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New A.G. Opinion From Drummond: Farmers Don't Need Highway Escort to Haul Equipment

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Aug. 25 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:

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New A.G. opinion from Drummond: Farmers don't need highway escort to haul equipment

Attorney General Gentner Drummond today issued an opinion protecting farmers from being cited for not having a highway escort when they haul equipment between fields. The opinion, A.G. 2026-11, clarifies state law concerning oversized vehicles.

Oklahoma law generally requires a vehicle wider than 12 feet to be accompanied by an escort vehicle while traveling on state highways. ... Show Full Article OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Aug. 25 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026: * * * New A.G. opinion from Drummond: Farmers don't need highway escort to haul equipment Attorney General Gentner Drummond today issued an opinion protecting farmers from being cited for not having a highway escort when they haul equipment between fields. The opinion, A.G. 2026-11, clarifies state law concerning oversized vehicles. Oklahoma law generally requires a vehicle wider than 12 feet to be accompanied by an escort vehicle while traveling on state highways.The rule is meant to keep large loads like construction equipment, oversized machinery and manufactured homes safely visible to other drivers.

Drummond's opinion concludes that requirement does not apply to farm equipment. Oklahoma law defines equipment used exclusively for farming, such as swathers and balers, as an "implement of husbandry" rather than a "vehicle," and specifically excludes implements of husbandry and the trailers used to haul them from the state's definition of "vehicle." Because the escort law only applies to vehicles, it does not apply to farm equipment or the trailers hauling it.

The opinion was requested by state Rep. Dick Lowe after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper cited a driver for hauling a swather on a trailer without an escort.

"Oklahoma farm families move equipment between fields every day of the growing season, and our laws should reflect that reality," Drummond said. "This opinion provides clarity for both farmers and law enforcement and makes clear that hauling a piece of farm equipment down a country road is exactly the kind of common-sense activity our laws were never meant to restrict."

Farmers hauling equipment must still use proper lighting and take reasonable steps to reduce the equipment's width for the road, as required under separate state safety laws, and drivers remain responsible for operating with regard for the safety of others on the road.

Read the Opinion (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/opinions/ag-opinions/2026/A.G.%20Opinion%202026-11%20OK%20AG%2011.pdf)

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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/august/new-ag-opinion-from-drummond-farmers-don-t-need-highway-escort-to-haul-equipment.html

N.J. Securities Bureau Sues Middlesex County Man for Alleged $3 Million Fraud, Misuse of Investor Funds

TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 25 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:

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N.J. Securities Bureau Sues Middlesex County Man for Alleged $3 Million Fraud, Misuse of Investor Funds

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced today that the New Jersey Bureau of Securities (Bureau) within the Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) filed a civil enforcement action against a Middlesex County, New Jersey, resident and his companies for allegedly defrauding investors out of more than $3.1 million and diverting investor funds for his personal ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 25 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026: * * * N.J. Securities Bureau Sues Middlesex County Man for Alleged $3 Million Fraud, Misuse of Investor Funds Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced today that the New Jersey Bureau of Securities (Bureau) within the Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) filed a civil enforcement action against a Middlesex County, New Jersey, resident and his companies for allegedly defrauding investors out of more than $3.1 million and diverting investor funds for his personalbenefit.

According to a Complaint filed in Superior Court in Somerset County, Jesse E. Russell, through his entities, IncCommunications Services, Inc. (ICS) and IncNetworks, Inc. (INI), fraudulently offered and sold unregistered securities to at least 34 investors, including at least 12 New Jersey residents.

"Frauds like these take much-needed money out of hard-working people's wallets," said Attorney General Davenport. "Our lawsuit alleges that the defendant lied to his victims to get them to hand over their money, which he then used as his personal slush fund. We will never tolerate that kind of behavior."

Russell allegedly told investors that he would use their money to finance various technology and infrastructure projects with government entities, or to repatriate over $100 million in funds that he and his companies purportedly held in Ghana. Yet as the Complaint alleges, there were no such projects, and no such money to be repatriated from Ghana. Instead, Russell misused investors' funds for his own benefit, diverting much of this money to bank accounts in China belonging to unrelated entities.

"As alleged in our complaint, Jesse Russell misled investors with promises of legitimate investment opportunities while instead using their money for personal benefit," said Christopher Peterson, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. "We will continue to pursue those who engage in deceptive practices and work to protect the investing public."

"Schemes that exploit investor confidence undermine the integrity of our financial markets and violate New Jersey's securities laws," said Acting Bureau Chief Keith A. Alt. "With scams like this on the rise, we urge New Jersey investors to check before they invest to avoid falling victim to financial predators."

The seven-count lawsuit, filed on August 21, 2026, seeks civil monetary penalties, restitution for victims, and disgorgement of all profits and funds obtained by Russell, ICS, INI, and others. The suit also seeks to bar Russell, ICS, INI, and all associated individuals and entities from participating in the securities industry from New Jersey and to permanently enjoin Russell from controlling any "issuer," as that term is defined in the Uniform Securities Law.

The Bureau is charged with protecting investors from investment fraud and regulating the securities industry in New Jersey.

The Bureau's investigation was handled by Investigator Raymond Marelic, under the supervision of Supervising Investigator Judy Watkins. Deputy Attorney General Hovhannes Onno Chekemian of the Securities Fraud Prosecution Section in the Division of Law's Affirmative Civil Enforcement Practice Group is representing the Bureau in this matter, under the supervision of Deputy Attorney General Evan A. Showell, Assistant Section Chief of the Securities Fraud Prosecution Section, and Assistant Attorney General Brian F. McDonough.

It is critical that investors "Check Before You Invest." Investors can obtain information, including the registration status and disciplinary history, of any financial professional doing business to or from New Jersey, by contacting the Bureau toll-free within New Jersey at 1-866-I-Invest (1-866-446-8378) or from outside New Jersey at (973) 504-3600, or by visiting the Bureau's website at www.NJSecurities.gov. Investors can also contact the Bureau for assistance, or to raise issues or complaints about New Jersey-based financial professionals or investments.

View Complaint (http://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/2026-0821_IncCom-Filed-Complaint.pdf)

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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/nj-securities-bureau-sues-middlesex-county-man-for-alleged-3-million-fraud-misuse-of-investor-funds/

N.J. A.G. Davenport Selects Philip Bangle to Lead SAFE

TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 25 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:

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Attorney General Davenport Selects Philip Bangle to Lead SAFE

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced the selection of Philip Bangle to be the next director of the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office, New Jersey's first-in-the-nation office with the specific mandate of bringing civil enforcement actions against firearm companies to hold them accountable for violations of the law that harm the health and safety of residents.

"Phil ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, Aug. 25 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026: * * * Attorney General Davenport Selects Philip Bangle to Lead SAFE Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced the selection of Philip Bangle to be the next director of the Statewide Affirmative Firearms Enforcement (SAFE) Office, New Jersey's first-in-the-nation office with the specific mandate of bringing civil enforcement actions against firearm companies to hold them accountable for violations of the law that harm the health and safety of residents. "PhilBangle is an extremely talented public-interest advocate with a strong track record of holding corporate defendants accountable when they harm the community," said Attorney General Davenport. "We are also deeply grateful to Jeremy Ershow for his service as Acting Director, and for all he has done to build the SAFE office since its inception in 2022."

Bangle was most recently the Senior Director of Affirmative Litigation at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, where he managed impact-driven litigation against firearms manufacturers and dealers on behalf of victims of mass shootings, municipalities, and states. Most recently, in August 2025, he secured the largest jury verdict in a contested case against a gun company in history, when a jury awarded the City of Baltimore $62 million from Hanover Armory, a firearms retailer that had flooded the city with ghost guns.

"I have admired SAFE's work since its creation, and I am grateful and honored to be chosen by Attorney General Davenport for this position," said Bangle. "I look forward to working with the SAFE team and the rest of the Department to continue New Jersey's vital efforts to reduce gun violence in the State."

Prior to his time at Brady, Bangle spent two decades working in state attorney general offices. He served first as a Deputy Attorney General in the Delaware Department of Justice, where he fought vice crime with statewide civil enforcement lawsuits such as civil RICO and public nuisance actions. Later, he served as an Assistant Attorney General in the Medicaid Fraud & Integrity Division of the Tennessee Office of the Attorney General, where he investigated and litigated healthcare fraud, primarily False Claims Act lawsuits. Bangle received his B.A., cum laude, from Hampden-Sydney College; an M.A. from Fordham University; and his J.D., cum laude, from Tulane Law School.

SAFE is authorized by the Attorney General to bring lawsuits against gun industry members that violate N.J.S.A. 2C:58-35 by contributing to a public nuisance in New Jersey through unlawful or unreasonable conduct, or by failing maintain reasonable controls relating to the sale, manufacturing, distribution, importing, or marketing of gun-related products. Since its establishment in 2022, SAFE has filed complaints against corporations like Sig Sauer and Glock, as well as ghost-gun sellers and firearms retailers that have violated New Jersey law.

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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-selects-philip-bangle-to-lead-safe/

Md. A.G. Brown Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Colorado Civil Rights Protections for Universal Preschool

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Aug. 25 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:

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Attorney General Brown Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Colorado Civil Rights Protections for Universal Preschool

Coalition Files Amicus Brief Arguing States Can Require Private Providers Receiving Public Funding to Comply with Nondiscrimination Laws

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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) defending Colorado's requirement that preschool providers ... Show Full Article BALTIMORE, Maryland, Aug. 25 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026: * * * Attorney General Brown Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Colorado Civil Rights Protections for Universal Preschool Coalition Files Amicus Brief Arguing States Can Require Private Providers Receiving Public Funding to Comply with Nondiscrimination Laws - Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) defending Colorado's requirement that preschool providersparticipating in the state's Universal Preschool program comply with state antidiscrimination laws, including protections for LGBTQ+ families.

In 2023, Colorado launched its Universal Preschool program, which provides public funding to both private and public preschool providers that choose to participate. As a condition of receiving that funding, participating providers must agree to provide eligible families an equal opportunity to enroll their children, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, housing, income level, or disability.

In St. Mary Catholic Parish vs. Roy, two Catholic preschools and the Archdiocese of Denver sued to block Colorado from enforcing its equal enrollment requirement, arguing that the requirement unfairly targets religious institutions and conflicts with their religious teachings. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit rejected those claims, holding that Colorado's enrollment requirement applies to all schools equally. The Catholic preschools appealed to SCOTUS, which agreed to hear oral arguments on the case on November 3, 2026.

"Every child deserves a fair shot at a strong start, and discrimination shouldn't shut families out of public programs their taxes help fund," said Attorney General Brown. "Maryland joined this brief to defend the basic principle that public programs must serve every resident equally."

In the brief, the coalition argues that states have a strong interest in ensuring that organizations receiving public funding to provide public services comply with the same civil rights protections that apply to state-run programs. States frequently rely on private organizations to deliver publicly funded services, including education, childcare assistance, disaster relief, homeless services, job training, and more. This "mixed delivery" model allows states to draw on the expertise and reach of private and nonprofit organizations while giving residents greater choice in how they access public services. Despite the involvement of private organizations, the services that states deliver through the mixed delivery model are still public services and are subject to the same antidiscrimination standards as their own in-house programs.

States have a compelling interest in protecting their residents from discrimination, including - especially - where public funds are involved. The coalition argues that states should not be required to shed their commitment to equal treatment when funding public services, particularly in programs like Colorado's Universal Preschool program, where schools knowingly choose to participate.

The coalition argues that allowing institutions to receive public funding without being required to comply with state antidiscrimination laws would undermine the mixed delivery model and force states to navigate a burdensome provider-by-provider patchwork of rules and exceptions. In some cases, states could be pushed to bring services entirely in-house, reducing choice and flexibility for residents.

Additionally, the coalition argues that allowing private organizations to bypass state laws when receiving public funding would dramatically reshape previous interpretations of the First Amendment. Courts have established that state agencies cannot target entities because of their religious affiliations, but as the coalition argues and as the Tenth Circuit ruled, Colorado's equal opportunity requirement does not fit that description because it applies equally to all schools.

The case also has implications beyond preschool. States routinely partner with private and religious organizations to deliver publicly funded services. A ruling that permits participating providers to disregard state civil rights laws could limit states' ability to establish consistent standards for public programs across a wide range of services.

The coalition asks the Court to uphold the Tenth Circuit's ruling allowing Colorado to require preschools to comply with its equal enrollment requirement.

Joining Attorney General Brown in filing this amicus brief are the attorneys general of California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Urges-Supreme-Court-to-Uphold-Colorado-Civil-Rights-Protections-for-Universal-Preschool.aspx

S.D. A.G. Jackley Part of Coalition Voicing Concerns Over Climate Activism in Financial Reporting

PIERRE, South Dakota, Aug. 25 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:

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Attorney General Jackley Part of Coalition Voicing Concerns over Climate Activism in Financial Reporting

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley joins a coalition of 16 Attorneys General in raising concerns over climate-related financial activism in a letter sent to the "Big 4" accounting firms: Deloitte; Ernst & Young; KPMG; and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

"These firms stand to profit from the climate related reporting mandates they are promoting, but the added ... Show Full Article

Ariz. A.G. Mayes Stops Illegal Scheme to Eliminate Competition Between Zillow and Redfin

PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 25 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:

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Attorney General Mayes Stops Illegal Scheme to Eliminate Competition Between Zillow and Redfin

Companies Must Continue to Compete, Giving Renters and Property Owners More Choices

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Attorney General Kris Mayes and a coalition of four other attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today put an end to an illegal agreement between Zillow Group, Inc. (Zillow) and Redfin Corporation (Redfin) that prevented them from competing. Redfin and Zillow operate two of ... Show Full Article PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 25 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026: * * * Attorney General Mayes Stops Illegal Scheme to Eliminate Competition Between Zillow and Redfin Companies Must Continue to Compete, Giving Renters and Property Owners More Choices - Attorney General Kris Mayes and a coalition of four other attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) today put an end to an illegal agreement between Zillow Group, Inc. (Zillow) and Redfin Corporation (Redfin) that prevented them from competing. Redfin and Zillow operate two ofthe top three largest websites for renters to search for apartments and for building managers to list their available units. In February 2025, Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to shut down its multifamily rental advertising business and transfer its clients to Zillow. In exchange, Redfin agreed to use its websites to exclusively display copies of Zillow's apartment rental listings and stay out of the multifamily rental advertising market for up to nine years.

In October 2025, Attorney General Mayes and the coalition sued Zillow and Redfin for violating federal antitrust laws with this agreement, which harmed both building managers and renters with higher prices, fewer listings, and lower quality services. Under a settlement with the coalition of attorneys general and FTC, Redfin and Zillow must resume competing as they did before the illegal agreement. Redfin will rebuild its apartment advertising business and sell its own advertising products. In addition, Zillow and Redfin must eliminate the anticompetitive provisions of their agreement, including terms that prevent Redfin from competing independently against Zillow with its own apartment rental listings and advertisements.

"Arizona renters deserve a competitive market, not a backroom deal that lets two of the biggest players in online apartment listings agree to stop competing with each other," said Attorney General Kris Mayes. "Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to walk away from the marketplace in a scheme to rig the market at the expense of Arizona families searching for a place to live and the property owners trying to reach them. This settlement forces both companies back into real competition."

Zillow and Redfin agreed to stop competing when they implemented an unlawful scheme through two agreements signed on February 6, 2025, a Partnership Agreement and a Content License Agreement. Under the Partnership Agreement, Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to stop competing in the market for advertising apartments in buildings with 25 units or more and transfer its multifamily advertising business to Zillow. Under the Content License Agreement, Redfin agreed to stay out of the multifamily advertising market for up to nine years and instead use its network to show only apartment rental listings that are also displayed on Zillow's sites.

Attorney General Mayes and the coalition argued that these agreements would stifle innovation and improvements to Zillow and Redfin's services, and result in higher prices, lower-quality rental advertising, and fewer choices for both renters seeking a home and management companies advertising their properties.

Under the settlement with the coalition of attorneys general and FTC, Zillow and Redfin must restore the competition that existed prior to their unlawful agreement. Redfin will invest in rebuilding its apartment advertising business and hire staff to acquire and maintain customers. Redfin will once again be able to list its own apartment units and will no longer have to exclusively show Zillow's listings. Zillow and Redfin are also barred from entering into future anticompetitive agreements. As a result, Redfin and Zillow will again compete for both advertisers and renters, and will be incentivized to attract users by innovating and improving their services. The companies must also pay the coalition $2 million.

Joining Attorney General Mayes in securing this settlement are FTC and the attorneys general of Connecticut, New York, Washington, and Virginia.

Attachments

[400] Joint Motion for Entry of Stipulated Final Order for Equitable Relief (https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/%5B400%5D%20Joint%20Motion%20for%20Entry%20of%20Stipulated%20Final%20Order%20for%20Equitable%20Relief.pdf)

[400-1] Stipulated Final Order for Equitable Relief (https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/2026-08/%5B400-1%5D%20Stipulated%20Final%20Order%20for%20Equitable%20Relief.pdf)

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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-stops-illegal-scheme-eliminate-competition-between-zillow-and

Okla. A.G. Drummond: Multi-County Grand Jury Indicts Man Accused of Selling Fatal Dose of Fentanyl

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Aug. 25 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Aug. 24, 2026:

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Multi-County Grand Jury indicts man accused of selling fatal dose of fentanyl

The Multi-County Grand Jury has indicted a man accused of distributing a deadly dose of fentanyl that killed a 27-year-old man.

Scott Tracy Weaver, 48, faces felony charges of Murder in the First Degree, or in the alternative Murder in the Second Degree, along with Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, in connection with the death of Drake Minton.

According to the indictment, ... Show Full Article

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