Throughout our Nation’s proud history, this ceremony has served as a beacon of democracy and a testament to the enduring strength of our Constitution. By contrast, the violence we witnessed at the Capitol two weeks ago was an intolerable travesty, which is why the Justice Department has now brought charges against more than one-hundred individuals and has investigations of many others underway. The Department of Justice is committed, together with our federal, state, and lo...

California AG: Lawsuit Against Rollback of Endangered Species Act

18Jan

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General

California AG: Lawsuit Against Rollback of Endangered Species Act

Attorney General Becerra Files Motion for Summary Judgment in Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration Rollback of Endangered Species Act Protections SACRAMENTO, CA (STL.News) California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh today led a multistate coalition in filing a motion for summary judgment in their lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s rollback of federal Endangered Species Act protections. In 2019, the Trump Administration finalized three rules revising numerous key requirements of the Endangered Species Act’s implementing regulations at the behest of industry groups. The multistate coalition filed their lawsuit shortly after. In today’s motion, the coalition argues that the final rules vi...

South Dakota AG Joins Second Multistate Lawsuit Against Google

18Jan

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General

South Dakota AG Joins Second Multistate Lawsuit Against Google

PIERRE, South Dakota (STL.News) Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg today joined with 37 other attorneys general in a bipartisan coalition suing Google LLC for anticompetitive conduct in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. The states allege that Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over general search engines and related advertising markets through a series of anticompetitive exclusionary contracts and conduct. As a result, Google has deprived consumers of competition that could lead to greater choice, innovation, and better privacy protections. Furthermore, Google has exploited its market position to accumulate and leverage data to the detriment of consumers. “After more than a year of investigation, and distinct from yesterday’s announcement, this suit takes direct a...

New Jersey AG Grewal: Phillip Stewart III Convicted of Theft

18Jan

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General

New Jersey AG Grewal: Phillip Stewart III Convicted of Theft

Man Convicted at Socially Distanced Jury Trial of Conspiring to Steal $17,000 in Checks from the New Jersey Department of Labor TRENTON (STL.News) Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that a Philadelphia man was convicted at trial in Trenton, N.J., of conspiring with a temporary state employee to steal checks totaling $17,206 from the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. This was the first verdict obtained by the Division of Criminal Justice in a socially distanced jury trial during the COVID 19 pandemic. Phillip Stewart III, 39, of Philadelphia, Pa., was found guilty on Friday, Nov. 13, by a Mercer County jury of third-degree charges of conspiracy and theft by unlawful taking. He was acquitted of a charge of third-degree theft by deception. The verdict followed ...

New Mexico: AG Hector Balderas Demands Couy Griffin To Resign

18Jan

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General

New Mexico: AG Hector Balderas Demands Couy Griffin To Resign

Office of the Attorney General to Seek Removal if Griffin Fails to Resign Santa Fe, NM (STL.News) Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that he has demanded that Couy Griffin resign from the Otero County Commission. In a letter sent to Griffin Saturday, the Attorney General demanded his resignation on multiple grounds, including accusations that he has misused public office for personal gain, has neglected his duties as a county commissioner, and because of his participation in the January 6th insurrectionist attack on the United States Capitol. The letter states that absent his resignation, the Office of the Attorney General will take all appropriate legal action to seek Griffin’s removal. This demand also comes as Griffin has reportedly been arrested by the Federal Bureau of Inv...

Louisiana: Antonio Galloway Arrested For Child Pornography

15Jan

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General

Louisiana: Antonio Galloway Arrested For Child Pornography

Baton Rouge, LA (STL.News) Attorney General Jeff Landry's Cyber Crime Unit has arrested a Shreveport man on child exploitation charges. Antonio Galloway, 29 of Shreveport, was arrested and charged with 14 counts of Pornography Involving Juveniles Under the Age of Thirteen (possession). The arrest was a result of a joint investigation with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police, Bossier City Marshall's Office, and Shreveport Police Department. "Internet crimes against children are horrific offenses that inflict lifelong damage to their victims," said Attorney General Landry. "I am proud of the work my office’s investigators, examiners, and agents do protect Louisiana’s children." Galloway was booked into the Caddo Correctiona...

Kansas Attorney General Warns Against COVID Relief Scammers

15Jan

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General

Kansas Attorney General Warns Against COVID Relief Scammers

Consumer Alert: Be watchful for COVID relief scammers as next round of payments continues TOPEKA, KS (STL.News) Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt is urging Kansans to use caution with regard to the latest round of federal COVID-19 stimulus checks that are now being issued. Congress authorized household payments of up to $600 for each qualifying individual, similar to the initial round of Economic Impact Payments that were distributed as part of the CARES Act in the spring of 2020. The new round of federal payments will be issued through direct deposit to bank accounts or payments mailed directly to individuals. And as was the case during the initial round, Schmidt said Kansans should be wary of scammers offering to assist with receiving the payments. “We know all too well that...

California AG Challenging Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

15Jan

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General

California AG Challenging Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Attorney General Becerra, CARB Lead Coalition in Challenging Trump Administration's Insufficient Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Airplanes SACRAMENTO, CA (STL.News) California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) today led a multistate coalition in filing a lawsuit challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from airplanes at a level that would result in no reductions in emissions as compared to business-as-usual. The aviation industry is the largest unregulated transportation source of GHGs in the United States, contributing 12% of total transportation-related emissions. Given the long lead time necessary for manufacturers to develop new aircraft designs, the EPA's final ...

Maine Attorney General Frey Releases Drug Death Report of 2020

13Jan

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General

Maine Attorney General Frey Releases Drug Death Report of 2020

Augusta, ME (STL.News) The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and the Office of Chief Medical Examiner have released figures demonstrating that drug overdose deaths slightly decreased in the third quarter of 2020, though the total year-to-date deaths is on pace to significantly exceed those in 2019. Attorney General Aaron M. Frey says that the numbers are still too high and serve as evidence of the opioid epidemic's continued force as a public health crisis. In response to the report, Attorney General Frey said, "we must urgently work to connect Mainers who are struggling with substance use disorder with the resources they need to protect them and help them advance in recovery, and we must come together as a community to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control so that barriers to tre...

Arizona AG Brnovich Obtains Judgment Against Santiago Montelon

13Jan

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General

Arizona AG Brnovich Obtains Judgment Against Santiago Montelon

AG Brnovich Obtains Judgment Against Used Car Dealer in Odometer Rollback Case PHOENIX, AZ (STL.News) Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced today that his office obtained a judgment against Santiago Ramirez Montelon, owner of Pacific Auto Sales in Mesa, related to violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. The judgment bars Montelon from engaging in the business of selling or financing used motor vehicles or owning a used car dealership. The State’s lawsuit alleged that Montelon altered odometers of approximately 23 vehicles from April 2014 to December 2017. Montelon purportedly advertised the vehicles using false mileage figures on Craigslist and then sold those to unsuspecting Arizona buyers. The State alleged that Montelon failed to honor the statutorily mandated implied warr...

Florida Attorney General Moody to Illuminate Florida’s Historic Capitol Blue

11Jan

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Politics

Florida Attorney General Moody to Illuminate Florida’s Historic Capitol Blue

Attorney General Moody to Illuminate Florida’s Historic Capitol Blue to Shine a Light on Human Trafficking TALLAHASSEE, FL (STL.News) Attorney General Ashley Moody, beginning at 6 p.m. tonight, will light Florida’s Historic Capitol blue to raise awareness of human trafficking. Today, Jan. 11, is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Blue is the international color for human trafficking awareness and is traditionally worn on this day as part of the Blue Campaign—an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the illicit enterprise. Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “As Attorney General, I am committed to ending human trafficking in Florida. This is a momentous goal and we need as much help from Floridians on this miss...

California Attorney General Joins Bipartisan Coalition Pushing FDA

11Jan

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General

California Attorney General Joins Bipartisan Coalition Pushing FDA

Attorney General Becerra Joins Bipartisan Coalition Pushing FDA to Examine Progress in Opioid Fight SACRAMENTO, CA (STL.News) California Attorney General Xavier Becerra joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general today in urging the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to provide an update on its current actions and information on the agency’s future work to help combat the opioid epidemic. Studies have shown that the COVID-19 crisis has fueled a devastating rise in overdoses with opioid deaths outpacing COVID-19 fatalities. To combat the opioid epidemic, the U.S. Congress passed the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (SUPPORT Act) in 2018. The law gave the FDA new authority and new requirements...

Alabama: Scam Warning for COVID-19 Testing, and Vaccines

10Jan

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Health

Alabama: Scam Warning for COVID-19 Testing, and Vaccines

Alabama Department of Public Health, Medicaid Agency, Attorney General Issue Warning on Scams Claiming to Offer COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines MONTGOMERY, AL (STL.News) The Department of Public Health and the Alabama Medicaid Agency are receiving reports of citizens being contacted at their homes for the purpose of being offered COVID-19 vaccinations at home. In addition, individuals claiming to be employees of the Medicaid Agency are contacting recipients by phone or in person and offering free COVID-19 testing. State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, Medicaid Commissioner Stephanie McGee Azar and Attorney General Steve Marshall warn that this is a scam and anyone who is contacted about an offer for free in-home COVID-19 testing or vaccinations should immediately end the contact. T...

Florida AG Shuts Down Ellenwood Academy, owner Joseph Williams

10Jan

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Education

Florida AG Shuts Down Ellenwood Academy, owner Joseph Williams

Florida Attorney General Moody Shuts Down Florida Diploma Mill, Ellenwood Academy, LLC and its owner Joseph Williams, and Secures Restitution for Students TALLAHASSEE, FL (STL.News) Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is recovering funds for students of a Florida diploma mill after the Attorney General’s Office successfully litigated and obtained the shutdown of the sham academy. Earlier this week, Attorney General Moody secured the court’s approval of a consent judgment providing restitution for students and permanent injunction against Riverview-based Ellenwood Academy, LLC and the diploma mill’s owner Joseph Williams. The Hillsborough County Circuit Court awarded the stipulated relief that includes a permanent ban against Ellenwood Academy and Williams on operating, managing, ow...

Statement of Attorney General on the Death of Capitol Police Officer

8Jan

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General

Statement of Attorney General on the Death of Capitol Police Officer

Statement of Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen on the Death of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick Acting Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen issued the following statement: (STL.News) “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and fellow officers of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who succumbed last night to the injuries he suffered defending the U.S. Capitol, against the violent mob who stormed it on January 6th. The FBI and Metropolitan Police Department will jointly investigate the case and the Department of Justice will spare no resources in investigating and holding accountable those responsible.” SOURCE: USDOJ.Today

Florida Attorney General – Releases 2019 Hate Crimes Report

30Dec

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General

Florida Attorney General – Releases 2019 Hate Crimes Report

TALLAHASSEE, FL (STL.News) The Florida Attorney General’s Office today released the 2019 Report on Hate Crimes in Florida. The report includes detailed information on the types of hate crimes being reported throughout the state to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement under the Uniform Crime Reporting information system. Hate crimes are senseless, criminal acts based on hatred and bias towards individuals or groups because of race, religion, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics. According to the report, 134 hate crimes were reported statewide from January 1, through December 31, 2018. In 1989, the Florida Legislature passed laws designed to address the issue of hate crimes. Section 775.085, Florida Statutes, was created to increase penalties for convictions of c...

UK News: Attorney General clarifies law on sexual assault

10Dec

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General

UK News: Attorney General clarifies law on sexual assault

(STL.News) The Court of Appeal has today agreed with the Attorney General, Rt Hon Suella Braverman QC MP, that it is not necessary in a sexual assault case for the prosecution to prove that the offender’s intent was sexual. The Attorney referred this case in her role as ‘Guardian of the Public Interest’. The Attorney General asked the Court to clarify the law in this area after a defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found not guilty of a sexual assault for forcefully kissing a woman on the mouth. During the trial, the prosecution argued that what happened to the victim was clearly both an “assault” and also “sexual” as it involved a forceable kiss on the victim. The defense said it was not “sexual” if the defendant did not intend it to be. The Judge agreed with the...

Delaware Attorney General announces $86.3 million settlement with Nationstar

7Dec

By STLNEWSNo Comments

Business

Delaware Attorney General announces $86.3 million settlement with Nationstar

(STL.News) Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced Monday that Delaware has joined with 51 attorneys general and other federal and state agencies to reachan $86.3 million settlement with Nationstar Mortgage. Nationstar is the country’s fourth-largest mortgage servicer. The consent judgment resolves allegations that Nationstar, which does business as “Mr. Cooper,” violated consumer protection laws during its servicing of mortgage loans. The settlement provides restitution for a variety of harms that were identified in the investigation. Thousands of borrowers had problems when their loans were transferred to Nationstar, leading to foreclosure in some circumstances. “We are holding Nationstar accountable for harming homeowners by improperly servicing their mortgage loans,...