Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
Featured Stories
N.J. A.G. Davenport, Division of Consumer Affairs Warn Hotels and Short-Term Rental Providers Against Junk Fees Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
TRENTON, New Jersey, May 22 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on May 21, 2026:
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AG Davenport, Division of Consumer Affairs Warn Hotels and Short-Term Rental Providers Against Junk Fees Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
As New Jersey prepares to welcome visitors from around the globe for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) are issuing guidance warning hotels and short-term rental housing providers against charging junk fees to consumers and putting them on notice that hidden
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TRENTON, New Jersey, May 22 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on May 21, 2026:
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AG Davenport, Division of Consumer Affairs Warn Hotels and Short-Term Rental Providers Against Junk Fees Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
As New Jersey prepares to welcome visitors from around the globe for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) are issuing guidance warning hotels and short-term rental housing providers against charging junk fees to consumers and putting them on notice that hiddenfees and deceptive pricing tactics violate the law in New Jersey.
Guidance published by the Division today reminds businesses that New Jersey's consumer protection laws require honest, transparent pricing and prohibit bait-and-switch tactics that mislead consumers about the true cost of lodging. The guidance comes as New Jersey is set to host eight World Cup matches in June and July 2026.
"As the world comes to New Jersey this summer, it's critical that consumers not be blindsided by hidden fees or deceptive pricing schemes that make accommodations less affordable than advertised," said Attorney General Davenport. "Hidden fees and deceptive pricing tactics hurt consumers and make it harder for honest businesses to compete in the marketplace. Transparent pricing helps consumers make informed decisions, compare costs fairly, and avoid surprise charges that can put travel out of reach. We expect hotels and short-term rental providers to compete honestly and comply with the law."
"Consumers have a right to know the total price of lodging before they book their stay," said Jeremy E. Hollander, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. "Hotels and short-term rental housing providers that hide mandatory fees, mislead travelers, or inflate costs through deceptive practices risk violating New Jersey's consumer protection laws. We're making sure they are aware of their obligations under the law."
Under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and the Federal Trade Commission's Unfair or Deceptive Fees Rule, hotels and short-term rental providers must clearly disclose mandatory charges and avoid misleading representations about fees and pricing.
The guidance, published online at www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-0521_World-Cup-Hotel-Junk-Fees-Notice.pdf, highlights five key requirements for lodging providers:
* Advertise the true total price upfront. Listings and advertisements must clearly and conspicuously disclose the total price, including mandatory fees and surcharges. Optional charges and government-imposed fees may be excluded;
* Do not misrepresent fees. Businesses may not mislead consumers about the amount, purpose, or refundability of fees, or omit material information about those charges;
* Display the final payment amount before checkout. Before consumers pay, businesses must clearly show the full amount owed--including taxes, government charges, and optional add-ons-and identify any fees not included in the advertised price;
* Avoid excessive credit card surcharges. Businesses cannot charge consumers more than the actual cost of processing a credit card payment and must disclose any surcharge before the charge is incurred; and
* Follow local short-term rental laws. Municipal rules governing short-term rentals vary across New Jersey and may impose minimum stay requirements or other restrictions. Businesses should not advertise rentals that violate local ordinances and could be cancelled by local authorities.
Consumers who encounter misleading hotel or rental listings are encouraged to file a complaint on the Division's website at: New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Consumer Complaints Page. Listings or conduct that violate local or municipal ordinances should also be reported to local authorities.
Review Guidance (http://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-0521_World-Cup-Hotel-Junk-Fees-Notice.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-division-of-consumer-affairs-warn-hotels-and-short-term-rental-providers-against-junk-fees-ahead-of-2026-fifa-world-cup/
West Virginia Sues Major Proxy Advising Firm for Misleading Investors While Pushing Radical Climate Agenda
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, May 21 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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West Virginia sues major proxy advising firm for misleading investors while pushing radical climate agenda
Today, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey filed a lawsuit against Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), the world's largest proxy advisor firm, claiming the company misled West Virginia investors. ISS promised objective advice while promoting an undisclosed ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) agenda and coordinating with activist
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CHARLESTON, West Virginia, May 21 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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West Virginia sues major proxy advising firm for misleading investors while pushing radical climate agenda
Today, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey filed a lawsuit against Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), the world's largest proxy advisor firm, claiming the company misled West Virginia investors. ISS promised objective advice while promoting an undisclosed ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) agenda and coordinating with activistgroups.
"West Virginia citizens, investors and businesses demand a marketplace that is free from undue influence. ISS has, itself and through its proxies, exerted massive, secretive influence over major portions of our economy, leading to a restructuring of boardrooms into political machines designed to destroy coal, gas and many of the values that West Virginians hold dear. That stops today. The market works best when it's free, and this is a huge step to returning to that ideal," Attorney General McCuskey said.
The lawsuit claims ISS falsely advertised its services as objective, while actually working with ESG activist groups like Climate Action 100+, Ceres, and The Children's Investment Fund, to shape recommendations, without disclosing their influence to clients who were expecting neutral recommendations. The lawsuit alleges those deceptive actions are a violation of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act.
ISS's owners, Deutsche Borse AG and General Atlantic, are also committed ESG activists, creating undisclosed conflicts of interest. The company used ESG metrics without studying financial impact, adopting broad ESG policies without analyzing their effect on shareholder value or company performance.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims ISS opposed leaders who focused on financial analysis over ideology, citing Warren Buffett as an example.
From 2022 to early 2025, ISS allegedly recommended votes against board members based on race and ethnicity - a policy the lawsuit says was illegal and not disclosed to clients. ISS ended this after a 2025 Executive Order. On the side, ISS ran a consulting business selling ESG services to the same companies it rated, without fully disclosing this conflict of interest.
The lawsuit follows wider national concerns about proxy advisers like ISS, with U.S. officials and financial leaders criticizing the firm's influence and conflicts of interest.
Florida first filed a lawsuit against ISS in November. West Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, and Texas join in filing suit against ISS today. The Multistate Proxy Advisor Coalition aims for coordinated efforts and a unified front against what they call widespread harm from ISS's practices. The Multistate Proxy Advisor Coalition includes West Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
Read a copy of the lawsuit here (https://ago.wv.gov/media/37716/download?inline).
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Original text here: https://ago.wv.gov/article/west-virginia-sues-major-proxy-advising-firm-misleading-investors-while-pushing-radical
Va. A.G. Jones Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Student Loan Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
RICHMOND, Virginia, May 21 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Student Loan Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
Coalition challenges unlawful rule that could restrict access to advanced education and worsen workforce shortages
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Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loans
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RICHMOND, Virginia, May 21 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Student Loan Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
Coalition challenges unlawful rule that could restrict access to advanced education and worsen workforce shortages
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Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loansfor students pursuing professional degree programs, including many healthcare and other critical workforce fields.
The lawsuit challenges a recently finalized Department of Education rule that narrows the federal definition of "professional degree" and imposes restrictions Congress did not authorize. The coalition argues the rule unlawfully excludes many degree programs that qualify under the standards established by federal law, potentially reducing access to financial aid for students pursuing advanced education.
"Cutting off access to federal student loans cuts off access to career opportunities for Virginians. This unlawful rule will worsen the workforce crisis and further strain the healthcare field," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "The Trump administration is once again skirting the system of checks and balances, and my office is committed to standing up for student borrowers in the Commonwealth."
In July 2025, Congress passed legislation imposing new limits on federal student loans for graduate and professional students. The new limits are lower for graduate students than for professional degree students; to distinguish the two, Congress incorporated an existing federal definition of "professional degree" into law. The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Education unlawfully altered that definition by adding new requirements and narrowing eligibility in ways Congress never authorized.
The coalition argues the rule could harm states by reducing support for public institutions of higher education, creating barriers for students pursuing advanced training, and worsening workforce shortages in critical professions. The complaint notes that these impacts could be particularly significant in fields such as healthcare, where states already face ongoing workforce challenges.
The lawsuit also challenges provisions that limit protections for students already enrolled in programs. The statute includes a grandfathering provision that delays implementation of the loan caps for currently enrolled students. Under the rule, however, some students who transfer institutions or temporarily withdraw and later return to their programs could lose eligibility for grandfathering, creating additional financial barriers.
The coalition filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
The lawsuit is being co-led by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Attorney General Jones is joining the co-lead states and the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in filing the lawsuit.
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3027-attorney-general-jay-jones-sues-u-s-department-of-education-over-student-loan-rule-limiting-access-to-student-loans-for-professional-degree-programs
Homeaglow home cleaning platform must cease deceptive and predatory practices under consent decree with AG's Office
OLYMPIA, Washington, May 21 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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Homeaglow home cleaning platform must cease deceptive and predatory practices under consent decree with AG's Office
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The Attorney General's Office has agreed to a consent decree with home cleaning platform Homeaglow and its two founders, requiring them to cease deceptive practices uncovered by investigators.
Homeaglow, which also does business as Dazzling Cleaning, had been enticing consumers with a $19 cleaning fee, but in actuality that deal roped Washington consumers into
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OLYMPIA, Washington, May 21 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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Homeaglow home cleaning platform must cease deceptive and predatory practices under consent decree with AG's Office
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The Attorney General's Office has agreed to a consent decree with home cleaning platform Homeaglow and its two founders, requiring them to cease deceptive practices uncovered by investigators.
Homeaglow, which also does business as Dazzling Cleaning, had been enticing consumers with a $19 cleaning fee, but in actuality that deal roped Washington consumers intohundreds of dollars in costs due to their predatory membership program featuring an exorbitant cancellation fee.
Under the consent decree, Homeaglow and its owners must be honest and transparent about their introductory offers, the terms of their membership, and their customer reviews. As part of the settlement, any Washingtonian who is a Homeaglow ForeverClean member can cancel their membership at no charge even if they are still in the first six months of the membership. Those consumers can easily cancel by clicking here or by emailing the company at NoticeofSettlement@wa-settlement-homeaglow.com and entering "Cancel ForeverClean" in the subject line. If any Washington consumers have difficulty cancelling, they should contact the Attorney General's Office by filing a complaint here.
"It's not a legitimate business practice to deceive people into a membership program they didn't know they were joining and have to pay hundreds of dollars to cancel-it's a scam," said Attorney General Nick Brown. "This agreement helps people who were harmed by this company and also ensures the owners of Homeaglow won't be able to replicate the same dubious practices in the future."
Homeaglow is a platform that matches home cleaners with interested customers. They entice customers by offering a first cleaning at a low price. However, unbeknownst to them, when customers signed up for the first cleaning, they were also signing up for a $59 per month membership program that buys the customers nothing except the opportunity to sign up for future cleanings. Customers had to continue paying for this program for six months or pay hundreds of dollars in cancellation fees.
Homeaglow did not disclose the terms of this program clearly or conspicuously during the signup process. Instead, they filled their site with a countdown clock and an indicator showing how many "vouchers" for low-cost cleanings remained in the customer's area. Both of these tools were designed to create a sense of urgency in customers and are completely fake.
One Washington customer signed up for a $79 cleaning on Homeaglow. After that cleaning, she was automatically enrolled in the membership program and charged a monthly fee, which did not purchase her any additional cleanings. Once she realized she was being charged, she cancelled the membership and was charged a cancellation fee of $358.50. In total, the customer paid Homeaglow $600.75 for a single cleaning advertised at $79.
"I was upset and felt completely scammed," said the Washington consumer. "I am a single parent with four children. I was not aware of the membership commitment when I purchased the cleaning. Nothing during the purchase process clearly indicated this was a subscription program or that there were fees to cancel. I would never knowingly sign up for something like this with my limited budget."
Homeaglow also deceived customers about its reviews. Until recently, Homeaglow advertised a 5-star rating based on 6,406 reviews from TrustPilot, a third-party review website. In fact, Homeaglow has a 1.3-star rating on TrustPilot. TrustPilot sent a cease-and-desist letter to Homeaglow in 2025 accusing them of fabricating reviews and removed 4,000 apparently fake reviews from their platform. The Better Business Bureau has received over 3,300 complaints about Homeaglow in the past three years.
Unfair and deceptive practices like these violate Washington's Consumer Protection Act.
The consent decree requires Homeaglow and its two Texas-based owners to reform their practices. Specifically, it requires:
1. Homeaglow cannot misrepresent customer reviews or suppress negative reviews.
2. If Homeaglow or its owners advertise an introductory offer or discount voucher (e.g., "Get clean for $19"), they also must disclose the membership and its terms. Homeaglow must not misrepresent these offers.
3. Homeaglow and its owners must clearly and conspicuously disclose the terms of the membership during enrollment and obtain express informed consent from consumers before charging them for membership. They must also provide a simple mechanism to cancel the membership.
4. All current members can cancel without paying the early termination fee.
Homeaglow is permanently held to these terms, and the owners are held to them for 10 years.
Read the consent decree.
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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.
Media Contact:
Email: press@atg.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 753-2727
General contacts: Click here
Media Resource Guide & Attorney General's Office FAQ
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Original text here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/homeaglow-home-cleaning-platform-must-cease-deceptive-and-predatory-practices
Attorney General Paxton Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Meta and WhatsApp for Lying About Privacy Measures and Deceiving Texans by Falsely Claiming WhatsApp Messages are Encrypted
AUSTIN, Texas, May 21 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Paxton Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Meta and WhatsApp for Lying About Privacy Measures and Deceiving Texans by Falsely Claiming WhatsApp Messages are Encrypted
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Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC (collectively "WhatsApp") after the company misled consumers regarding the strength and scope of its privacy protections for its messaging app, WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is widely marketed as a secure messaging service that uses end-to-end
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AUSTIN, Texas, May 21 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Paxton Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Meta and WhatsApp for Lying About Privacy Measures and Deceiving Texans by Falsely Claiming WhatsApp Messages are Encrypted
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Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Meta Platforms Inc. and WhatsApp LLC (collectively "WhatsApp") after the company misled consumers regarding the strength and scope of its privacy protections for its messaging app, WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is widely marketed as a secure messaging service that uses end-to-endencryption. This means only the sender and recipient can access the contents of messages, not even the platform itself. These representations have led millions of users to believe their communications are fully private and inaccessible to third parties.
However, investigations and insider accounts have shown those claims to be blatantly inaccurate. Reports suggest that employees of WhatsApp have been able to access user communications. Additional reporting and investigations indicate that message content can be pulled and viewed after the message has been sent. This is a complete and total misrepresentation of Meta's privacy policies.
"Texans deserve to know whether their private communications are indeed truly private," said Attorney General Paxton. "WhatsApp markets its services as secure and encrypted, but it does not deliver on those promises. I am suing to protect Texans' privacy and ensure that WhatsApp by Meta does not mislead Texans by unlawfully accessing private conversations and data."
Attorney General Paxton brings claims under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act ("DTPA"). This lawsuit follows a series of legal actions aimed to protect data privacy of Texans-including a recent lawsuit against Netflix and a settlement with LG.
To read the lawsuit, click here.
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Original text here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-paxton-files-landmark-lawsuit-against-meta-and-whatsapp-lying-about-privacy
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Reminds North Carolinians to Protect Their Information After Recent Data Breach
RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 21 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jeff Jackson Reminds North Carolinians to Protect Their Information After Recent Data Breach
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RALEIGH -Attorney General Jeff Jackson is reminding North Carolinians to protect their personal information after a recent Canvas data breach impacted 275 million students, parents, and school staff. While it's not clear that this breach compromised sensitive data like Social Security numbers or financial account information, it's better to always take additional
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, May 21 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jeff Jackson Reminds North Carolinians to Protect Their Information After Recent Data Breach
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RALEIGH -Attorney General Jeff Jackson is reminding North Carolinians to protect their personal information after a recent Canvas data breach impacted 275 million students, parents, and school staff. While it's not clear that this breach compromised sensitive data like Social Security numbers or financial account information, it's better to always take additionalsteps to protect your accounts. In the wrong hands, criminals can use this information to steal identities, open fraudulent accounts, or target consumers with scams. Last year, a record-setting 2,349 data breaches were reported to the North Carolina Department of Justice, impacting over 9 million North Carolinians.
"Data breaches can put your personal information in the hands of criminals," said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. "Stay alert, secure your accounts, and watch for any signs of fraud or identity theft."
Follow these tips to protect your personal information.
* Sign up for free credit monitoring. If you receive a notification regarding a data breach, sign up for the free credit monitoring.
* Monitor your own credit files. The three national credit reporting agencies -Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion -have permanently extended a program that lets you check your credit report at each of the agencies once a week for free.
* Protect your accounts. Turn on multi-factor authentication for important accounts, especially banking, email, and social media accounts. This adds an extra layer of security even if your password is compromised.
* Avoid using the same password across various accounts. If your username and password are compromised in a breach, using the same password could help a criminal gain more access to other personal information.
* Freeze your credit. Freezing your credit prevents identity thieves from taking out loans or opening credit cards in your name if your information is compromised in a data breach. You can freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
If you believe that you have been the victim of identity theft, contact our office's Consumer Protection Division at www.ncdoj.gov/complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
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Original text here: https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-reminds-north-carolinians-to-protect-their-information-after-recent-data-breach/
Attorney General James Shuts Down Predatory Law Firm That Targeted New York City Tenants Facing Eviction
ALBANY, New York, May 21 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Shuts Down Predatory Law Firm That Targeted New York City Tenants Facing Eviction
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NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office has secured an agreement to close the predatory law firm Tenants Counsel Network (TCN) for taking advantage of New York City tenants facing eviction. An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation found that TCN targeted tenants facing eviction and used deceptive marketing tactics to trap them
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ALBANY, New York, May 21 -- New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following news release:
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Attorney General James Shuts Down Predatory Law Firm That Targeted New York City Tenants Facing Eviction
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NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced that her office has secured an agreement to close the predatory law firm Tenants Counsel Network (TCN) for taking advantage of New York City tenants facing eviction. An Office of the Attorney General (OAG) investigation found that TCN targeted tenants facing eviction and used deceptive marketing tactics to trap theminto binding legal agreements that required a monthly subscription fee. After trapping tenants in these agreements, TCN failed to provide adequate legal counsel, including failing to show up to eviction court proceedings. As a result of OAG's intervention, TCN and its Founding Partner Aryeh Weber must dissolve their firm, refund $172,257 to former clients, and pay $35,000 in penalties to New York. The OAG will oversee the refund process to ensure all clients are contacted and refunds are distributed.
"When tenants seek legal counsel, they should be able to trust that their lawyers are going to help them," said Attorney General James. "Housing is a stabilizing force for New York families, and this law firm preyed on New Yorkers who stood to lose it. Today, my office is putting hard-earned money back in New Yorkers' pockets and making sure that this law firm cannot harm any tenant again."
TCN began advertising as a for-profit law firm in December 2023. The OAG opened an investigation into TCN in May 2024 after receiving complaints from tenants, advocates, and the legal community. TCN's website claimed the firm was a "specialty practice" with "a comprehensive and nuanced command of New York City's housing laws," and claimed "thousands of dollars of overcharges recovered" for tenants. In reality, TCN, at its inception, did not employ any attorneys with expertise in landlord-tenant law. TCN's website also featured fictional testimonials from fake customers to further the deception.
To find clients, TCN improperly obtained a list of tenants facing eviction in New York City and sent 35,569 solicitation letters to those tenants offering legal services from "experienced attorneys." Over 1,100 of these letters were signed by an attorney who does not exist. In some cases, the letter from TCN arrived before the court papers and was the first notice the tenant received about their possible eviction. TCN further attempted to solicit clients by calling tenants facing eviction numerous times a day. The so-called client managers who made the calls and spoke to tenants falsely claimed TCN could offer subsidized legal services, leading some clients to potentially believe that TCN was a non-profit legal services provider, which it was not. Client managers denied tenants the ability to speak to an attorney before signing their agreement and misrepresented the number of attorneys TCN had on staff.
Tenants who were successfully persuaded to retain TCN as their legal counsel faced numerous issues with their representation, including a lack of communication in advance of court dates and, in numerous cases, failure to show up for court dates. In one instance, a tenant whose TCN attorney did not show up to court was not able to reach anyone when she called TCN and never even received a call back, despite being a paying client. The OAG's investigation revealed dozens of instances in which TCN attorneys missed court appearances. In many cases, tenants entered into agreements with TCN and never once had a meaningful conversation with an attorney.
Under the settlement, TCN will immediately close and stop representing current clients by July 31, 2026. TCN will provide at least a 60-day written notice to all existing clients with active court cases that they will be closing. TCN will also be required to pay $172,257 in full or partial refunds to former identified clients, with some clients receiving more than $3,000. The firm will also pay $25,000 in penalties to New York state. Aryeh Weber, TCN's President, will also be required to close his law office, pay $10,000 in penalties to New York state, and resign from practicing law in New York.
This is the latest action taken by Attorney General James to protect New York tenants. In March 2026, Attorney General James announced new protections for 25 low-income families who were forced out of their affordable housing units in Rochester. In February 2026, Attorney General James sued the owners and managers of an apartment complex in Orange County for leaving residents to endure horrific conditions. In October 2025, Attorney General James stopped a Montgomery County property owner and his companies from illegally discriminating against low-income New Yorkers. In April 2025, Attorney General James secured a settlement with property owners in the Capital Region for illegally denying housing to low-income renters who were using housing assistance. In August 2024, Attorney General James made Shamco Management Corp. pay $400,000 to low-income tenants in New York City for illegally denying housing opportunities.
This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Justin R. La Mort and former Assistant Attorney General Sherief Gaber under the supervision of Housing Protection Unit Chief Brent Meltzer. Investigative support was provided by Investigative Specialists Crystal John and Andres Rodriguez, under the supervision of Supervising Investigator Crystal Combs, Regional Supervisor Cynthia Kane, and Assistant Chief Investigator Michael Leahy. The Housing Protection Unit is part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.
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Original text here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2026/attorney-general-james-shuts-down-predatory-law-firm-targeted-new-york-city
