States, Cities and Counties
Here's a look at documents covering state government, cities and counties
Featured Stories
N.J. A.G. Platkin Announces Settlement Requiring Key Anti-Theft Upgrades on Hyundai, Kia Vehicles
TRENTON, New Jersey, Dec. 17 -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2025:
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AG Platkin Announces Settlement Requiring Key Anti-Theft Upgrades on Hyundai, Kia Vehicles
Bipartisan Multistate Coalition Secures Latest Anti-Theft Upgrade for Certain Models
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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced that New Jersey co-led a coalition of 35 other states in a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia for their sale of millions of vehicles nationwide that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology.
Under the
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, Dec. 17 -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2025:
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AG Platkin Announces Settlement Requiring Key Anti-Theft Upgrades on Hyundai, Kia Vehicles
Bipartisan Multistate Coalition Secures Latest Anti-Theft Upgrade for Certain Models
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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin today announced that New Jersey co-led a coalition of 35 other states in a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia for their sale of millions of vehicles nationwide that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology.
Under thesettlement, Hyundai and Kia have agreed to:
* Equip all future vehicles sold in the United States with industry-standard, engine immobilizer anti-theft technology;
* Offer free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to owners or lessees of eligible vehicles, including vehicles that previously were only eligible for the companies' software updates, in order to prevent thieves from starting these cars without a key;
* Provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to eligible consumers whose cars are damaged by thieves; and
* Pay $4.5 million to the states to defray the costs of the investigation.
"For years, Hyundai and Kia deliberately failed to include industry-standard anti-theft technology in their vehicles, contributing to a nationwide spike in auto thefts. That ends now. Today's settlement is a key step in our ongoing efforts to prevent auto thefts--and to hold carmakers accountable for their shameful failure to take appropriate action to prevent auto thefts," said Attorney General Platkin. "The settlement announced today builds on the tireless work of law enforcement leaders across the state to combat auto theft and keep our communities safe--work that has resulted in dramatic reductions in auto thefts statewide."
Hyundai and Kia chose not to include anti-theft "engine immobilizer" technology in millions of their vehicles sold throughout the United States. An engine immobilizer prevents thieves from starting a vehicle's engine without the vehicle's "smart" key, which stores the vehicle's electronic security code. According to one report, in 2015, only 26% of the vehicles Kia and Hyundai sold in the United States were equipped with engine immobilizers, compared to 96% of the vehicles sold by other manufacturers.
Because many Hyundai and Kia vehicles did not have engine immobilizers, car thieves devised a quick and simple way to access these vehicles' ignition cylinder and start these cars without a key. This method quickly went viral in 2023, leading to a drastic increase in Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts throughout the nation. Not only did the number of thefts explode, but many of the vehicles were used in connection with crimes and were involved in many traffic collisions. In fact, in 2023, although Hyundais and Kias made up about 6.5% of the vehicles on New Jersey roads, they accounted for roughly 19% of all auto thefts that year.
In response to the surge in thefts, Attorney General Platkin issued public consumer warnings regarding theft vulnerabilities affecting certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles and released an explainer video to educate New Jersey residents about the risk of auto theft, theft trends, and steps vehicle owners could take to protect their vehicles.
Hyundai and Kia were slow to respond to the crisis, waiting until 2023 to launch a service campaign to update the software on most of the affected vehicles. Hyundai and Kia also offered to install a zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector, but only for the roughly 20% of their vehicles that were ineligible for this software update. While the companies claimed that the software update was effective at preventing the viral theft method, the states alleged that the software update could be, and in fact was, easily bypassed by thieves.
As a result of the settlement announced today, consumers with eligible vehicles can now have zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors, which prevent thieves from accessing the ignition assembly, installed on their vehicle free of charge.
Eligible consumers will be notified by the companies that they will have one year from the date of the notice to make an appointment to have the zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector installed at their local Hyundai or Kia authorized dealerships. Attorney General Platkin urges consumers to schedule the installation of the zinc-reinforce ignition cylinder protector as soon as possible.
In addition, consumers who previously installed the software update on their vehicles (or were scheduled to do so) but nonetheless experienced a theft or attempted theft of their vehicle on or after April 29, 2025, are eligible to file a claim for restitution for certain theft and attempted-theft related expenses. For more information about eligibility and how to submit a claim for compensation, please visit the following:
* For Hyundai - Visit HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com
* For Kia - Visit https://customercare.kiausa.com/SWLD or call (800) 333-4Kia(4542)
Connecticut, Minnesota, and New Hampshire led the multistate settlement, with New Jersey, California, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, and Washington as co-leads. The final settlement was also joined by Arizona, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
View Settlement (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-1216_NJ-12.4-HK-Clean-Final-HK-Signed-New-Jersey-Agreement.pdf) | View Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb9dkvPdIJE)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-platkin-announces-settlement-requiring-key-anti-theft-upgrades-on-hyundai-kia-vehicles/
N.J. A.G. Platkin Announces Lawsuit Against Uber for Consumer Protection Violations
TRENTON, New Jersey, Dec. 17 -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release on Dec. 15, 2025:
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Attorney General Platkin Announces Lawsuit Against Uber for Consumer Protection Violations
Coalition Alleges that Uber Used Deceptive Enrollment, Billing, and Cancellation Practices in Offering Its Subscription Service, Uber One
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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) announced today that New Jersey is joining a coalition of 22 states or county law enforcement agencies suing Uber Technologies, LLC, and Uber USA, LLC,
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, Dec. 17 -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release on Dec. 15, 2025:
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Attorney General Platkin Announces Lawsuit Against Uber for Consumer Protection Violations
Coalition Alleges that Uber Used Deceptive Enrollment, Billing, and Cancellation Practices in Offering Its Subscription Service, Uber One
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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) announced today that New Jersey is joining a coalition of 22 states or county law enforcement agencies suing Uber Technologies, LLC, and Uber USA, LLC,the operators of the rideshare and delivery company, alleging a variety of deceptive and unfair practices related to the Uber One subscription service.
The states are joining the lawsuit first filed by the Federal Trade Commission in April 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
The lawsuit alleges that Uber used a variety of deceptive and unfair practices in offering and selling Uber One subscription services, which Uber promotes as saving money on rides and deliveries, and then making it extremely difficult to cancel the service, once enrolled.
"Too often, companies looking to sell you on the idea of convenience and the opportunity to save money are doing so with one hand already in your wallet," said Attorney General Platkin. "Canceling a subscription service should not force you through a byzantine process that requires clicking through two dozen screens or more, only to have to repeat the process. We'll continue to fight to ensure that all New Jerseyans are protected from deceptive and unfair corporate practices that cost them their hard-earned money."
"This lawsuit describes, in painstaking detail, how people felt trapped and scammed by this service, and how it was almost impossible to leave," said DCA Acting Director Elizabeth M. Harris. "New Jersey has among the strongest consumer protection laws in the nation, and those laws protect against the types of corporate behavior laid out here."
An Uber One subscription typically costs $9.99 a month or $96 a year.
Uber One renews automatically and charges consumers' credit cards or debits their bank accounts directly on a recurring basis. The company claimed that Uber One customers can "cancel anytime" without additional fees, but the lawsuit illustrates how, for most subscribers, canceling the service is extraordinarily difficult. The complaint cites many instances where consumers said they were stuck in circuitous loops navigating an endless array of screens while attempting to cancel.
In fact, consumers have gone through as many as 23 screens and have been forced to take at least 32 actions--including scrolling, clicking, and typing--in order to submit a cancellation request. Consumers then must wait for an Uber customer service representative to respond to their request and process their cancellation.
But even consumers who have found their way to the cancellation support queue have often been unable to promptly cancel or avoid being charged due to excessively long hold times: consumers often report waiting hours or up to a full day to receive a response from Uber, and that they were already billed for the next payment in the interim.
Among other things, the lawsuit alleges that Uber improperly used negative option marketing tactics when it offered free trial subscriptions, a practice that automatically charges consumers if they do not cancel a free trial. A negative option is an offer in which the seller treats a consumer's silence--their failure to reject an offer or cancel an agreement--as consent to be charged for goods or services. The complaint also alleges that Uber charged consumers before their billing date, including users whose free trial has not yet ended, and that consumers were enrolled in the service without their knowledge.
The lawsuit seeks restitution, as well as penalties, costs, and an injunction against Uber for alleged violations of New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act and the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.
New Jersey consumers who wish to file complaints regarding Uber One can do so online, or by writing to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 45025, Newark, New Jersey 07101.
In addition to New Jersey, the state coalition, led by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, includes the attorneys general of Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as the District Attorney for Alameda County.
View Amended Complaint (http://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-1215_FTC-et-al-v.-Uber-et-al-First-Amended-Complaint-Redacted-Public.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-platkin-announces-lawsuit-against-uber-for-consumer-protection-violations/
Maine House Democrats: Rep. Dhalac Issues Statement on LD 1971
AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 17 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release on Dec. 15, 2025:
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Rep. Dhalac issues statement on LD 1971
Today, Gov. Janet Mills announced her intention to let LD 1971 go into law without her signature when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
As amended, the bill, sponsored by Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, would prohibit Maine law enforcement agencies from engaging in federal immigration enforcement. It also clarifies that local and state agencies can continue working with federal partners to investigate serious crimes including terrorism,
... Show Full Article
AUGUSTA, Maine, Dec. 17 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release on Dec. 15, 2025:
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Rep. Dhalac issues statement on LD 1971
Today, Gov. Janet Mills announced her intention to let LD 1971 go into law without her signature when the Legislature reconvenes in January.
As amended, the bill, sponsored by Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, would prohibit Maine law enforcement agencies from engaging in federal immigration enforcement. It also clarifies that local and state agencies can continue working with federal partners to investigate serious crimes including terrorism,drug trafficking and human trafficking.
In response to the announcement, Rep. Dhalac released the following statement:
"I appreciate that Gov. Mills will allow LD 1971 to become law, but I am disappointed that she decided to wait this long. When the Legislature enacted this bill last June, we made it clear that defining the boundaries between state law enforcement and federal immigration authorities was critical to safeguarding our communities. Local police taking part in enforcing federal immigration law damages their relationship with immigrant communities, erodes public trust and makes us all less safe, whether we are immigrants or not. This new law will protect the dignity, due process and public safety of all who call our state home."
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Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/housedems/news/rep-dhalac-issues-statement-ld-1971
MCIS Selects Orangeburg County for First South Carolina Operation
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Dec. 17 -- The South Carolina Department of Commerce posted the following news from Mission Critical Interior Solutions Inc.:
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MCIS selects Orangeburg County for first South Carolina operation
$7.4 million investment will create 49 new jobs.
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Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. (MCIS), a data center solutions contractor and manufacturer, today announced it selects Orangeburg County to establish the company's first South Carolina operation. The $7.4 million investment will create 49 new jobs.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, MCIS creates architectural solutions
... Show Full Article
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Dec. 17 -- The South Carolina Department of Commerce posted the following news from Mission Critical Interior Solutions Inc.:
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MCIS selects Orangeburg County for first South Carolina operation
$7.4 million investment will create 49 new jobs.
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Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. (MCIS), a data center solutions contractor and manufacturer, today announced it selects Orangeburg County to establish the company's first South Carolina operation. The $7.4 million investment will create 49 new jobs.
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, MCIS creates architectural solutionsfor the data center industry. MCIS specializes in the design and installation of containment, raised access flooring, security cages and cabinets, and structural ceiling systems -- each built with precision, safety and trust at the forefront.
The company's expert team bridges engineering intent with constructible execution, delivering end-to-end value from initial concept through final handover. In addition, MCIS designs, manufactures and installs advanced conveyance systems that support the critical infrastructure needs of modern data centers.
The new facility, located at 1014 Railroad Ave. in Springfield, will focus on manufacturing conveyance systems engineered to integrate seamlessly with data center buildouts.
Operations are already online. Individuals interested in joining the MCIS team should visit the company's careers page.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project.
* "Expanding into South Carolina is an exciting milestone for MCIS. This community reflects the same values that drive our company - hard work, integrity, and a commitment to the American workforce. Our new Springfield operation strengthens our ability to serve customers nationwide while creating opportunities for talented individuals who want to grow with a company that puts people first."
-MCIS Principal and CRO Jason Coe
"Mission Critical Interior Solutions' $7.4 million investment reflects South Carolina's exceptional manufacturing capabilities and workforce. We are proud to welcome MCIS to our state and look forward to seeing the company's success in Orangeburg County."
-Gov. Henry McMaster
"We congratulate MCIS on its decision to launch a new manufacturing facility in Orangeburg County. This investment, which brings 49 jobs to the area, shines a light on South Carolina as a leading destination for economic growth and development."
-Secretary of Commerce Harry M. Lightsey III
"MCIS choosing Orangeburg County for its new operation is great news for our county. This $7.4 million investment and 49 new jobs bring meaningful opportunity and strengthen the economic momentum we've been working toward. We appreciate MCIS for choosing Orangeburg County, and we look forward to the lasting, positive impact this project will have for our residents."
-Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright
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Fast Facts
* Mission Critical Interior Solutions, Inc. (MCIS) selects Orangeburg County to establish the company's first South Carolina operation.
* The company's $7.4 million investment will create 49 new jobs.
* MCIS is a data center solutions contractor and manufacturer.
* The company is located at 1014 Railroad Ave. in Springfield, S.C.
* Individuals interested in joining the MCIS team should visit the company's careers page.
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Original text here: https://www.sccommerce.com/news/mcis-selects-orangeburg-county-first-south-carolina-operation
LCRA Awards $24,503 Grant for Renovations to New Colorado County Emergency Operations Center
AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 17 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2025:
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LCRA awards $24,503 grant for renovations to new Colorado County Emergency Operations Center
Upgrades will help remodel, equip center with critical technology upgrades
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COLORADO COUNTY, Texas - Renovations to the new Colorado County Emergency Operations Center soon will be underway, thanks in part to a $24,503 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The community grant, along with $54,539 in matching funds from Colorado County, will help renovate the center as it
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 17 -- The Lower Colorado River Authority issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2025:
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LCRA awards $24,503 grant for renovations to new Colorado County Emergency Operations Center
Upgrades will help remodel, equip center with critical technology upgrades
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COLORADO COUNTY, Texas - Renovations to the new Colorado County Emergency Operations Center soon will be underway, thanks in part to a $24,503 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The community grant, along with $54,539 in matching funds from Colorado County, will help renovate the center as itmoves to an unoccupied county building on Old Altair Road. The center provides a site for first responders and governmental agencies to work together and coordinate responses during emergencies.
"These improvements send a strong message to our community that we are prepared, and we are looking to the future," said Charles Rogers, emergency management coordinator. "Following flooding events like Hurricane Harvey, our county hosted state and federal response teams, and our previous space was much smaller, so it was easily overwhelmed. With this new center we will be able to strengthen coordination between our local law enforcement, fire departments and EMS, which will lead to quicker response times."
The grant will fund renovations such as adding security features and replacing outdated carpeting and lighting, as well as making technology upgrades that Rogers says are necessary for a fully operational emergency operations center.
"Our technology and A/V systems were originally installed in 2005, so they are outdated," Rogers said. "The current system can't even support modern communication platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and they have suffered repeated failures and replacements in recent years."
LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said having an up-to-date Emergency Operations Center, or EOC, is critical in developing, coordinating and directing emergency responses.
"Every minute counts in an emergency, so having the various agencies together in the same place can save valuable time as officials assess available resources and deploy them where they are needed," Wilson said. "We use our EOC at LCRA regularly, and I know from firsthand experience how important it is to have the parties together coordinating responses in the same room."
Wilson also applauded Colorado County for upgrading the technology that will be available in the new center.
"Having real-time information available is crucial in determining what needs to be done as responders work to protect life and property," he said.
The center also functions as a secondary operations coordination site for neighboring counties and external agencies and provides a site for trainings and community meetings.
"Thanks to this grant we're going to be able to bring our emergency operations center online in a matter of months instead of years," Rogers said. "We're not starting from scratch, we're repurposing a county building that has been vacant, so we'll more quickly be able to jump in and serve Colorado County and provide a center for surrounding counties when they're dealing with a storm or other active crisis."
This is one of 41 grants awarded recently through LCRA Community Grants. These grants are awarded twice a year as part of LCRA's effort to give back to communities in its wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
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About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.
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Original text here: https://www.lcra.org/news/news-releases/lcra-awards-24503-grant-for-renovations-to-new-colorado-county-emergency-operations-center/
Del. A.G. Jennings, Colleagues Announce Multistate Anti-theft Settlement With Hyundai and Kia
DOVER, Delaware, Dec. 17 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2025:
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AG Jennings, colleagues announce multistate anti-theft settlement with Hyundai and Kia
Vulnerability drove nearly 300% spike in auto thefts; automakers to offer free hardware fix
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Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced today that a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general, led in part by Delaware, has reached a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia for their sale of millions of vehicles that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology.
... Show Full Article
DOVER, Delaware, Dec. 17 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2025:
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AG Jennings, colleagues announce multistate anti-theft settlement with Hyundai and Kia
Vulnerability drove nearly 300% spike in auto thefts; automakers to offer free hardware fix
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Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced today that a bipartisan coalition of 35 attorneys general, led in part by Delaware, has reached a settlement with automobile manufacturers Hyundai and Kia for their sale of millions of vehicles that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology.This failure resulted in an epidemic of car thefts in Delaware and across the country that continues to threaten public safety.
"Delaware's car owners, communities, and police footed the bill for Hyundai and Kia's neglect," said AG Jennings. "This vulnerability singlehandedly drove a statewide increase in auto thefts--and the entire episode was preventable. The technology to prevent these thefts was industry-standard for every major manufacturer but one; now, finally, that discrepancy is being corrected. I hope this settlement closes a very frustrating chapter for law enforcement."
Under the settlement, Hyundai and Kia have agreed to:
* offer free zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to owners or lessees of eligible vehicles, including vehicles that previously were only eligible for the companies' software updates;
* provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to eligible consumers whose cars are damaged by thieves; and
* equip all future vehicles sold in the United States with industry-standard, engine immobilizer anti-theft technology.
Hyundai and Kia chose not to include anti-theft engine immobilizers in millions of their vehicles sold throughout the United States, including in Delaware. Engine immobilizer technology prevents thieves from starting a vehicle's engine without the vehicle's "smart" key, which stores the vehicle's electronic security code. According to one report, in 2015 only 26% of the vehicles Kia and Hyundai sold in the United States were equipped with engine immobilizers, compared to 96% of the vehicles sold by other manufacturers.
Car thieves, aided by viral social media, exploited a quick and simple way to access the vehicles' ignition cylinders and start these cars without a key. As a consequence, Kia and Hyundai vehicle thefts surged throughout the nation. The public safety impact of these thefts was compounded by the use of many of the vehicles in connection with other crimes and traffic collisions.
Hyundai and Kia were slow to respond to the crisis, waiting until 2023 to launch a software update for most of the affected vehicles. Hyundai and Kia initially limited an offer to install zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors to only the small percentage of vehicles that were ineligible for a software update. While the companies claimed that the software update would prevent the viral theft method, the states alleged that the software update could be, and in fact was, easily bypassed by thieves.
By then, the issue had already become dire in Delaware, where thefts and attempted thefts of the vehicles increased 54 percent from 2021 to 2022, and 284 percent from 2022 to 2023. Kia and Hyundai thefts represented more than one-third of all auto thefts in 2023, driving an increase in auto thefts even as other crime broadly declined. Excluding thefts of these two makes, auto thefts were on track to plateau or decline in 2023, but the dramatic rise in Hyundai and Kia meant that auto thefts as a whole increased.
Today's settlement provides eligible consumers with free installation of zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protectors, which prevents thieves from accessing the ignition assembly. Eligible consumers will be notified by the companies that they will have one year from the date of the notice to make an appointment to have the zinc-reinforced ignition cylinder protector installed at their local Hyundai or Kia authorized dealerships. AG Jennings urges consumers to schedule the installation as soon as possible.
In addition, consumers who previously installed the software update on their vehicles (or were scheduled to do so) but nonetheless experienced a theft or attempted theft of their vehicle on or after April 29, 2025, are eligible to file a claim for restitution for certain theft and attempted-theft related expenses. For more information about eligibility and how to submit a claim for compensation, please visit the following:
* For Hyundai: Visit www.HKMultistateimmobilizersettlement.com
* For Kia: Visit https://customercare.kiausa.com/SWLD or call (800) 333-4KIA (4542)
The multistate effort was led by a team of states that included, along with Delaware, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, California, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, and Washington, with an additional 25 jurisdictions also joining the settlement.
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Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2025/12/16/ag-jennings-colleagues-announce-multistate-anti-theft-settlement-with-hyundai-and-kia/
China Declares Missouri an Economic and Reputational Menace in New Legal Action
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Dec. 17 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2025:
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China Declares Missouri an Economic and Reputational Menace in New Legal Action
The People's Republic of China claim $50.5 billion in economic and reputational losses
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Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that China has filed a lawsuit to attack the State of Missouri as she moves towards seizing Chinese assets. Earlier this year, the Missouri Attorney General's Office secured a historic $24 billion judgment against the People's
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, Dec. 17 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release on Dec. 16, 2025:
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China Declares Missouri an Economic and Reputational Menace in New Legal Action
The People's Republic of China claim $50.5 billion in economic and reputational losses
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Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that China has filed a lawsuit to attack the State of Missouri as she moves towards seizing Chinese assets. Earlier this year, the Missouri Attorney General's Office secured a historic $24 billion judgment against the People'sRepublic of China, the Chinese Communist Party, and related entities for unleashing and worsening the COVID-19 pandemic, and Attorney General Hanaway fully intends to collect.
"I find it extremely telling that the Chinese blame our great state for 'belittling the social evaluation' of The Wuhan Institute of Virology. This lawsuit is a stalling tactic and tells me that we have been on the right side of this issue all along," said Attorney General Hanaway. "We stand undeterred in our mission to collect on our $24 billion judgment that was lawfully handed down in federal court."
Last week, the Missouri Attorney General's Office received notice of suit, in the Intermediate People's Court of Wuhan, declaring Missouri to be an economic and reputational threat to the People's Republic of China. The suit is specified on behalf of The People's Government of Wuhan Municipality, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
China's suit names as defendants:
* The State of Missouri, represented by Governor Mike Kehoe
* U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt
* The Missouri Attorney General, including former Attorney General Andrew Bailey, now Co-Deputy Director of the FBI
The complaint argues the defendants' acts have had "negative effects on the soft power" of Wuhan and have "belittled the social evaluation" as well as adversely affected the "productivity and commercialization of scientific and technological achievements" of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and The Wuhan Institute of Virology.
China is demanding the defendants "issue public apologies on New York Times, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, YouTube and other American media or internet platforms, and People's Daily, Xinhuanet and other Chinese media or internet platforms..." The suit demands joint compensation totaling $356.4 billion Chinese Yuan, equivalent to $50.5 billion US Dollars, as well as any legal fees which occur and the right to claim further compensation.
The suit further specifies that Missouri's "vexatious litigation" has "defamed Plaintiffs' reputation, resulting in huge economic losses of the Plaintiffs, and deeply endangering sovereignty, security and development interests of China."
"I've been banned from Communist China, and now I am being sued and targeted by Communist China in a $50 Billion lawfare campaign, and I'll wear it like a badge of honor. China's sinister malfeasance during the COVID-19 pandemic led to over a million Americans losing their lives, economic turmoil that rocked our country for years, and an enormous amount of human suffering, and as Missouri Attorney General I filed suit to hold them accountable," said U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt. "Instead of trying to defend its indefensible behavior, Communist China responded with frivolous lawfare, attempting to absolve themselves of all wrongdoing in the early days of the pandemic. This novel lawsuit is factually baseless, legally meritless, and any fake judgment a Chinese court issues in this lawsuit we will easily beat back and keep from being enforced against the people of Missouri or me. This is their way of distracting from what the world already knows, China has blood on its hands. China lied about the origins of COVID virus, they tried to cover it up, and they upended the world by creating a global pandemic that resulted in immense human loss. The responsibility lies squarely at their feet. No amount of CCP choreographed lawfare will deter me from standing up for Missourians and the American people."
Timeline of Events
Missouri sued China in 2020 for causing and exacerbating the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically for thwarting the production, purchasing, import, and export of medical equipment, such as personal protective equipment (PPE). The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri ruled that Missouri "established this claim of damages through evidence satisfactory to the court," proving that China caused and exacerbated the COVID-19 pandemic, harming Missourians through its actions and cover-up.
In March 2025, the Missouri Attorney General's Office secured the largest judgment in Missouri history and one of the largest ever issued against a foreign sovereign.
After the required waiting period, Attorney General Hanaway directed the judgment service packets submitted to the U.S. State Department for diplomatic provided service to China in November 2025.
To date, China has refused to appear in U.S. Court.
Next Steps in Attorney General's Suit
Once diplomatic service on the judgment-service packets is confirmed, Missouri will return to federal district court to obtain certification that all requirements have been met. That certification will allow Attorney General Hanaway to begin seizing Chinese-owned assets, including real property, financial interests, and other holdings tied to the defendants.
The lawsuit's diplomatic service packet received from China can be read here (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/ago.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=55bd24fd8f5e7d3dc227d1072&id=d6b6fe9695&e=db9c683b19__;!!EErPFA7f--AJOw!FsvEZueyXCythUzTopv2BMQp15SGvin3fN-berwNOYsBb6NRDg9TMpmUJHefhY3OoglQ5J3Ni5ZwKSak1ZA7_8ts$).
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Original text here: https://ago.mo.gov/china-declares-missouri-an-economic-and-reputational-menace-in-new-legal-action/
