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Attorney General Tong Statement Regarding Kosta Diamantis Pension
HARTFORD, Connecticut, Sept. 17 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Tong Statement Regarding Kosta Diamantis Pension
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Press Releases
(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong released the following statement regarding pension revocation for former state official Kosta Diamantis who has reportedly fled the country in advance of a sentencing hearing scheduled to take place in federal court today. Diamantis was found guilty at trial on October 22, 2025 of multiple counts of extortion, bribery, conspiracy and false statements
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HARTFORD, Connecticut, Sept. 17 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Tong Statement Regarding Kosta Diamantis Pension
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Press Releases
(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong released the following statement regarding pension revocation for former state official Kosta Diamantis who has reportedly fled the country in advance of a sentencing hearing scheduled to take place in federal court today. Diamantis was found guilty at trial on October 22, 2025 of multiple counts of extortion, bribery, conspiracy and false statementsrelated to abuse of his state position overseeing school construction contracts.
"Kosta Diamantis abused the public trust and will be held accountable. His disappearance this morning is a shameful insult to every person in Connecticut and will not deter our efforts to fully protect the state's interest and taxpayer dollars. State law requires that my office take action to revoke or reduce the pension of state or municipal officials convicted of corruption-related charges. We are reviewing all legal options to fully enforce the law," said Attorney General Tong.
Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
Facebook: CT Attorney General
#Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
#Consumer Inquiries:
860-808-5318
attorney.general@ct.gov
***
Original text here: https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2026-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-statement-regarding-kosta-diamantis-pension
Attorney General Tong Announces $694 Million Multistate Settlement with Subprime Auto Lender Credit Acceptance Corporation
HARTFORD, Connecticut, Sept. 17 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Tong Announces $694 Million Multistate Settlement with Subprime Auto Lender Credit Acceptance Corporation
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Press Releases
(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong today joined 40 other state attorneys general announcing a settlement with Credit Acceptance Corporation (CAC) to direct $694 million in cash and debt relief to consumers in connection with their car loans. Connecticut consumers will be eligible for up to $2 million in financial relief, in
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HARTFORD, Connecticut, Sept. 17 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Tong Announces $694 Million Multistate Settlement with Subprime Auto Lender Credit Acceptance Corporation
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Press Releases
(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong today joined 40 other state attorneys general announcing a settlement with Credit Acceptance Corporation (CAC) to direct $694 million in cash and debt relief to consumers in connection with their car loans. Connecticut consumers will be eligible for up to $2 million in financial relief, inaddition to a $177,650 payment to the state.
CAC is one of the nation's largest auto finance companies, providing car loans to consumers with limited or impaired credit histories. The settlement also includes injunctive terms that, among other things, require CAC to provide consumers disclosures about loan risks, give consumers protections from bad outcomes from certain risky CAC loans, and help guard consumers from dealers "packing" CAC auto-loan contracts with unwanted Vehicle Service Contracts (VSC) and Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) products.
"CAC profited off risky loans destined to fail, padded with worthless services and so-called protections. Their irresponsible business practices and ruthless repossession and collection practices destroyed consumer finances. This settlement directs hundreds of millions of dollars in debt relief and restitution directly to the consumers most harmed, and sends a message that states, acting together, will not tolerate abusive lenders," said Attorney General Tong.
The multistate investigation resolves allegations that CAC originated loans that the company knew or should have known consumers could not afford. CAC gives a proprietary "score" to each of its loans representing its prediction of the percentage amount CAC will collect on the loan from all sources. The attorneys general allege that consumers could not reasonably afford many of CAC's low "score" loans, including those where CAC predicted the consumer would not pay back even the loan's principal loan amount. Unsurprisingly, many of those low "score" loans resulted in consumers defaulting on their loans and losing their cars when they were repossessed and sold at auction.
The settlement, which will be effective as of November 2, 2026, also resolves allegations that CAC encouraged and failed to reasonably prevent unlawful VSC and GAP product "packing" by auto dealers in CAC's network. The attorneys general allege that CAC's dealer compensation methodology and lack of reasonable dealer oversight resulted in dealers aggressively selling VSCs and GAP products in connection with CAC loans when consumers were either unaware they were purchasing the products or were led to believe the products had to be purchased for the consumer to get financing.
The settlement provides $60 million in cash restitution that will be distributed to consumers to whom CAC gave particularly risky loans. For certain risky CAC loans made between November 1, 2015, and November 30, 2025, CAC is also required to provide, on or before November 2, 2026, $388,000,000 in debt relief to consumers whose cars have been repossessed, and $246,000,000 in debt relief to consumers whose cars have not been repossessed, allowing those consumers to keep their cars. CAC must also pay an additional $15 million to the attorneys general.
The settlement's injunctive terms include the following long- and short-term requirements designed to meaningfully reform the company's lending practices:
* For consumers with certain risky CAC loans that CAC made starting in December 2025, CAC will provide "off ramps" for loans that fail quickly. Qualifying consumers will get 95% debt relief, and CAC is prohibited from filing collections lawsuits against them. CAC must provide these off ramps for a five-year period starting on November 2, 2026.
* The settlement mandates a process to prevent unlawful VSC and GAP product packing, including enhanced pre-purchase disclosures, a post-purchase process alerting consumers about the purchase(s) and allowing easier product cancelation, and dealer monitoring.
* CAC must provide consumers with pre-loan disclosures about the risks of default and the value of the vehicle.
* For seven years, CAC must institute a price cap for vehicle prices at 109% of retail book value for certain consumers.
* CAC must implement processes to prevent dealers from raising car prices due to credit worthiness or above advertised prices.
The Executive Committee leading the settlement comprises the attorneys general of Maryland, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Minnesota, and New Jersey. Joining the settlement are the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawai`i, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. New York is concurrently settling litigation it brought against CAC in the Southern District of New York.
Customers eligible for debt relief will be notified by CAC. Consumers eligible for restitution will be notified by a claims administrator.
Assistant Attorney General Brendan T. Flynn and Deputy Associate Attorney General Michael Werthiemer, Chief of the Consumer Protection Section assisted the Attorney General in this matter.
Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
Facebook: CT Attorney General
#Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
#Consumer Inquiries:
860-808-5318
attorney.general@ct.gov
***
Original text here: https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2026-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-announces-settlement-with-credit-acceptance-corporation
Attorney General Dan Rayfield Permanently Blocks Trump Administration's SNAP Penalties
SALEM, Oregon, Sept. 17 -- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Dan Rayfield Permanently Blocks Trump Administration's SNAP Penalties
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#Oregon-led lawsuit also secures ruling that lawful permanent residents remain eligible for food assistance
Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced today that a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon has permanently blocked the Trump administration from penalizing states, including Oregon, with steep fines tied to their administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
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SALEM, Oregon, Sept. 17 -- Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Dan Rayfield Permanently Blocks Trump Administration's SNAP Penalties
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#Oregon-led lawsuit also secures ruling that lawful permanent residents remain eligible for food assistance
Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced today that a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon has permanently blocked the Trump administration from penalizing states, including Oregon, with steep fines tied to their administration of the Supplemental Nutrition AssistanceProgram (SNAP).
Oregon and New York co-led the 22-state coalition that brought the case. The ruling makes permanent a preliminary injunction the court issued in December 2025 and goes further: the judge sided with Oregon and the coalition on every claim, striking down both the administration's fine-triggering deadline and its guidance restricting food assistance for lawful permanent residents.
"Since the beginning of Trump's second term, we've all watched his administration play games with emergency food assistance," said Attorney General Rayfield. "This is about parents' ability to feed their kids, and partisan politics shouldn't have any part in it. The court's ruling means that Oregon will continue to effectively manage the SNAP program, and our vulnerable neighbors will get the food they need."
In November 2025, Attorney General Rayfield led a coalition of 21 other attorneys general and the District of Columbia in suing the Trump administration after it moved to cut off SNAP benefits for tens of thousands of lawful permanent residents and set a retroactive deadline that put states at risk of paying hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties.
The administration later reversed its position on eligibility for lawful permanent residents but continued to argue that states owed fines for missing a "grace period" that, in practice, had already expired before the administration finished issuing guidance on the changes.
The court found that the administration's deadline was unlawful and arbitrary, and that the administration's guidance improperly excluded certain lawful permanent residents, including former refugees and people granted asylum, from food assistance they are legally entitled to receive. In addition, the court found that the administration's deadline was unlawful as it related to other changes to SNAP eligibility calculations from the 2025 Republican budget bill.
Today's decision makes it clear that:
* States cannot be penalized under the unlawful deadline the administration tried to impose.
* The standard five-year waiting period for SNAP does not apply to lawful permanent residents who were previously refugees, asylees, or other humanitarian immigrants.
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Original text here: https://www.doj.state.or.us/media-home/news-media-releases/ag-rayfield-permanently-blocks-trump-administration-snap-penalties/
Attorney General Bonta Shuts Down Major Fresno Meth Lab Operation: Over 2,500 Pounds of Meth Seized and 15 Arrested
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 17 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Shuts Down Major Fresno Meth Lab Operation: Over 2,500 Pounds of Meth Seized and 15 Arrested
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FRESNO -California Attorney General Bonta today announced the arrest of 15 suspects and the seizure of over 2,500 pounds of methamphetamine, over 500 gallons of methamphetamine in solution, and 21 guns during a major methamphetamine lab bust in Fresno County. On September 17, 2026, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) together with the Federal Bureau of Investigation
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, Sept. 17 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Shuts Down Major Fresno Meth Lab Operation: Over 2,500 Pounds of Meth Seized and 15 Arrested
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FRESNO -California Attorney General Bonta today announced the arrest of 15 suspects and the seizure of over 2,500 pounds of methamphetamine, over 500 gallons of methamphetamine in solution, and 21 guns during a major methamphetamine lab bust in Fresno County. On September 17, 2026, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) together with the Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) executed an early morning raid of multiple locations associated with a methamphetamine conversion lab operation and suspected drug trafficking organization. This enforcement operation was a coordinated effort between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, all of whom are committed to working together to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking in all its forms.
"This is an example of the great work that can be done when law enforcement agencies from all levels of government come together for one unified mission," said Attorney General Bonta. "Stopping the production of illegal drugs is about more than enforcing the law. It's about protecting our families and communities from the life-threatening danger these drugs pose. Public safety is priority number one at the California Department of Justice, and we will continue to pursue it in our communities and in the courtroom. Thank you to all the agencies and individuals who worked together to make California a safer place."
"This investigation struck at the heart of high-volume methamphetamine conversion operations that were pumping poison into communities across the Central Valley," said Eric Grant, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California. "Through the relentless effort of our federal, state, and local partners, we have taken nine alleged conspirators off the streets and secured indictments against three more. Operations like this underscore our unwavering commitment to dismantling the criminal networks that manufacture and traffic these dangerous drugs, and we are far from finished."
In addition to a high volume of drugs, 21 guns, and over $20,000 in cash were seized. The over 500 gallons of liquid methamphetamine in solution seized could have been processed to produce more than 2,000 more pounds of "finished" crystal methamphetamine. This enforcement operation was the result of years of work from the DOJ's High Impact Investigation Team (HIIT), who worked alongside the Central Valley California High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, FBI, Kings County Sheriff's Office, Fresno County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Drug Enforcement Administration, California Cannabis Control, and Madera County Sheriff's Office. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California will be prosecuting the case. HIIT has a collateral duty of processing and dismantling clandestine drug laboratories. Methamphetamine conversion laboratories are known for mass production and are capable of producing hundreds of pounds of crystal methamphetamine in a relatively short time span..
HIIT is a California Department of Justice, Bureau of Investigation-led multi-agency task force, with additional federal funding through the national High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. It is comprised of members from the California Department of Justice, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation-Special Services Unit, Fresno County Sheriff's Office, Madera County Sheriff's Office, Kings County Sheriff's Office, Fresno Police Department, California Highway Patrol, and FBI. As part of DOJ's task force program, the participating agencies of HIIT work collaboratively to combat drug trafficking organizations, violent career criminals and gangs. These unique and essential teams use the latest technology and advanced investigative techniques and work alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement to enhance investigations into violent criminals and organized crime throughout the state.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-shuts-down-major-fresno-meth-lab-operation-over-2500
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OPPOSES ATTEMPT TO GUT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 17 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OPPOSES ATTEMPT TO GUT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
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Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, today filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) thinly veiled attempt to drive large numbers of employees to resign by forcing them to move across the country.
In their brief, Raoul and the coalition urge the Northern District of California to halt the USDA's
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 17 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL OPPOSES ATTEMPT TO GUT U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
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Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, today filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) thinly veiled attempt to drive large numbers of employees to resign by forcing them to move across the country.
In their brief, Raoul and the coalition urge the Northern District of California to halt the USDA'sdestructive reorganization plan to protect states from this imminent harm. Raoul and the coalition are joining the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the AFL-CIO and many other labor organizations, counties, municipalities, nonprofits and member organizations around the country that are challenging the proposed USDA reorganization.
"The USDA's proposed reorganization plan would hinder Illinois' ability to provide nutrition assistance to families, as well as eliminate vital information provided to farmers with the closing of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center," Raoul said. "The Trump administration is once again attempting to gut federal agencies he dislikes, and I will continue to join with my fellow attorneys general in pushing back against these illogical and dangerous proposals."
Raoul and the coalition's brief supports a motion for a preliminary injunction in AFGE, AFL-CIO, et al. v. Trump, et al., a case pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Raoul and the coalition argue that the USDA's reorganization would not benefit the agency or the states and would instead harm states that partner with the USDA on essential programs to protect food safety and security, administer food assistance to our most vulnerable residents, and prevent wildfires.
Illinois relies on USDA Food and Nutrition Administration personnel for program administration, guidance, funding, oversight and coordination. The reorganization threatens Illinois' ability to efficiently administer critical nutrition-assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, child and school-based nutrition programs, and nutrition-related disaster assistance.
Similarly, Illinois and other states rely on USDA research agencies for information and data concerning agriculture, food production, conservation, pests, plant and animal health, and food safety. The USDA plans to close the flagship Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Maryland, which has been the home of the Agricultural Research Service and is widely regarded as one of the most advanced and influential agricultural research centers in the world. Shuttering this lab would harm not just agriculture, but also public health. Scientists at BARC are currently studying cyclospora, a foodborne parasite that can cause severe illness, at a time the U.S. is in the midst of the worst cyclospora outbreak on record. Every scientist on at least one ongoing cyclospora project at BARC has declined to move across the country and will instead be forced to resign from the USDA, leaving the future of this research uncertain.
States and countless local governments also depend upon the Forest Service for wildfire prevention, wildfire response, land-management partnerships and scientific expertise. As USDA Forest Service personnel are pushed out, the agency will have reduced capacity and lose specialized expertise, exposing state lands and communities to unnecessary harm.
The Trump administration has repeatedly tried to dramatically slash protections and programs that states and people rely on, including food safety, environmental protection, natural disaster funding and funding for victims of crime. In the case of the USDA, Trump's political appointees are hoping to cut as much as 46% of the USDA's workforce. One way the administration is attempting to force people out is through this drastic reorganization, which forces employees to choose between moving across the country despite family and personal obligations - and in many cases taking a significant pay cut - or quitting their jobs. Raoul and the coalition's brief highlights the harms to public health and safety that would follow and urges the court to protect these programs and employees.
Joining Raoul in filing this brief are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
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Original text here: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-opposes-attempt-to-gut-us-department-of-agriculture
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL ANNOUNCES FORMER JOHNSON COUNTY 911 COORDINATOR PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 17 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL ANNOUNCES FORMER JOHNSON COUNTY 911 COORDINATOR PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT
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Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Vienna, Illinois man pleaded guilty to defrauding Johnson, Hardin and Pope counties out of over $100,000 while employed as the Johnson County 911 administrator.
Justin Vaughn, 43, pleaded guilty in Johnson County Circuit Court to one count of theft of governmental property, a Class 1 Felony; and
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Sept. 17 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL ANNOUNCES FORMER JOHNSON COUNTY 911 COORDINATOR PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING GOVERNMENT PROPERTY, OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT
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Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Vienna, Illinois man pleaded guilty to defrauding Johnson, Hardin and Pope counties out of over $100,000 while employed as the Johnson County 911 administrator.
Justin Vaughn, 43, pleaded guilty in Johnson County Circuit Court to one count of theft of governmental property, a Class 1 Felony; andone count of official misconduct, a Class 3 Felony. Vaughn's sentencing hearing is Jan. 13, 2027.
"As the county 911 administrator, Vaughn held a position of trust in the community, and this guilty plea should be a reminder that no one is above the law," Raoul said. "My office collaborates with law enforcement partners across jurisdictions to not only pursue allegations of fraud and official misconduct, but to hold public servants like Vaughn accountable for abusing their positions for personal benefit."
This case was referred to the Attorney General's office by the Johnson County state's attorney's office. Attorney General Raoul's office collaborated with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and the Illinois State Police (ISP) on the investigation.
From 2017 to 2023, while employed as the Johnson County 911 administrator, Vaughn submitted fraudulent invoices for 911 system equipment that was never delivered. Vaughn canceled some of these purchase orders before they were fully processed; while other orders were never placed with or processed by the merchant. He then reported to county officials and employees that he used his personal credit cards to pay for the equipment and required immediate reimbursement. Over the course of six years, Vaughn requested and received more than $690,000 in fraudulent reimbursement payments.
Bureau Chief Haley Bookhout and Assistant Attorney Generals Charles Ewell, Skylar Lily Hill and Nemura Pencyla prosecuted the case for Raoul's office.
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Original text here: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-announces-former-johnson-county-911-coordinator-pleads-guilty-to-stealing-government-property-official-misconduct
AG Brown co-leads coalition opposing attempt to gut U.S. Department of Agriculture
OLYMPIA, Washington, Sept. 17 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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AG Brown co-leads coalition opposing attempt to gut U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Attorney General Nick Brown co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief Wednesday in support of a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s thinly veiled attempt to drive large numbers of employees to resign by forcing them to move across the country. USDA's "reorganization" would not benefit the agency or the states. Instead, it would harm Washington
... Show Full Article
OLYMPIA, Washington, Sept. 17 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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AG Brown co-leads coalition opposing attempt to gut U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Attorney General Nick Brown co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief Wednesday in support of a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s thinly veiled attempt to drive large numbers of employees to resign by forcing them to move across the country. USDA's "reorganization" would not benefit the agency or the states. Instead, it would harm Washingtonand other states who partner with USDA on essential programs to prevent wildfires, protect food safety and security, and administer food assistance to our most vulnerable residents.
In the brief, the coalition urges the Northern District of California to halt the USDA's reorganization plan to protect states from this imminent harm.
"Washington has worked extensively with the National Forest Service this year to help deal with the wildfires that have devastated parts of our state," said Attorney General Nick Brown. "Under the administration's plan, the Forest Service and other important parts of USDA would be hollowed out, making Washington more vulnerable to future fires."
Washington and local governments across the state depend upon the Forest Service for wildfire prevention, wildfire response, land-management partnerships, and scientific expertise. As Forest Service personnel are pushed out, the agency will have reduced capacity and lose specialized expertise, exposing Washington state lands and communities to unnecessary harm at a time when the state is experiencing devastating wildfires.
The Washington Department of Social and Health Services also relies on USDA Food and Nutrition Administration personnel for program administration, guidance, funding, oversight, and coordination. The reorganization threatens Washington's ability to efficiently administer programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan.
Similarly, Washington and other states rely on USDA research agencies for scientific information concerning agriculture, food production, conservation, pests, plant health, animal health, and food safety. The USDA plans to close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), which has been the home of the Agricultural Research Service and is widely regarded as one of the most advanced and influential agricultural research centers in the world. Shuttering this lab would harm not just agriculture, but public health. Scientists at BARC are currently studying cyclospora, a foodborne parasite that can cause severe illness, while the United States is in the midst of the worst cyclospora outbreak on record. Every scientist on at least one ongoing cyclospora project at BARC has declined to move across the country and will instead be forced to resign from USDA, leaving the future of this research uncertain.
The Trump administration has repeatedly tried to dramatically slash protections and programs that states and people rely on, including food safety, environmental protection, natural disaster funding, and funding for victims of crime. In the case of USDA, Trump political appointees are hoping to cut as much as 46% of USDA's workforce. One way they are attempting to force people out is through this reorganization, which forces employees to choose between moving across the country and in many cases taking a significant pay cut, or quitting their jobs.
Brown co-led this brief with the attorneys general of California and Maryland. The brief was also joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Virginia.
Read the brief.
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Washington's Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state's largest law firm, the Attorney General's Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington's 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
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Original text here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-brown-co-leads-coalition-opposing-attempt-gut-us-department-agriculture
