States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
N.J. A.G. Office: State Grand Jury Declines to File Criminal Charges in Connection With July 2024 Fatal Crash in East Orange During Pursuit by Bloomfield Police
TRENTON, New Jersey, Feb. 11 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Office issued the following news release:
* * *
State Grand Jury Declines to File Criminal Charges in Connection with July 2024 Fatal Crash in East Orange During Pursuit by Bloomfield Police
A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding the death of Omar Williams, 43, of Hamilton in Mercer County, who died during a July 23, 2024 encounter in East Orange, New Jersey, with members of the Bloomfield Police Department (BPD).
Mr. Williams' death was investigated by the Office
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, Feb. 11 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Office issued the following news release:
* * *
State Grand Jury Declines to File Criminal Charges in Connection with July 2024 Fatal Crash in East Orange During Pursuit by Bloomfield Police
A state grand jury has voted not to file criminal charges at the conclusion of its deliberations regarding the death of Omar Williams, 43, of Hamilton in Mercer County, who died during a July 23, 2024 encounter in East Orange, New Jersey, with members of the Bloomfield Police Department (BPD).
Mr. Williams' death was investigated by the Officeof Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive. The investigation included witness interviews, photographs, radio transmissions, review of video footage from police dashboard cameras, body-worn cameras, and third-party cameras, as well as autopsy results from a medical examiner. This evidence, including video footage of the incident, was presented to a state grand jury. After hearing the testimony and evidence, the grand jury finished deliberating on February 9, 2026, and voted "no bill," concluding no criminal charges should be filed against the relevant officer.
According to the investigation, at approximately 10:57 a.m. on July 23, 2024, a female victim was robbed of her purse while exiting an Acme grocery store in Montclair. At approximately 11:12 a.m., a separate female victim was pushed to the ground and robbed of her purse while exiting a CVS in Bloomfield. In both incidents, the suspects fled in a Nissan Sentra. Witnesses reported the Nissan's license plate number. Law enforcement authorities later determined the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Montclair the day prior to the robberies.
Later that same day, authorities learned from automated license plate recognition (ALPR) notifications that the Nissan was in Newark. At approximately 12:57 p.m., Bloomfield Deputy Chief Anthony Sisco, in an unmarked police vehicle, located the Nissan in that city. He advised other units of his location and Lieutenant Michael Moleski, along with Detective James Romano, arrived in their unmarked police vehicle and joined Deputy Chief Sisco. The Nissan then sped away. Lieutenant Moleski and Detective Romano pursued the Nissan from Newark into East Orange, where they were joined by Sergeant Raymond Diaz in a marked police vehicle. Sergeant Diaz, utilizing the vehicle's lights and sirens, began following the involved vehicles. The pursuit spanned approximately 2.9 miles and lasted about four minutes.
At approximately 1:08 p.m., the Nissan drove into the wrong lane of travel on Park Avenue in East Orange. Simultaneously, a Toyota Camry driven by an uninvolved citizen pulled into the center lane to make a left turn. As the Toyota turned, the Nissan sideswiped the Toyota. The impact caused the Nissan to strike the front of a parked ambulance. Law enforcement officers removed Mr. Williams, who was unconscious at the time, from the Nissan. EMS transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 1:38 p.m. All other involved civilians suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Footage from law enforcement and third-party cameras related to the encounter were previously released and are posted online here.
N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2), requires the Attorney General's Office to conduct investigations of a person's death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer's official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the involved officers. The grand jury is instructed on the elements of the potential criminal offenses, including criminal homicide offenses, that could be brought and, as required by statutes, the grand jury is instructed on self-defense and other forms of legal justification.
A conflicts check was conducted pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and no actual or potential conflicts of interest were found involving any individual assigned to OPIA's investigation. Prior to presentation to the grand jury, the investigation was reviewed by OPIA Executive Director Eric Gibson.
Now that the investigation has concluded, pursuant to the Independent Prosecutor Directive and SOPs, OPIA will determine whether any officer should be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency for administrative review in accordance with the AG's Internal Affairs Policy & Procedures. OPIA will monitor any resulting review and take such actions as are necessary to ensure that the review is completed in a timely fashion, and that appropriate actions are taken based on the results of the review.
Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated in New Jersey under the Independent Prosecutor Directive can be found here (https://www.nj.gov/oag/dcj/agguide/directives/ag-Directive-2019-4.pdf).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/state-grand-jury-declines-to-file-criminal-charges-in-connection-with-july-2024-fatal-crash-in-east-orange-during-pursuit-by-bloomfield-police/
Mo. A.G. Hanaway Takes Aim At Illegal Gaming Machines
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 11 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Hanaway Takes Aim At Illegal Gaming Machines
In an ongoing and continuous effort to reclaim our communities from the harms of illegal gaming halls, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her Office has filed suit against five retail shops for operating illegal gambling machines and providing public access to unlicensed and unregulated games in direct violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
"When retail shops turn a blind
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 11 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Hanaway Takes Aim At Illegal Gaming Machines
In an ongoing and continuous effort to reclaim our communities from the harms of illegal gaming halls, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that her Office has filed suit against five retail shops for operating illegal gambling machines and providing public access to unlicensed and unregulated games in direct violation of the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act.
"When retail shops turn a blindeye or facilitate a space for illegal gambling, they are not only ignoring the law, they are putting our communities at risk," said Attorney General Hanaway. "Lawlessness has always been a magnet for organized crime. My Office will hold any business accountable for profiting off of unlawful activity, and we will do everything in our power to shut illegal gaming and gambling machines down."
Missouri's laws are clear: It is illegal to provide access to unregulated machines and games for gambling purposes. The Attorney General's Office, working collaboratively with local officials who are pursuing criminal charges, is filing five lawsuits against retail shops in Dunklin County. These businesses have knowingly advanced illegal gambling on their premises in violation of Missouri's Merchandising Practices Act and Missouri's nuisance gambling laws.
These suits are being filed against:
1. Discount Spirits and Tobacco in Kennett;
2. Dixie Package in Malden;
3. Kennett Liquor and Tobacco in Kennett;
4. Laura's Mini Mart in Kennett; and
5. Swindle's Quick Shop in Malden.
The two types of illegal gambling machines being unlawfully housed in these retail shops are Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) and fishing table games. Users typically insert cash to play. When the user wants to cash out, they receive a ticket which is cashed by the retail shops.
These retail stores are utilizing their premises to advance unlawful gambling, constituting them as a public nuisance. The Attorney General's Office is asking the Court for civil penalties and for a permanent injunction prohibiting these establishments from providing gambling services that are detrimental to our communities.
In addition to the State's request for injunctive relief, the Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney has filed criminal charges, following an investigation by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control.
"Promoting gambling is a felony offense that harms our community by taking Missourians' hard-earned money. I am proud to work with the Attorney General's Office to hold those who operate illegal slot machines accountable," said Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Nicholas Jain. "My office is filing felony charges against these gambling machine operators and will continue collaborating with our leaders to stop these illegal actions."
Attorney General Hanaway will continue to work with local, state, and federal officials to root out problematic and illegal activities across the entire State of Missouri.
The full petition to Discount Spirits and Tobacco can be read here (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&id=1af30e80d5&e=db9c683b19__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!HR02cgmKnEdXnDVbhd-04Sgt1j6Uh30xKwBM-FCmt1fPe63cusbTItH9Ed8LsHe80Zotk_tJuJVjH4QxgAJzvOfS$).
The full petition to Dixie Package can be read here (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&id=c3c070a0c4&e=db9c683b19__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!HR02cgmKnEdXnDVbhd-04Sgt1j6Uh30xKwBM-FCmt1fPe63cusbTItH9Ed8LsHe80Zotk_tJuJVjH4QxgJiRFW4f$).
The full petition to Kennett Liquor and Tobacco can be read here (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&id=500f565863&e=db9c683b19__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!HR02cgmKnEdXnDVbhd-04Sgt1j6Uh30xKwBM-FCmt1fPe63cusbTItH9Ed8LsHe80Zotk_tJuJVjH4QxgCYwLE-X$).
The full petition to Laura's Mini Mart can be read here (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&id=4614b71209&e=db9c683b19__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!HR02cgmKnEdXnDVbhd-04Sgt1j6Uh30xKwBM-FCmt1fPe63cusbTItH9Ed8LsHe80Zotk_tJuJVjH4QxgKX0WafE$).
The full petition to Swindle's Quick Shop can be read here (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&id=f5612a95bd&e=db9c683b19__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!HR02cgmKnEdXnDVbhd-04Sgt1j6Uh30xKwBM-FCmt1fPe63cusbTItH9Ed8LsHe80Zotk_tJuJVjH4QxgLzUDzDK$).
* * *
Original text here: https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-hanaway-takes-aim-at-illegal-gaming-machines/
Mo. A.G. Hanaway Cracks Down On Business Selling Illegal THC Products Marketed Towards Minors
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 11 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Hanaway Cracks Down On Business Selling Illegal THC Products Marketed Towards Minors
To protect children from the devastating harms of dangerous, psychoactive drugs, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed suit against Pressure STL, a business selling unregulated THC products without a license, including items deceptively marketed as non-intoxicating, well-known candy and snack brands enjoyed by children.
"We will not stand idly by as adolescents
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Feb. 11 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Hanaway Cracks Down On Business Selling Illegal THC Products Marketed Towards Minors
To protect children from the devastating harms of dangerous, psychoactive drugs, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway filed suit against Pressure STL, a business selling unregulated THC products without a license, including items deceptively marketed as non-intoxicating, well-known candy and snack brands enjoyed by children.
"We will not stand idly by as adolescentsare indoctrinated into addiction by unlicensed businesses prioritizing profit over consumers," said Attorney General Hanaway. "My Office will not tolerate drug dealers hiding behind candy wrappers."
As part of an ongoing operation to crack down on public nuisances and reclaim our communities, the Attorney General's Office launched a lawsuit asserting that Pressure STL is selling deceptively marketed products outside of Missouri's constitutional framework for legal marijuana. The Missouri Constitution and state law require safety testing and regulatory oversight of products, in addition to age-verification to ensure that underage persons do not have access to drugs.
Pressure STL is openly marketing dangerous products containing THC amounts well over the potency threshold designated by the 2018 Farm Bill. These THC products, which are often created through chemical conversion processes, may also contain contaminants, solvents, or unknown byproducts. These products are dangerous. The FDA has not approved any intoxicating hemp products or hemp-derived cannabinoids for safe use.
"My message to bad actors drawing crime to our communities: If you are selling harmful, misleading products to consumers - especially children - my Office will act without hesitation," said Attorney General Hanaway.
The lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, is seeking civil penalties and injunctive relief prohibiting Pressure STL from selling cannabis products. Missourians who believe they were misled or harmed by intoxicating hemp products are encouraged to call the AGO Consumer Protection hotline at 800-392-8222 or file a complaint at ago.mo.gov.
Attorney General Hanaway will continue to clean up our streets and root out illegal activities across the entire State of Missouri.
The full lawsuit against Pressure STL can be read here (https://ago.mo.gov/wp-content/uploads/Petition.pdf).
* * *
Original text here: https://ago.mo.gov/attorney-general-hanaway-cracks-down-on-business-selling-illegal-thc-products-marketed-towards-minors/
Md. A.G. Brown Urges Congress to Pass Kids Online Safety Act
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Feb. 11 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Brown Urges Congress to Pass Kids Online Safety Act
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from around the country, urged Congressional leadership to protect children from online harm and pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
The letter, signed by 40 attorneys general, was circulated to House and Senate leadership in advance of potential consideration of the House version of KOSA, H.R.
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Feb. 11 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Brown Urges Congress to Pass Kids Online Safety Act
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, alongside a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from around the country, urged Congressional leadership to protect children from online harm and pass the Senate version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
The letter, signed by 40 attorneys general, was circulated to House and Senate leadership in advance of potential consideration of the House version of KOSA, H.R.6484, which contains expansive preemption language. States have pioneered laws that promote online safety for minors, and attorneys general expressed concern in their letter that the provisions in H.R. 6484 (unlike the version being considered by the Senate) could undermine existing and future state laws designed to protect children online and would limit states' ability to respond to and address new and emerging online harms.
In the letter, the attorneys general expressed support for the Senate version of KOSA, S. 1748, which includes a key Duty of Care requirement while enhancing and preserving states' authority to enforce and strengthen online protection for minors.
This push for federal legislation comes as many state attorneys general offices have launched investigations and lawsuits against major social media platforms like Meta and TikTok for their targeting of underage users. The attorneys general emphasized the urgency of Congressional action as scrutiny of social media companies intensifies and evidence mounts regarding the harmful impact of addictive design features on children and teens.
Attorney General Brown is sending this letter to Congressional leadership alongside the Attorneys General of the sponsoring states of Connecticut, Hawaii, Ohio, and Tennessee, who are joined by American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Wyoming.
* * *
Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Urges-Congress-to-Pass-Kids-Online-Safety-Act.aspx
HAWAII A.G. LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE EFFORT URGING CONGRESS TO PASS KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 11 -- Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez issued the following news release:
* * *
ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNE LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE EFFORT URGING CONGRESS TO PASS KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT
Attorney General Anne Lopez led a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from around the country, with a letter urging Congressional leadership to protect children from online harm and pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
The letter, signed by 40 attorneys general, was circulated to House and Senate leadership in advance of potential consideration of the House version of KOSA, House
... Show Full Article
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 11 -- Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez issued the following news release:
* * *
ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNE LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE EFFORT URGING CONGRESS TO PASS KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT
Attorney General Anne Lopez led a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general from around the country, with a letter urging Congressional leadership to protect children from online harm and pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA).
The letter, signed by 40 attorneys general, was circulated to House and Senate leadership in advance of potential consideration of the House version of KOSA, Houseof Representatives (H.R.) bill 6484, which contains expansive preemption language. States have pioneered laws that promote online safety for minors and attorneys general expressed concern in their letter that the provisions in H.R. 6484 could undermine existing and future state laws designed to protect children online -- and would limit states' ability to respond to and address new and emerging online harms.
"Hawaii and other states have led the way in responding to evolving digital harms and holding online platforms accountable," said Attorney General Lopez. "We urge Congress to build on that work by passing a strong Kids Online Safety Act that requires social media companies to design their products with children's safety in mind and empowers states to continue enforcing protections for our keiki." In the letter, the attorneys general expressed support for the Senate version of KOSA, Senate bill 1748, which includes a key Duty of Care requirement while enhancing and preserving states' authority to enforce and strengthen online protection for minors.
This push for federal legislation comes as many state attorneys general offices have launched investigations and lawsuits against major social media platforms like Meta and TikTok for their targeting of underage users. The attorneys general emphasized the urgency of Congressional action, as scrutiny of social media companies intensifies and evidence mounts regarding the harmful impact of addictive design features on children and teens.
Attorney General Lopez led the effort to send this letter to Congressional leadership alongside the attorneys general of American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands and Wyoming.
A copy of the letter is available here (https://ag.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/01-30-KOSA_FINAL.pdf).
* * *
INFODOC: https://ag.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/01-30-KOSA_FINAL.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://ag.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/News-Release-2026-06.pdf
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Demands Answers From DHS on Proposed ICE Detention Facility in Surprise
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 11 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Demands Answers from DHS on Proposed ICE Detention Facility in Surprise
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes this week sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers about the proposed conversion of a 418,000-square-foot warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing and detention facility for 1,500 detainees.
The facility, located near the intersection of Sweetwater Avenue
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 11 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Demands Answers from DHS on Proposed ICE Detention Facility in Surprise
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes this week sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers about the proposed conversion of a 418,000-square-foot warehouse in Surprise, Arizona, into an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing and detention facility for 1,500 detainees.
The facility, located near the intersection of Sweetwater Avenueand Dysart Road, sits just 300 yards from residential homes and roughly a mile from a high school with a student population that is over 60 percent Hispanic.
"Prior to the starting any construction or operational activities, DHS must answer basic questions about the use of the facility and its impacts upon the local community," Attorney General Mayes wrote. Mayes also noted that local officials were not informed of the purchase in advance and that over eighty residents voiced concerns at a Surprise City Council meeting on February 3, 2026.
Attorney General Mayes joined a bipartisan chorus of federal lawmakers -- including U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar (R-AZ-9), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-3), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4), and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-7) -- in seeking information from DHS. The letter poses ten detailed questions covering impacts to local schools, traffic, noise, water supply, waste disposal, medical care for detainees, and strain on municipal fire, law enforcement, and emergency services.
A copy of the letter is available here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=e5c4ca1847&e=9153ff6c96).
* * *
INFODOC: https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=e5c4ca1847&e=9153ff6c96
* * *
Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-demands-answers-dhs-proposed-ice-detention-facility-surprise
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces $11.8 Million Settlement With Choice Home Warranty
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 11 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Feb. 10, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Announces $11.8 Million Settlement with Choice Home Warranty
Largest settlement with home warranty company in Arizona history
*
Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that she has resolved her office's long-running consumer fraud lawsuit against Choice Home Warranty, a New Jersey service contract company operating in Arizona and throughout the country.
The judgment entered with the Arizona Attorney General's Office on January 23, 2026, requires
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Feb. 11 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Feb. 10, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Announces $11.8 Million Settlement with Choice Home Warranty
Largest settlement with home warranty company in Arizona history
*
Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that she has resolved her office's long-running consumer fraud lawsuit against Choice Home Warranty, a New Jersey service contract company operating in Arizona and throughout the country.
The judgment entered with the Arizona Attorney General's Office on January 23, 2026, requiresChoice Home Warranty to reform its sales practices and to provide meaningful disclosure to consumers prior to selling warranties. Choice Home Warranty has also agreed to pay $11.8 million.
The Arizona Attorney General's Office filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against Choice Home Warranty in 2019 after being inundated with consumer complaints alleging that the company failed to replace air conditioning units and other home appliances it had advertised as being covered.
These practices were detailed in various news reports by local stations in Arizona and throughout the country. The lawsuit against Choice Home Warranty gained new life once Attorney General Mayes came into office, and quickly became a focus of her office's efforts to address consumer fraud targeting homeowners and Arizona seniors.
"Choice Home Warranty allegedly misrepresented the coverage provided by their warranties and pocketed millions of dollars from Arizonans, particularly veterans, senior citizens, and others living on fixed incomes," said Attorney General Kris Mayes. "Businesses cannot hide behind fine print and hidden disclosures to exploit our most vulnerable consumers. This conduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by my office, even if it means fighting scammers and fraudsters for years on end. We don't quit."
Since 2013, more than 1,500 Arizona customers have submitted complaints against Choice Home Warranty to the Arizona Attorney General, the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, and to the Better Business Bureau. These complaints illustrate the scope of the harm allegedly caused by the company and their false coverage claims.
Customers frequently reported that Choice Home Warranty's telephone sales representatives failed to disclose various exclusions and limitations that undermined the value of the warranty product, or had outright misrepresented what repairs or replacements their warranties would cover. Choice Home Warranty and the executives operating the company were previously investigated by the New Jersey Attorney General for their business practices, resulting in a $780,000 settlement in 2015, but their conduct seemed to continue even after that settlement was reached.
Choice Home Warranty denies the allegations made by the State and has not admitted any wrongdoing as part of the settlement agreement.
Choice Home Warranty customers who purchased a warranty over the phone between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2023 to cover a home located in Arizona may be eligible to receive restitution. Consumers do not need to file a complaint with our office.
The Arizona Attorney General's Office will release additional information at a later date regarding eligibility, including where and how to apply. Restitution will be distributed by the Arizona Attorney General's Office once adequate funds are received from the settlement.
Assistant Attorneys General Mitchell Allee, Stephen Silverman, Dylan Jones, Suzanne Pendergast, John Dillon and the Consumer Protection and Advocacy Section handled this case.
The Arizona Attorney General's Office extends its sincere appreciation to the Better Business Bureau of Arizona, the attorneys at the law firm of Gallagher & Kennedy, and the many Choice Home Warranty customers and Arizona contractors who assisted with this litigation.
If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, you can file a consumer complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. If you need a complaint form sent to you, you can contact the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.
A copy of the consent judgment is available here (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=7ded8e7f0f&e=9153ff6c96).
* * *
Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-118-million-settlement-choice-home-warranty