Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
Featured Stories
S.D. A.G. Jackley Announces Watertown Man Convicted in 2024 Officer Involved Shooting Incident
PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 31 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Jackley Announces Watertown Man Convicted in 2024 Officer Involved Shooting Incident
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a Watertown man has been convicted of three charges in connection with an officer involved shooting that occurred Dec. 5, 2024 in the parking lot of the Yankton High School.
Andrew Jondahl, 41, was convicted by a Yankton County Circuit Court Jury Friday on two felony counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer,
... Show Full Article
PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 31 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Jackley Announces Watertown Man Convicted in 2024 Officer Involved Shooting Incident
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces a Watertown man has been convicted of three charges in connection with an officer involved shooting that occurred Dec. 5, 2024 in the parking lot of the Yankton High School.
Andrew Jondahl, 41, was convicted by a Yankton County Circuit Court Jury Friday on two felony counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer,and one misdemeanor count of Possession of a Firearm on Public Elementary or Secondary School Premises. He faces a maximum prison sentence of at least 50 years combined on the felony counts when he is sentenced at a later date.
"This defendant's actions put the lives of law enforcement officers and the public at risk," said Attorney General Jackley. "The actions of the law enforcement officers that evening kept the outcome from becoming even more tragic."
The incident began when the Yankton Police Department was called to Yankton High School following a report that Jondahl was seated in a vehicle in the school parking lot with a firearm across his lap. He had been escorted from a school event, appeared to be intoxicated, was making threats of self-harm, and was believed to have had a long gun in his lap.
When Jondahl exited the vehicle, he was holding shotguns and facing the officers in a manner where he could have fired at the officers. Two officers discharged their firearms, firing a total of 14 .223-caliber rounds. Jondahl sustained non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. No other injuries were reported.
The case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), which found the Officer Involved Shooting was justified and was prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office.
* * *
Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3001
S.D. State Senate Approves A.G. Jackley Bill to Enhance Penalties for Use of Controlled Substances in Prisons
PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 30 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
* * *
State Senate Approves Attorney General Jackley Bill to Enhance Penalties for Use of Controlled Substances in Prisons
South Dakota State Senators Thursday approved Attorney General Marty Jackley's bill that enhances the penalties for ingestion, possession, possession with intent to deliver, and delivery of a controlled substance in a state correctional facility.
Senate Bill 42 was passed by the Senate on a 26-7 vote with two legislators excused.
"I investigated eight inmate
... Show Full Article
PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 30 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
* * *
State Senate Approves Attorney General Jackley Bill to Enhance Penalties for Use of Controlled Substances in Prisons
South Dakota State Senators Thursday approved Attorney General Marty Jackley's bill that enhances the penalties for ingestion, possession, possession with intent to deliver, and delivery of a controlled substance in a state correctional facility.
Senate Bill 42 was passed by the Senate on a 26-7 vote with two legislators excused.
"I investigated eight inmateoverdose deaths in South Dakota prisons during 2025, and we have charged several defendants for delivering controlled substances into our correctional facilities," said Attorney General Jackley. "We must strengthen penalties for anyone--whether private citizens, correctional staff, or inmates--who smuggle these dangerous drugs into our prisons, putting both staff and inmates at risk."
The Senate's approval means all 10 of Attorney General Jackley's legislative bills have now passed the Senate and have been moved to the House for future deliberations.
A list of the Attorney General's bills can be found here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=2982#gsc.tab=0
* * *
Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3000
Md. Attorney General's Office Releases Report on 2025 Independent Investigations of Police-Involved Fatalities
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 30 (TNSrpt) -- The Maryland Office of the Attorney General issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General's Office Releases Report on 2025 Independent Investigations of Police-Involved Fatalities
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General today released its fourth annual report, which covers investigations of police-involved fatalities in Maryland from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. A copy of the report can be found here (https://oag.maryland.gov/resources-info/Documents/pdfs/IID/2025%20IID%20Annual%20Report.pdf).
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 30 (TNSrpt) -- The Maryland Office of the Attorney General issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General's Office Releases Report on 2025 Independent Investigations of Police-Involved Fatalities
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General today released its fourth annual report, which covers investigations of police-involved fatalities in Maryland from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025. A copy of the report can be found here (https://oag.maryland.gov/resources-info/Documents/pdfs/IID/2025%20IID%20Annual%20Report.pdf).
The IID investigates all incidents involving state, county, or local police officers that result in the death of an individual or injuries that are likely to result in the death of an individual occurring in the State of Maryland. The IID was created by the Maryland General Assembly in the spring of 2021 as part of a large package of police accountability and reform bills. Since October 1, 2023, the IID has had the authority to prosecute officers if the Attorney General determines that the investigation provides sufficient grounds for prosecution.
This fourth annual report presents case information for 21 investigations, key statistical data, an anatomy of the IID review process, and an examination of the role mental health plays in IID cases. In addition, the report provides a comprehensive statistical analysis of all IID cases from October 21, 2021, through December 31, 2025.
In 2025, the IID initiated 21 investigations, reflecting a caseload consistent with prior years. During the same year, the IID released 24 investigative reports in cases in which the Attorney General declined to pursue prosecution. Of those reports, 14 involved investigations initiated in 2024 and 10 related to investigations opened in 2025. Each report detailed the IID's investigative findings and reflected a comprehensive factual review and legal analysis.
More information on the IID investigations can be found here: https://oag.maryland.gov/resources-info/Pages/police-involved-incidents.aspx
* * *
REPORT: https://oag.maryland.gov/resources-info/Documents/pdfs/IID/2025%20IID%20Annual%20Report.pdf
* * *
Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General%e2%80%99s-Office-Releases-Report-on-2025-Independent-Investigations-of-Police-Involved-Fatalities-.aspx
Former Director of Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League Charged with Embezzling $230K to Personal Accounts
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Jan. 30 -- Pennsylvania Attorney General David W. Sunday issued the following news:
* * *
Former Director of Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League Charged with Embezzling $230K to Personal Accounts
*
HARRISBURG -Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that the former director of a southwestern Pennsylvania youth football league is charged with diverting nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars in league assets to personal accounts.
William Spencer, 57, was director of the Washington/Greene Youth Football League -now known as the Western Pennsylvania Youth Football
... Show Full Article
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Jan. 30 -- Pennsylvania Attorney General David W. Sunday issued the following news:
* * *
Former Director of Western Pennsylvania Youth Football League Charged with Embezzling $230K to Personal Accounts
*
HARRISBURG -Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that the former director of a southwestern Pennsylvania youth football league is charged with diverting nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars in league assets to personal accounts.
William Spencer, 57, was director of the Washington/Greene Youth Football League -now known as the Western Pennsylvania Youth FootballLeague (WPYFL) -from 2013 until he resigned in March 2025. During that time, Spencer diverted league funds to his accounts to fund credit cards, bolster a retirement account, and make various purchases at Amazon, restaurants, and other retailers.
The Office of Attorney General's Financial Crimes Section charged Spencer this week with felony and misdemeanor counts of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, and two misdemeanor counts of misapplication of entrusted property. He is not in custody.
"Our investigators in this case untangled a five-year web of theft that impaired this youth sports league while lining the pockets of the defendant," Attorney General Sunday said. "These are very serious charges regarding criminal conduct that betrayed financial contributors to the league's prosperity, as well as the many coaches and young athletes involved in the league."
In total, Spencer fraudulently wrote 187 checks payable to himself from WPYFL's accounts, totaling about $230,000, from January 4, 2020, through February 18, 2025.
Additionally, Spencer made direct payments totaling over $3,000 from WPYFL's accounts to accounts in his and/or his wife's name, without the knowledge or consent of WPYFL.
The case will be prosecuted by the Senior Deputy Attorney General Rachel Wheeler of the Office of Attorney General's Financial Crimes Section. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
***
Original text here: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/former-director-of-western-pennsylvania-youth-football-league-charged-with-embezzling-230k-to-personal-accounts/
Attorney General Nessel Joins Multistate Coalition Condemning DOJ Threats Against Minnesota
LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Nessel Joins Multistate Coalition Condemning DOJ Threats Against Minnesota
*
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 21 other attorneys general in denouncing the Department of Justice's (DOJ) latest attempt to coerce the State of Minnesota. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (PDF), the coalition condemned the Trump administration's effort to exploit the situation in Minnesota
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Nessel Joins Multistate Coalition Condemning DOJ Threats Against Minnesota
*
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined a coalition of 21 other attorneys general in denouncing the Department of Justice's (DOJ) latest attempt to coerce the State of Minnesota. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (PDF), the coalition condemned the Trump administration's effort to exploit the situation in Minnesotato pressure state leaders into turning over sensitive resident data and dismantling longstanding local public policies. The attorneys general warn that these threats likely conflict with ongoing litigation and court-ordered protections.
"The Trump administration has already been told by the courts that it cannot run an unlawful mass-surveillance operation on the American people," said Attorney General Nessel. "Now, instead of abiding by the rule of law, it is attempting to strong-arm Minnesota into handing over sensitive and personal data without a valid purpose, any barriers or protections. If the administration is allowed to ignore court orders here, there is nothing to stop them from targeting the next state they see as an adversary. I will continue to call this out, demand accountability from this administration, and fight their attempts to illegally collect and exploit the private information of the people they serve."
Attorney General Nessel and the coalition sent the letter in response to Attorney General Bondi's January 24 letter to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, which accused the state of enabling widespread fraud and demanded a series of actions in exchange for the withdrawal of federal agents from Minnesota. The demands included requests that Minnesota turn over sensitive Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data, dismantle local public policies, and grant the federal government access to Minnesota voter information.
The attorneys general warn that Attorney General Bondi's letter threatens the constitutional balance of power between the states and the federal government. They assert that the demands intrude on state sovereignty and are intended to coerce the state of Minnesota. With so many of DOJ's actions already blocked by courts across the country, the attorneys general argue that the administration is attempting to force an outcome that it could not achieve through the courts.
Attorney General Nessel and the coalition make clear that their states will continue to stand firm against unlawful federal interference and will defend both state sovereignty and the rights of their residents. The coalition urges the administration to end its dangerous and unlawful campaign against Minnesota immediately and stand down its alarming demands.
Joining Attorney General Nessel in sending this letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
***
Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/01/30/attorney-general-nessel-joins-multistate-coalition-condemning-doj-threats-against-minnesota
Attorney General Bonta Opposes Rules That Would Weaken State Consumer Financial Protection Laws
SACRAMENTO, California, Jan. 30 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Bonta Opposes Rules That Would Weaken State Consumer Financial Protection Laws
*
OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a bipartisan coalition of 23 attorneys general and a group of state-level bank regulators, including the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, in opposing a pair of rules proposed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) that would preempt state laws that require national banks to pay minimum
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Jan. 30 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Bonta Opposes Rules That Would Weaken State Consumer Financial Protection Laws
*
OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a bipartisan coalition of 23 attorneys general and a group of state-level bank regulators, including the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, in opposing a pair of rules proposed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) that would preempt state laws that require national banks to pay minimuminterest on mortgage-escrow accounts. In states across the country, including California, national banks are required to pay minimum interest on mortgage-escrow accounts to comply with consumer protection laws. These laws are designed to prevent lenders from profiting from interest-free deposits at the borrower's expense, are consistent with limitations enacted by Congress, and have been found lawful by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"States play a crucial role in consumer financial protection. California has laws protecting consumers from abusive lending practices by Big Banks, including when it comes to holding money in a mortgage escrow account. Now, the federal government is attempting to preempt these important laws and leave consumers in the dust," said Attorney General Bonta. "Alongside a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general, I'm standing up for states' rights to enforce state laws that protect consumers from financial exploitation."
California law requires financial institutions, including banks, to pay at least 2% annual interest on funds deposited in mortgage escrow accounts. Funds in an escrow account can be used by lenders to ensure timely payment of property taxes and insurance. These state minimum escrow interest laws are a simple and important consumer protection. Before the escrow interest laws were enacted, some lenders would collect significantly more in escrow than was needed to timely pay taxes and insurance, and would not pay any interest to the borrower, giving the lender essentially an interest-free loan at the borrower's expense. The minimum escrow interest laws help ensure that borrowers are treated fairly and reduce the incentive for lenders to collect excessive funds in escrow. At least 13 other states have similar laws in place to protect consumers.
In the letter, the attorneys general argue that the OCC's proposed rules will deprive states of their legitimate, constitutional authority to protect their consumers, including in their interactions with national banks. The attorneys general urge OCC to abandon the proposals because:
* Congress has never interfered with states' abilities to mandate minimum interest payments on mortgage-escrow accounts, going back to 1864 when the National Bank Act was passed.
* In the Dodd-Frank Act, Congress has expressly limited the scope of bank preemption to state laws that significantly interfere with bank operations.
* State minimum interest mandates do not significantly interfere with national bank operations and therefore are not preempted.
* They are contrary to law and therefore, unlawful.
In sending the letter, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New York, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai'i, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, the District of Columbia, as well as a group of state-level bank regulators including the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
Attorney General Bonta is committed to protecting consumers from unfair and abusive practices in the financial system. Last month, Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit challenging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) Acting Director's unlawful decision not to fund the agency's operations, preventing it from performing legally mandated functions. Shortly after taking office, the Trump Administration launched a campaign of destruction and systemic shuttering of the CFPB, threatening catastrophic harm to hardworking families and consumer financial markets nationwide.
After submitting an amicus brief in the case, in 2024 Attorney General Bonta celebrated the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Cantero v. Bank of America after it found that a lower court failed to apply the proper standard for evaluating whether a New York state law that requires mortgage lenders to pay a 2% minimum interest rate on funds held in mortgage escrow accounts is preempted by the National Bank Act. The decision clearly allowed states to enforce state consumer financial protection laws against both state and national banks so long as the state law does not prevent or significantly interfere with the exercise of power by national banks.
***
Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-opposes-rules-would-weaken-state-consumer-financial
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS GUILTY VERDICT IN MURDER OF 2-YEAR-OLD DANVILLE TODDLER
CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 30 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
* * *
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS GUILTY VERDICT IN MURDER OF 2-YEAR-OLD DANVILLE TODDLER
*
Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office obtained a guilty verdict in its prosecution of a Vermilion County man on trial for the 2022 death of a 2-year-old toddler.
A Vermilion County Circuit Court jury found Dantrail Johnson, 32, of Danville, Illinois, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Cali Sago, 2, also from Danville. Johnson's next court date is scheduled
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Jan. 30 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
* * *
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OBTAINS GUILTY VERDICT IN MURDER OF 2-YEAR-OLD DANVILLE TODDLER
*
Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced his office obtained a guilty verdict in its prosecution of a Vermilion County man on trial for the 2022 death of a 2-year-old toddler.
A Vermilion County Circuit Court jury found Dantrail Johnson, 32, of Danville, Illinois, guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Cali Sago, 2, also from Danville. Johnson's next court date is scheduledfor March 23.
"While nothing will change the horrific events that ultimately took the life of an innocent toddler, I hope today's verdict brings some healing to Cali Sago's family," Raoul said. "I would like to thank the Vermilion County State's Attorney's Office for their continued partnership in protecting residents and holding those who commit violent crimes accountable."
According to Raoul, Johnson was watching Cali Sago on the evening of Aug. 11, 2022 while Cali's mother was at work. At approximately 8:38 p.m. that evening, officers from the Danville Police Department and paramedics were dispatched to Cali's home in the 1200 block of Garden Drive in Danville after receiving a 911 call from Johnson stating that Cali was unresponsive. Cali was immediately taken to a local hospital and was ultimately airlifted to a pediatric unit in Peoria, Illinois, where she passed away on Sept. 11, 2022. The Peoria County Coroner's Office conducted a postmortem examination of Cali and noted signs of violent abuse, including evidence of brain hemorrhaging, internal organ damage and rib fractures. The coroner's report listed Cali's cause of death as blunt force trauma due to physical abuse.
The Attorney General's office is prosecuting the case with Vermilion County State's Attorney Jacqueline M. Lacy's office.
"Today's verdict delivers justice for a child whose life was taken too soon, by unspeakable acts of violence," Vermilion County State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said. "We are grateful to the jurors and to the witnesses who came forward - especially the young sibling whose courage and strength in testifying were extraordinary - and to the dedicated members of the Danville Police Department whose tireless work made this verdict possible."
Bureau Chief Michael Falagario and Supervising Attorney Daniel Weiler are prosecuting the case for Raoul's Criminal Prosecutions and Trials Assistance Bureau, along with Assistant State's Attorney Thomas O'Connor from the Vermilion County State's Attorney's Office.
***
Original text here: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-obtains-guilty-verdict-in-murder-of-2-year-old-danville-toddler
