News from 2024
Attorney general files lawsuit against Altice over unlawful network enhancement fee
Attorney General William Tong has initiated a lawsuit against Altice/Optimum Online, seeking to cease and recoup millions of dollars in unlawfully charged “Network Enhancement Fees.” The complaint also aims to hold the company accountable for undisclosed limitations regarding advertised speeds.
Oregon DOJ concludes OLCC probe; no criminal charges warranted
In a letter addressed to Governor Tina Kotek, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that the Oregon Department of Justice (DOJ) has concluded its investigation into allegations against employees of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). The employees were accused of improperly using their positions to acquire sought-after bottles of bourbon. However, after an exhaustive investigation, the DOJ has determined that criminal charges are not warranted.
Married couple indicted for alleged contractor fraud scheme in Pueblo
On May 13, 2024, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced that a statewide grand jury has returned a 20-count indictment against a married couple for allegedly conducting a contractor fraud scheme in the Pueblo area. The scheme followed a hailstorm in the spring of 2021.
White House Roundtable drives forward interagency collaboration for legal aid
The White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR), overseen by the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ), has been actively working this year to enhance collaboration among 28 federal agencies with the aim of advancing access to justice. LAIR's mission is to "improve coordination among Federal programs, so that programs are more efficient and produce better outcomes," including broadening access to legal services.
Justice Department addresses surge in threats against election officials
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland recently addressed the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the importance of protecting election workers and officials from violent threats. The Task Force was launched three years ago in response to a surge in such threats following the 2020 election.
Ohio man pleads guilty to creating disturbing animal abuse videos
An Ohio man, Ronald P. Bedra of Etna, has pleaded guilty to creating and distributing videos that depict extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys. The plea agreement was unsealed today.
Ohio man receives prison sentence for violating Clean Air Act
An Ohio man has been sentenced to prison for violating the Clean Air Act through an aftermarket scheme that disabled the emissions control systems of diesel trucks. Davis Owens, 34, from Cleves, Hamilton County, was handed a sentence of 30 days in prison, seven months of home confinement and one year of supervised release. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the tampering of a monitoring device required under the Clean Air Act.
Waiter, there's a plate in my food
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida man is suing Texas Roadhouse after he says a piece of broken plate in his food caused him injuries.
Personal injury lawyer wanted his ad on cars but says he was cheated
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - A Texas lawyer says a company that was supposed to put his ad on cars and drive them around failed to deliver.
City not liable for unqualified inspector's OK of stairs that caused slip-and-fall
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - An Iowa city can’t be sued for hiring an unqualified inspector who failed to flag stairs that didn’t meet building code requirements, the state Supreme Court ruled, shutting down an apartment building owner’s attempt to drag the city into a slip-and-fall lawsuit.
Lawyers want $9 million for Walmart produce settlement
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Touting their "skill, experience and efficiency," plaintiff lawyers who sued Walmart over the weight and price of produce are asking a federal judge for $9 million.
Sadism by guards in Fla. prison leads to man's brutal death and mutilation, lawsuit says
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A man was paired with a dangerous cellmate for the amusement of Florida prison guards, a lawsuit alleges, leading to his violent and disturbing death.
Ohio AG releases statement on slain Euclid police officer
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has released a statement concerning the tragic death of Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin, who was killed in the line of duty on Saturday evening.
Buckeye Institute challenges legality of Biden's student loan forgiveness plan
On Friday, The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in the case of Kansas v. Biden at the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. The institute challenged the legality of the Biden administration's latest student debt cancellation program, arguing that it surpasses the legal authority of the secretary of education. It also contended that the program is arbitrary and capricious, and was adopted in a procedurally improper manner.
Disruptive Technology Strike Force discusses foreign threats at annual conference
The Disruptive Technology Strike Force, a specialized unit focused on advanced technology threats, recently convened with US government and private sector partners. The conference was centered around discussions about the threat posed by hostile foreign governments to advanced U.S. technology and the ongoing efforts to counteract these threats.
U.S. law enforcement disrupts over 3,000 money mule networks in anti-fraud initiative
The U.S. Justice Department, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and other federal law enforcement agencies have announced the completion of the Money Mule Initiative. This annual campaign aims to identify, disrupt, and criminally prosecute networks of individuals who transmit funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters. The initiative targets a range of fraud schemes that predominantly impact older Americans, such as lottery fraud, romance scams and grandparent scams as well as those that target businesses or government pandemic funds.
Virginia AG joins multi-state lawsuit against new EPA regulations
Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia has joined a coalition of 25 states in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new rule on existing power plants fueled by coal, natural gas, and oil. The suit, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, seeks to review and declare the rule unlawful.
Mexico extradites alleged cartel chemical supplier to US for trial
A Mexican national, accused of supplying the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG or Jalisco Cartel) with precursor chemicals for controlled substances production, was extradited from Mexico to Washington, D.C., today to face trial. Francisco Pulido Coracero, 66, is set to make his initial court appearance on May 13 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya in the District of Columbia.
Hawai'i Women Lawyers honor Judges Browning and Morikawa
HONOLULU — First Circuit Chief Judge R. Mark Browning (ret.) and First Circuit Judge Trish K. Morikawa have been honored by the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers (HWL). The recognition took place on April 25 at the Hoʻokupu Center.
Hawaii CEO convicted in $28M decade-long investment fraud scheme
A Hawaii-based man, Curtiss E. Jackson, was convicted by a federal jury for his involvement in a decade-long fraudulent scheme that cost investors of Semisub Inc. and Semisub LLC (collectively referred to as "Semisub") over $28 million.