Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
Featured Stories
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES FORMER U.S. POSTAL SERVICE WORKER WITH THEFT, FORGERY
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 9 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
* * *
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES FORMER U.S. POSTAL SERVICE WORKER WITH THEFT, FORGERY
*
Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Cook County woman alleging she illegally stole personal checks and deposited them into her personal bank account while employed by the U.S. Postal Service.
The Attorney General's office charged Teneshya Harris, 36, of Chicago with four counts of theft by deception of between $500 and $10,000, each Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years in
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 9 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:
* * *
ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL CHARGES FORMER U.S. POSTAL SERVICE WORKER WITH THEFT, FORGERY
*
Chicago - Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Cook County woman alleging she illegally stole personal checks and deposited them into her personal bank account while employed by the U.S. Postal Service.
The Attorney General's office charged Teneshya Harris, 36, of Chicago with four counts of theft by deception of between $500 and $10,000, each Class 3 felonies punishable by up to five years inprison, and four counts of forgery, each Class 3 felonies also punishable by up to five years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Harris' next court date is scheduled for May 7.
"Americans rely on the integrity and reliability of the U.S. Postal Service, and it is unacceptable that any Postal Service employee would abuse their position to take advantage of the public they are supposed to serve," Raoul said. "I will continue to partner with federal agencies to hold individuals accountable when they defraud the public for their own personal financial gain."
Attorney General Raoul's office alleges Harris was employed by the Postal Service when she allegedly stole checks from customers who were attempting to mail them through the Postal Service. After stealing the checks, Harris is alleged to have either forged them to be made out to her personally or even increased the amount of the check. Harris then allegedly endorsed the checks with her signature and deposited them into her personal bank account.
The Attorney General's office is prosecuting this case based on a referral from the U.S. Postal Service - Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
"This indictment is a statement that mail theft will not be tolerated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice," said Mary T. Johnson, acting inspector-in-charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. "Maintaining integrity of the U.S. mail is paramount for our agency. That is why the Postal Inspection Service will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to collectively pursue criminals who victimize postal customers."
The public is reminded that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant Attorney General Skylar Hill is prosecuting the case for Raoul's Public Integrity Bureau.
***
Original text here: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-charges-former-us-postal-service-worker-with-theft-forgery-4-9-26
Attorney General Ken Paxton Demands Documents from Over 1,000 Municipalities as Part of New Effort to Stop Cities From Illegally Raising Taxes
AUSTIN, Texas, April 9 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Ken Paxton Demands Documents from Over 1,000 Municipalities as Part of New Effort to Stop Cities From Illegally Raising Taxes
*
Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating over 1,000 cities across Texas to ensure they are complying with state law that requires financial transparency and to prevent unlawful tax increases on Texans.
During the most recent legislative session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1851, which requires cities to complete and publicly post
... Show Full Article
AUSTIN, Texas, April 9 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Ken Paxton Demands Documents from Over 1,000 Municipalities as Part of New Effort to Stop Cities From Illegally Raising Taxes
*
Attorney General Ken Paxton is investigating over 1,000 cities across Texas to ensure they are complying with state law that requires financial transparency and to prevent unlawful tax increases on Texans.
During the most recent legislative session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1851, which requires cities to complete and publicly postannual financial audits by a specified deadline. Under the law, municipalities that fail to meet these auditing and transparency requirements are prohibited from increasing property tax revenue beyond the previous year's level.
Attorney General Paxton previously demanded documents from cities to ensure they are in compliance with the law. To ensure statewide compliance with the law in this new fiscal year, Attorney General Paxton has again requested financial documents and information from Texas cities to ensure that they meet audit and transparency requirements before they raise taxes on Texans.
Some of the largest cities included in the investigation that must turn over documents are Houston, Conroe, Sugar Land, Galveston, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Wichita Falls, McAllen, Beaumont, Amarillo, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Laredo, Texarkana, Victoria, Brownsville, Waco, Abilene, San Angelo, and Tyler.
"I will not allow any Texas city to unlawfully increase taxes. That is why my office is reviewing the actions of over 1,000 cities to ensure that they are complying with transparency requirements and not attempting to illegally raise property taxes," said Attorney General Paxton. "I am demanding that cities prioritize transparency and work to minimize the tax burden of every citizen across the state. While many cities have complied with these requirements, I will continue to fight to ensure that every municipality across our state is following the law."
The Office of the Attorney General has created a complaint form that Texans can fill out if they believe local officials are violating SB 1851's audit requirements and unlawfully raising taxes. The complaint form can be found here.
***
Original text here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-demands-documents-over-1000-municipalities-part-new-effort-stop-cities
Attorney General Griffin Launches One Pill Can Kill Initiative at University of Central Arkansas in Conway
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, April 9 -- Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Griffin Launches One Pill Can Kill Initiative at University of Central Arkansas in Conway
*
Griffin: 'UCA has been an important partner in the One Pill Can Kill initiative and has scheduled other student-engagement events this week on issues of health and substance abuse'
CONWAY - Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after holding a press conference with University of Central Arkansas President Houston Davis to announce the launch of the
... Show Full Article
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas, April 9 -- Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Griffin Launches One Pill Can Kill Initiative at University of Central Arkansas in Conway
*
Griffin: 'UCA has been an important partner in the One Pill Can Kill initiative and has scheduled other student-engagement events this week on issues of health and substance abuse'
CONWAY - Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after holding a press conference with University of Central Arkansas President Houston Davis to announce the launch of theOne Pill Can Kill initiative at UCA:
"UCA has the third-largest enrollment of any university in Arkansas, and I am thrilled that they have joined the One Pill Can Kill initiative, partnering with us to educate students about the dangers of illicit opioids.
"The training we're holding on campus today will provide resources to 200 UCA students such as fentanyl testing strips, knowledge of how to recognize an overdose, and instruction on how to administer Narcan. We are also in discussions to provide a vending machine to be placed on the UCA campus that will allow students to discreetly obtain Narcan for free.
"UCA has been an important partner in the One Pill Can Kill initiative and has scheduled other student-engagement events this week on issues of health and substance abuse, including a drug take-back event and a town hall on tobacco-use prevention and cessation.
"This is the 12th school to join the One Pill Can Kill initiative. We look forward to expanding the program to more two- and four-year schools across the state this coming fall."
Davis added the following statement:
"At the University of Central Arkansas, we care deeply about the well-being of our students and encourage them to look out for one another and take action to keep each other safe. The dangers of fentanyl are something we take seriously, and we have been committed to prevention and education efforts for several years. We welcome this partnership with Attorney General Griffin through the One Pill Can Kill initiative because it strengthens those efforts and helps us better educate, support and protect our students."
To download PDF version of this release, click here.
About Attorney General Tim Griffin
Tim Griffin was sworn in as the 57th Attorney General of Arkansas on January 10, 2023, having previously served as the state's 20th Lieutenant Governor from 2015-2023. From 2011-2015, Griffin served as the 24th representative of Arkansas's Second Congressional District, where he served on the House Committee on Ways and Means, House Armed Services Committee, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, House Committee on Ethics and House Committee on the Judiciary while also serving as a Deputy Whip for the Majority.
Griffin is currently an officer in the Arkansas Army National Guard and holds the rank of colonel. Griffin served as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps for more than 28 years. In 2005, Griffin was mobilized to active duty as an Army prosecutor at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and served with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) in Mosul, Iraq.
His previous assignments include serving as the Commander of the 2d Legal Operations Detachment in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Commander of the 134th Legal Operations Detachment at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and as a Senior Legislative Advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Pentagon. Griffin earned a master's degree in strategic studies as a Distinguished Honor Graduate from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
Griffin also served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Political Affairs for President George W. Bush; Special Assistant to Assistant Attorney General Michael Chertoff, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice; Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Arkansas; Senior Investigative Counsel, Government Reform and Oversight Committee, U.S. House of Representatives; and Associate Independent Counsel, Office of Independent Counsel David M. Barrett, In re: HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros.
Griffin is a graduate of Magnolia High School, Hendrix College in Conway, and Tulane Law School in New Orleans. He attended graduate school at Oxford University. He is admitted to practice law in Arkansas (active) and Louisiana (inactive). Griffin lives in Little Rock with his wife, Elizabeth, a Camden native, and their three children.
***
Original text here: https://arkansasag.gov/news-release/attorney-general-griffin-launches-one-pill-can-kill-initiative-at-university-of-central-arkansas-in-conway/
Attorney General Bonta Dismantles Los Angeles Hospice Fraud Ring Responsible for $267 Million in Fraud, 21 Charged
SACRAMENTO, California, April 9 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Bonta Dismantles Los Angeles Hospice Fraud Ring Responsible for $267 Million in Fraud, 21 Charged
*
LOS ANGELES - California Attorney General Rob Bonta, together with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), today announced charges filed against 21 suspects and the dismantling of a major hospice fraud scheme that defrauded California of $267 million. Operation Skip Trace resulted in the arrest of five people after ten different locations were searched
... Show Full Article
SACRAMENTO, California, April 9 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Bonta Dismantles Los Angeles Hospice Fraud Ring Responsible for $267 Million in Fraud, 21 Charged
*
LOS ANGELES - California Attorney General Rob Bonta, together with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), today announced charges filed against 21 suspects and the dismantling of a major hospice fraud scheme that defrauded California of $267 million. Operation Skip Trace resulted in the arrest of five people after ten different locations were searchedin Southern California. In addition, two handguns and over $757,000 in cash were seized.
"This isn't a political game for us. This is about protecting taxpayer dollars, protecting the programs that sick and vulnerable Californians rely on, and protecting our state," said Attorney General Rob Bonta. "Over the life of this fraud scheme, not a single legitimate hospice service was ever provided yet millions were billed in a brazen, calculated scheme that exploited the Medi-Cal system. This wasn't a mistake or a loophole; it was deliberate fraud. This kind of abuse undermines trust, drains critical resources, and threatens care for those who truly depend on it. This is a perfect example that we have taken a firm stand to investigate, prosecute, and shut down hospice fraud wherever it exists."
"For years, California has led the charge to protect public programs from fraud and abuse," said Governor Gavin Newsom. "We hold accountable to the fullest extent of the law anyone who tries to rip off taxpayers and take advantage of public programs, particularly those as sensitive as hospice care. I thank the Department of Health Care Services and the California DOJ's Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse for their swift work to bring these charges forward. Since these are state charges, Donald Trump cannot pardon these individuals in exchange for campaign donations."
"Fraud is a direct attack on Medi-Cal members who rely on us for care, and we will not stand for it," said California Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Baass. "Our safeguards worked as designed: we identified irregularities early, stopped further improper payments, and suspended the fraudulent providers. Working closely with the California Department of Justice Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, California's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, we are ensuring those responsible are held fully accountable while strengthening oversight to protect Medi-Cal members and taxpayer dollars."
"This investigation demonstrates what California can accomplish when our state agencies work together with urgency and purpose," said California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Johnson. "Protecting the millions of Californians who depend on Medi-Cal to meet their health needs is our priority and we will not tolerate bad actors. DHCS moved swiftly to stop these payments, disenroll fraudulent accounts, and refer perpetrators for criminal prosecution. Our work is not done, and we will continue strengthening the safeguards that keep Medi-Cal sound and trustworthy for the people it was designed to serve."
The investigation was initiated after the California Department of Justice (DOJ) received a credible allegation of fraud from DHCS. Subsequent investigative efforts uncovered a scheme where individuals purchased personal identifying information for non-California residents from the dark web and enrolled those identities in Medi-Cal through Covered California. 14 hospice companies were purchased by straw owners and the billers began billing for hospice services for the stolen identities. No hospice services were ever rendered. The total fraudulent billing is approximately $267 million.
DOJ filed charges against 21 suspects, in three different criminal complaints. The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. In addition, there is an aggravated white collar crime enhancement and an aggravated money laundering enhancement. On Wednesday, April 8, DOJ, with the assistance of California Department of Health Care Services and the California Franchise Tax Board, executed Operation Skip trace which included the execution of search and arrest warrants at twelve separate locations throughout Southern California.
During Attorney General Bonta's tenure, DOJ conducted 294 hospice-related investigations, filed 119 hospice-related criminal cases, and secured 51 hospice-related convictions. In 2025, DOJ launched a hospice fraud initiative to empower patients, families, law enforcement, and healthcare providers with the knowledge needed to recognize and report fraudulent practices in the hospice care system. The initiative included:
* Educational materials: Public service announcements and informational materials through billboards and radio spots across the Los Angeles area.
* Community forums and stakeholder engagement : Sessions led by DOJ Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse's legal experts to help law enforcement and healthcare professionals recognize and respond to hospice fraud.
* Support services: A dedicated helpline and web portal for reporting suspected fraud and online resources and guides for patients and caregivers.
Recognizing the Signs of Hospice Fraud
If you or a loved one is receiving hospice care, here are some red flags that could signal fraud:
Little or No Care Is Actually Being Provided
* The patient isn't getting regular visits from nurses, aides, or caregivers.
* The patient is not receiving medication, nutrition, or other promised services or equipment.
* Scheduled visits are missed often or happen at odd or inconsistent times.
* The hospice team rarely checks in or is hard to reach.
The Patient Doesn't Seem That Sick
* The patient was signed up for hospice but doesn't appear to have a life-limiting illness.
* The person can still do most of their usual daily activities with no major changes.
* There's no clear diagnosis explaining why hospice was recommended.
No One Explained What Hospice Really Is
* The family or patient didn't fully understand that hospice is for end-of-life care.
* Hospice services started without a clear referral or explanation from the patient's regular doctor.
You Were Offered Gifts or Incentives
* Someone offered you gift cards, groceries, or cash in exchange for signing up.
* The offer felt too good to be true or came from someone you didn't know.
Hospice Services Are Dragging on Without Updates
* The patient has been in hospice care longer than six months with no change or discussion.
* There's no clear plan for care, and no one is talking about the next steps.
Something Feels Off
* The staff seem rushed, unprofessional, or poorly trained.
* You're getting bills or Medi-Cal statements for services that don't match what's happening.
* You or your loved one feels pressured to stay enrolled, even if it doesn't feel right.
Tips to Protect Against Hospice Fraud:
* Know the purpose: Hospice is for terminally ill patients nearing end of life.
* Check with your doctor: Always consult the patient's regular doctor before agreeing to hospice.
* Watch for red flags: Avoid services offered without a referral, or providers offering incentives like gift cards.
* Ask questions : Legitimate hospice providers will be transparent about services and billing.
* Verify providers : Use licensed, accredited hospice services and check reviews.
* Understand your benefits : Know what Medi-Cal or insurance covers to spot false charges.
* Keep records : Document all care and compare with insurance statements.
* Report fraud : Speak up if anything looks suspicious and report it right away.
To report suspected hospice fraud:
* Submit a Complaint Online at https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting
* Call DOJ's Division of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse Complaint Line Toll-free at: (800) 722-0432
* Send a Written Complaint by Mail:
California Department of Justice
Division of Medi-Cal Fraud Elder Abuse
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA) is a division in the California Department of Justice whose mission is to protect citizens and the state's Medi-Cal program from those who defraud taxpayers and divert state health care resources. The investigation would not have been possible without the collaboration of government agencies and those who reported the incidences of Medi-Cal fraud. If you suspect Medi-Cal fraud or elder abuse, you can report the incident at https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/reporting.
The DMFEA receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $77,652,892 for Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $25,884,297 for FFY 2026, is funded by the California Attorney General's Office. FFY 2026 is from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
It is important to note that a criminal indictment contains charges that are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Here is a copy of the first complaint, second complaint, and third complaint.
***
Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-dismantles-los-angeles-hospice-fraud-ring-responsible-267
Attorney General Alan Wilson leads pro-life effort to withdraw mifepristone from FDA approval list
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 9 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
* * *
Attorney General Alan Wilson leads pro-life effort to withdraw mifepristone from FDA approval list
*
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson is leading 13 other states in a letter supporting Senator Josh Hawley's "Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act."
This legislation would withdraw mifepristone from the FDA's approval list. If it becomes law, the act would also create a cause of action for any woman harmed by mifepristone to take civil action.
"As Attorney
... Show Full Article
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, April 9 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
* * *
Attorney General Alan Wilson leads pro-life effort to withdraw mifepristone from FDA approval list
*
(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson is leading 13 other states in a letter supporting Senator Josh Hawley's "Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act."
This legislation would withdraw mifepristone from the FDA's approval list. If it becomes law, the act would also create a cause of action for any woman harmed by mifepristone to take civil action.
"As AttorneyGeneral, I have supported legislation in South Carolina to reclassify mifepristone and outlaw telehealth abortions," Attorney General Wilson said. "I have protected life at every opportunity, fighting to defend the unborn in South Carolina courts and courts across the country. This is just another step to ensure we protect those who cannot protect themselves."
The letter cites the widespread distribution of mifepristone, its current primary use for abortions, and the risks that it poses to the health, safety, and well-being of citizens in every state.
"As a father, the fight to defend life will always be a top priority," Attorney General Wilson stated. "But it doesn't stop there. We must protect the lives of the pre-born while also ensuring women who have been harmed can seek justice."
In addition to South Carolina, attorneys general from the following states joined the letter to Senator Hawley: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas.
You can read the letter here.
***
Original text here: https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/attorney-general-alan-wilson-leads-pro-life-effort-to-withdraw-mifepristone-from-fda-approval-list/
AG's Office Secures $275,000 Settlement from Suboxone Clinic for Submitting False Claims to MassHealth
BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 9 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release:
* * *
AG's Office Secures $275,000 Settlement from Suboxone Clinic for Submitting False Claims to MassHealth
*
BOSTON -The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO) announced that it has reached a $275,000 settlement agreement with Elm Tree, LLC -a clinic that offers treatment for substance use disorders in Quincy, Lowell, and Malden -to resolve allegations that the company billed MassHealth for medically unnecessary urine drug tests.
In addition to paying $275,000 to
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 9 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release:
* * *
AG's Office Secures $275,000 Settlement from Suboxone Clinic for Submitting False Claims to MassHealth
*
BOSTON -The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office (AGO) announced that it has reached a $275,000 settlement agreement with Elm Tree, LLC -a clinic that offers treatment for substance use disorders in Quincy, Lowell, and Malden -to resolve allegations that the company billed MassHealth for medically unnecessary urine drug tests.
In addition to paying $275,000 toMassHealth, Elm Tree is required to draft new policies and procedures that comply with MassHealth requirements. Elm Tree will also implement a three-year independent compliance monitoring program at its own expense. The compliance program will ensure compliance with MassHealth requirements and require annual audits, the results of which will be reported to the AGO.
MassHealth has promulgated specific regulations governing when providers may perform urine drug tests, including that they can only be performed when properly ordered, deemed medically necessary, and cannot be billed on the same date of service as a drug screen. Following a referral from MassHealth, the AGO's investigation uncovered evidence that Elm Tree had performed drug tests that were not consistent with those requirements.
This case is representative of the AGO's ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of services for members with opioid use disorder in the MassHealth program. In November 2025, the AGO announced a guilty plea with a Dracut physician who was charged with involuntary manslaughter associated with the illegal prescribing of opioids. In March 2025, the AGO obtained indictments against several MassHealth providers and their respective owners in connection with alleged fraud and kickback arrangements that collectively resulted in the submission of over $7.8 million in false claims to MassHealth, including for urine drug tests and home health services that were not provided, not medically necessary, and/or not properly authorized. In December 2024, the AGO secured a $2 million settlement with a behavioral health provider for billing MassHealth for more expensive office visits than provided and billing for medically unnecessary urine drug tests.
This matter was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Mary-Ellen Kennedy and Investigator Rachel Wiesler, both of the AGO's Medicaid Fraud Division.
The AGO's Medicaid Fraud Division is a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, annually certified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to investigate and prosecute health care providers who defraud the state's Medicaid program, MassHealth. The Medicaid Fraud Division also has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute complaints of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of residents in long-term care facilities and of Medicaid patients in any health care setting. Individuals may file a Medicaid/MassHealth fraud complaint or report cases of abuse or neglect of Medicaid patients or long-term care residents by visiting the AGO's website.
The Massachusetts Medicaid Fraud Division receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $6,458,176 for federal fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $2,152,724 for FY 2026, is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
* Office of the Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
***
Original text here: https://www.mass.gov/news/ags-office-secures-275000-settlement-from-suboxone-clinic-for-submitting-false-claims-to-masshealth
AG Nessel Warns of Investment Scams on Meta Platforms
LANSING, Michigan, April 9 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
* * *
AG Nessel Warns of Investment Scams on Meta Platforms
*
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is issuing an investor alert to warn residents about the prevalence of fraudulent investment schemes proliferating across Meta platforms, including on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Scammers are increasingly using deceptive advertisements and "deepfake" technology to lure investors into high-stakes scams to defraud them of their savings. These scams include "pump and dump" scams,
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, April 9 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
* * *
AG Nessel Warns of Investment Scams on Meta Platforms
*
LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is issuing an investor alert to warn residents about the prevalence of fraudulent investment schemes proliferating across Meta platforms, including on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Scammers are increasingly using deceptive advertisements and "deepfake" technology to lure investors into high-stakes scams to defraud them of their savings. These scams include "pump and dump" scams,confidence scams, and fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes that take advantage of victims to extract as much money from them as possible.
Attorney General Nessel is providing tips for Michiganders to protect themselves from scams and urging every investor to carefully scrutinize social media investment advertisements before investing. Most reputable broker-dealers and investment advisors do not post specific investment advice on social media platforms. Attorney General Nessel encourages anyone who may have been a victim of these types of scams to report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
"Social media has become a breeding ground for fraudulent ads, making it hard to separate legitimate investments from sophisticated scams," said Attorney General Nessel. "By recognizing the red flags and staying vigilant, you can help protect your personal information and savings."
How Pump and Dump Social Media Scams Work
In a pump and dump scheme, victims are lured into investment groups and convinced to invest in cryptocurrencies or low-priced stocks. The scammers advertise, hype, and recommend buying the stocks or cryptocurrencies, increasing their prices. Then they sell when the price is high, while the victims lose their money. Pump and dump schemes typically follow a three-step process:
1. The Bait : Scam ads appear on Facebook or Instagram featuring recognizable figures (PNG), like Cathie Wood (Ark Invest), Joe Kernen (CNBC), or Kevin O'Leary (Shark Tank), without their permission. Other ads may feature less well-known financial advisors, also without their permission, especially those trusted by members of specific cultural or geographic communities. The ads often promise exclusive "insider" memberships or "guaranteed" high-return investment tips.
2. The Shift : Once a user clicks the ad, they are pressured to move the conversation to WhatsApp or other encrypted platforms, such as Telegram. This allows scammers to operate away from platform moderators.
3. The Hook : Victims are funneled into group chats where they receive so-called "expert" advice and false testimonials. Eventually, victims are coerced into buying stocks or crypto, with the initial fraudulent tips sometimes appearing successful and generating a profit. Victims are convinced to invest large amounts in a stock or cryptocurrency, which then goes up in price and which the scammers sell off at this inflated price, leaving the victims to lose their money once the price plummets.
How Confidence Scams Work
In confidence scams, fraudsters develop trusting relationships with their victims and convince them to "invest" using fake investment platforms that drain the victims' money. These scams can also follow a three-step process:
1. The Bait : Scammers post ads suggesting that investors can make money using an investment platform or strategy. These ads may also feature well-known figures or institutions. Once the user clicks on an ad, they may be asked to enter their contact information. Other times, they will be taken to a different website that further describes the investment strategy or platform - often resembling a news article - where they are then asked to enter their contact information.
2. The Investment : After the user provides their account information, they will be contacted by scammers who develop a relationship of trust and confidence with the victim. The scammers may offer to "teach" the user how to trade on a fake investing platform or even connect the victim with their own personal advisor who will speak with the user on a daily basis. The scammers will then guide their victims to a professional-looking website or app (which is often a clone of a real trading platform). Often victims will be asked to invest a small amount at first and the app will show the investment making significant profits over the course of a few days. To prove it's "real," the scammers may let the victim withdraw some of the initial profit back to their bank account. Believing the platform is legitimate and having developed a close connection with the scammers who are providing the investment advice, victims will, over time, invest large amounts of money and may even take out loans from friends or family to fund their investments.
3. The Scam : Once the victims seek to withdraw their profits, they are told they need to pay some kind of fee, such as a commission or tax, to do so. Even if the victims pay, the scammers will find other excuses not to return the money. Once the victim stops paying these fees or making more investments, the scammers will disappear along with the victim's investment.
Protect Yourself from Social Media Investment Scams
Investors should be very cautious before responding to any social media investment ads and making any related investments. Remember that social media sites may be hosting billions of scam ads each day, and reputable broker-dealers and investment advisors (especially individuals) typically do not advertise their investment strategies on social media. Attorney General Nessel recommends residents stay vigilant to avoid falling victim to predatory investment schemes on social media and take the following steps to protect themselves:
1\. Identify "Red Flags"
When browsing social media sites like Facebook and Instagram and interacting with supposed investment professionals online, be highly skeptical if you see:
* Promises of guaranteed returns : No legitimate investment is "risk-free" or offers a guaranteed return.
* High-pressure tactics : Warnings that you will "miss out" or demands to invest immediately.
* Celebrity endorsements : Scammers often use AI-generated images or videos of famous entrepreneurs to lure victims.
* Cryptocurrency demands : Requests to use crypto ATMs or to send crypto to private wallets or platforms should be regarded with suspicion.
* Requests to accept other people's money : Scammers will sometimes ask victims to accept other people's funds in their bank accounts and convert them to cryptocurrency.
* Platform hopping : Requests to move the conversation from Facebook to encrypted apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
2\. Verify Before You Invest
Never take an ad or salesperson's word at face value. Remember that a salesperson's job is to be persuasive and paint a rosy picture. Conduct your own independent research:
* Verify credentials : Use FINRA's BrokerCheck to confirm if a professional is registered. But be wary. Scammers may often impersonate people, firms, and their credentials.
* Search for reviews : Search the name of the company or salesperson alongside words like "scam" or "complaint."
* Check email addresses : Verify that you are communicating with a real email associated with a real advisor's company. Remember that scammers may register email addresses that are slightly different or may change one letter from a legitimate domain.
* Look for spelling errors : Given that many scams originate overseas, ads and other communications may have spelling mistakes.
* Consult with a trusted advisor : Before investing, consult a trusted legal professional or financial advisor who can advise you if the investment is proper.
* Follow warnings from current advisors : If your bank or investment/financial advisor cautions you about your new investment, take time to further investigate the new "investment opportunity" and do not simply dismiss their concerns.
3\. Beware of "Deepfakes" and AI
Scam ads now use sophisticated technology to mimic real people in videos or livestreams.
* Spot the fake : If a video seems slightly "off" or the audio doesn't perfectly match the lip movements, it may be a deepfake.
* Reverse search : If you see a video of a famous figure, search for the original footage online. Fraudsters often repurpose old interviews.
* Beware of financial advice : Famous figures do not usually provide financial advice online or advertise investments in obscure cryptocurrency trading platforms.
4\. Protect Your Identity and Network
Your Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp profiles are gold mines for scammers looking to build a relationship with you.
* Lock down your profile : Change your settings to keep your friends list, photos, and posts private. This prevents scammers from seeing who you know.
* Verify friends : If a friend suddenly messages you about a "great investment opportunity," contact them outside of Facebook via phone call or text to ensure their account hasn't been hacked.
* Never share credentials : Do not provide login info, Social Security numbers, or financial details to anyone you met online.
* Do not provide strangers access to your devices : Do not allow anyone you do not know well to access your computer or mobile phone remotely to help you with your existing investment account or open a new account. Often times, scammers will pose as a representative of the company you have an account with and ask for a password or answers to the security questions and - within seconds - empty everything in your account.
Michigan residents should keep in mind that most fraudulent transactions, especially those involving cryptocurrency, are irreversible. If you choose to invest, always keep a paper trail and archive all communications. After you lose your money, you may hear from a purported asset recovery specialist or attorney who promises to retrieve the money you lost for a fee. Be very wary of these people, as some of them may have no interest or qualifications to help you and are just taking advantage of your situation to make money - and may even be scammers themselves.
More information on investment scams can be found on the Department of Attorney General's Consumer Protection page, the FTC website, and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website.
Attorney General Nessel encourages anyone who may have been a victim of these types of scams to report the incident to her office. To report a scam, file a consumer complaint, or get additional information, contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General:
Consumer Protection Team
P.O. Box 30213
Lansing, MI 48909
517-335-7599
Fax: 517-241-3771
Toll-free: 877-765-8388
Online complaint form
***
Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/04/09/ag-nessel-warns-of-investment-scams-on-meta-platforms
AG Campbell, Secretary Galvin Applaud Court's Dismissal of DOJ's Lawsuit Demanding Massachusetts Voter Data
BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 9 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release:
* * *
AG Campbell, Secretary Galvin Applaud Court's Dismissal of DOJ's Lawsuit Demanding Massachusetts Voter Data
*
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin today celebrated the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts's decision to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)'s lawsuit against Secretary Galvin for refusing to turn over an unredacted voter list containing every Massachusetts voter's
... Show Full Article
BOSTON, Massachusetts, April 9 -- Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell issued the following news release:
* * *
AG Campbell, Secretary Galvin Applaud Court's Dismissal of DOJ's Lawsuit Demanding Massachusetts Voter Data
*
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin today celebrated the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts's decision to dismiss the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)'s lawsuit against Secretary Galvin for refusing to turn over an unredacted voter list containing every Massachusetts voter'sprivate information.
"Today's ruling is a decisive win for Massachusetts voters and the rule of law," said AG Campbell. "The privacy of our voters is not up for negotiation, and I will continue to defend the integrity and security of our elections from the Trump Administration's cruel and harmful agenda."
"I am very pleased that the court has recognized that the Department of Justice's demand for unfettered access to personal voter data was completely without any stated basis or purpose. Private voter information should never be the subject of a fishing expedition," said Secretary Galvin.
In July and August 2025, the DOJ sent letters to Secretary Galvin requesting the Commonwealth's voter registration list, including personal identifying information about every Massachusetts voter. The request did not cite any concern regarding Massachusetts's compliance with federal voting laws, nor did it include a basis for why it needed that information. To protect the privacy of Massachusetts voters in accordance with the law, Secretary Galvin did not produce the records being sought.
The DOJ filed a lawsuit against Secretary Galvin in December 2025 attempting to compel the Secretary to turn over voters' private information. Today, a federal judge dismissed the DOJ's lawsuit, holding that the federal government failed to meet the legal requirements for obtaining the state's voter registration list, including providing a reasonable explanation for the basis and purpose of its demand.
* Office of the Attorney General
The Attorney General is the chief lawyer and law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
***
Original text here: https://www.mass.gov/news/ag-campbell-secretary-galvin-applaud-courts-dismissal-of-dojs-lawsuit-demanding-massachusetts-voter-data
West Virginia Urging the DOJ to Protect Federal Attorneys From Political Groups Who are Weaponizing Bar Complaints
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, April 8 -- The West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on April 7, 2026:
* * *
West Virginia urging the DOJ to protect federal attorneys from political groups who are weaponizing bar complaints
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of fourteen state Attorneys General in fighting back against organized, politically motivated campaigns designed to intimidate Department of Justice attorneys and cripple the federal government's ability to enforce the law.
The coalition submitted formal comments to Acting
... Show Full Article
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, April 8 -- The West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on April 7, 2026:
* * *
West Virginia urging the DOJ to protect federal attorneys from political groups who are weaponizing bar complaints
West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a coalition of fourteen state Attorneys General in fighting back against organized, politically motivated campaigns designed to intimidate Department of Justice attorneys and cripple the federal government's ability to enforce the law.
The coalition submitted formal comments to ActingAttorney General Todd Blanche supporting a proposed rule that would establish a federal review process for bar complaints filed against Department of Justice attorneys.
"DOJ attorneys must be able to continue to enforce our Nation's laws without fear of politically motivated bar complaints or ethics investigations being filed against them. We have seen an increase in these unfounded complaints. " McCuskey said. "This lawfare has gone unchecked for too long and must stop. Yet our state bar and others have perversely labeled this modest effort to restore order as an attack on the law. "
There has been a surge in organized bar complaint campaigns by advocacy groups targeting DOJ attorneys for simply carrying out their official duties. Radical groups have collectively filed more than 90 complaints to shame attorneys and deter legal talent from working for the Department. It's a problem on both sides of the aisle, with former Attorneys General Eric Holder and Bill Barr, special counsel Jack Smith, and Justice Brett Kavanaugh, all facing politically tinged complaints.
The coalition supports the proposed rule that would give DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) the right of first review over bar complaints filed against Department attorneys before state bar proceedings move forward. The rule will not eliminate state bar oversight. State bars would retain full authority to investigate and impose sanctions once OPR completes its review, and OPR would be required to disclose its findings.
Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas joined the West Virginia-led letter.
Read the letter here (https://ago.wv.gov/media/37699/download?inline).
* * *
INFODOC: https://ago.wv.gov/media/37699/download?inline
* * *
Original text here: https://ago.wv.gov/article/west-virginia-urging-doj-protect-federal-attorneys-political-groups-who-are-weaponizing-bar
Torch Electronics Agrees To Suspend All Operations To Avoid Prosecution
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, April 8 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release:
* * *
Torch Electronics Agrees To Suspend All Operations To Avoid Prosecution
*
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that Torch Electronics, the largest provider of illegal gambling devices in the State of Missouri, has agreed to suspend all operations, effective Friday, April 10, 2026. This action follows an ongoing joint criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District
... Show Full Article
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, April 8 -- Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway issued the following news release:
* * *
Torch Electronics Agrees To Suspend All Operations To Avoid Prosecution
*
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced that Torch Electronics, the largest provider of illegal gambling devices in the State of Missouri, has agreed to suspend all operations, effective Friday, April 10, 2026. This action follows an ongoing joint criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western Districtof Missouri, and the Attorney General's Office.
"I am pleased to announce Torch Electronics has suspended all operations involving illegal gambling devices, effective this Friday, as a result of a coordinated investigation by my office and the U.S. Attorneys. Torch's agreement to proactively halt these operations signals clearly that there has never been a gray market," said Attorney General Hanaway. "While this is a tremendous step forward for Missouri, our office will continue to investigate and seek enforcement action against other operators, manufacturers, and retail stores facilitating this illegal activity."
Torch has notified its customers to stop all operations of these illegal slot machines by Friday, April 10, 2026. The Attorney General's Office and the U.S. Attorneys continue to seek a permanent resolution between all parties.
Missouri's laws are clear: It is illegal to provide access to unregulated machines and games for gambling purposes. This action is a part of Attorney General Hanaway's continuous efforts with local, state, and federal officials to hold businesses accountable for profiting from unlawful activity and creating spaces for lawlessness in our communities.
***
Original text here: https://ago.mo.gov/torch-electronics-agrees-to-suspend-all-operations-to-avoid-prosecution/
State Grand Jury Indicts Woodbridge Police Sergeant in Connection With May 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Woodbridge Township, N.J.
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 8 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 7, 2026:
* * *
State Grand Jury Indicts Woodbridge Police Sergeant in Connection with May 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Woodbridge Township, N.J.
A state grand jury, acting under the law that requires the presentation of fatal police encounters to a grand jury, has returned an indictment against a Woodbridge Police sergeant in connection with a May 29, 2025 fatal shooting in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, which led to the death of Aamir Allen, 35, of Carteret,
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 8 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 7, 2026:
* * *
State Grand Jury Indicts Woodbridge Police Sergeant in Connection with May 2025 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Woodbridge Township, N.J.
A state grand jury, acting under the law that requires the presentation of fatal police encounters to a grand jury, has returned an indictment against a Woodbridge Police sergeant in connection with a May 29, 2025 fatal shooting in Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County, which led to the death of Aamir Allen, 35, of Carteret,New Jersey.
After hearing testimony and evidence, the grand jury finished deliberating on April 6, 2026, and voted to indict Woodbridge Police Sergeant Marco Bruno, who fired a series of shots that struck and killed Mr. Allen, with aggravated manslaughter (1st degree).
"Every day, law enforcement bears the burden and responsibility of keeping the people of New Jersey safe," said Attorney General Jennifer Davenport. "My office is fully committed to prosecuting this charge and ensuring that law enforcement only uses deadly force when lawful and necessary."
Mr. Allen's death was investigated by the Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), and the case was presented to New Jersey residents serving on the grand jury in accordance with the Independent Prosecutor Directive of 2019. The directive was issued following the enactment of a state law requiring the Attorney General's Office to investigate deaths that occur during encounters with law enforcement.
The investigation included witness interviews, a review of 911 calls, video footage captured by police body-worn cameras and a private security camera, photographs, radio transmissions, and autopsy results from a medical examiner. Evidence, including videos of the shooting, was presented to the grand jury. Following deliberations, the grand jury voted to file an aggravated manslaughter charge against the defendant.
According to the investigation, on May 29, 2025, shortly after 1:00 a.m., officers from the Woodbridge Police Department were dispatched to a residence on East Tappen Street in the Port Reading section of Woodbridge Township, in response to multiple 911 calls. The callers reported an assault with injuries during an incident involving a male, later identified as Aamir Allen, who had a baseball bat.
Responding officers encountered Mr. Allen, who was carrying a bat while walking in the roadway. Officers repeatedly ordered Mr. Allen to drop the bat. Mr. Allen did not drop the bat and began walking away as officers followed him from a distance. Mr. Allen stopped walking outside a closed convenience store in Port Reading, where he stood holding the bat as officers continued ordering him to drop the bat.
The defendant responded to the scene shortly after a transmission was broadcast over the police radio reporting that Mr. Allen had struck occupied cars with the bat. The defendant exited the vehicle and, after issuing several commands for Mr. Allen to drop the bat, fired six shots from his service weapon. Mr. Allen was wounded and was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick at approximately 1:40 a.m. He was pronounced deceased at 9:21 a.m.
Today, video footage from body worn cameras, surveillance cameras, as well as 911 calls related to this fatal incident, are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General's Office in 2019 to promote the fair, impartial, and transparent investigation of fatal police encounters. Investigators provided representatives of Mr. Allen's family an opportunity to review the recordings before their public release.
The recordings are available here: https://njoag.box.com/s/9l1izbzat13ixf9ylje8i8ux9yes8vq4
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available at this time.
N.J.S.A. 52:17B-107(a)(2) requires the Attorney General's Office to conduct investigations of a person's death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer's official capacity or while the decedent is in custody. It requires that all such investigations be presented to a grand jury to determine if the evidence supports the return of an indictment against the officer or officers involved.
First-degree aggravated manslaughter carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years in New Jersey state prison, subject to the "No Early Release Act," and a fine of up to $200,000.
The charge contained in the indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/state-grand-jury-indicts-woodbridge-police-sergeant-in-connection-with-may-2025-fatal-police-involved-shooting-in-woodbridge-township-n-j/
Okla. A.G. Drummond Acts to Defend Illinois River Watershed Settlements
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, April 8 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on April 7, 2026:
* * *
Drummond acts to defend Illinois River Watershed settlements
Attorney General Gentner Drummond today called on a federal court to quickly accept the hard-fought settlements totaling more than $31 million to clean up poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. Every day without a ruling, he warned, risks unraveling agreements that took months of good-faith negotiations to reach.
The proposed settlements with Cargill, George's, Peterson Farms and
... Show Full Article
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, April 8 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on April 7, 2026:
* * *
Drummond acts to defend Illinois River Watershed settlements
Attorney General Gentner Drummond today called on a federal court to quickly accept the hard-fought settlements totaling more than $31 million to clean up poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. Every day without a ruling, he warned, risks unraveling agreements that took months of good-faith negotiations to reach.
The proposed settlements with Cargill, George's, Peterson Farms andTyson are uncontested, but the district court has yet to approve them or issue any ruling. Without such a ruling, the terms of the settlement are not in effect yet.
"Cargill, George's, Peterson Farms and Tyson did the right thing. They came to the table and worked hard to reach agreements that will deliver real remediation to the Illinois River Watershed. The court owes it to the people of Oklahoma to approve these agreements without delay," said Drummond. "The door to a fair and reasonable settlement remains open to the hold-out defendants, Simmons and Cal-Maine, as well. Their co-defendants found a path forward. They should too."
To protect the settlements, Drummond filed in two federal courts today. In the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, the State filed a notice urging the court to act on the pending settlements. In the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the State filed an opposition to a motion by the settling defendants that could, if granted broadly, allow Simmons and Cal-Maine to pause their own obligations in the case.
Drummond also put the district court on notice that if the settling defendants' motion results in any relief for Simmons and Cal-Maine, Oklahoma will have no choice but to withdraw all pending settlements entirely. Should that happen, all defendants - including those who negotiated in good faith - would be forced back into full, active litigation.
The State of Oklahoma v. Tyson Foods litigation was originally filed in 2005 to address decades of phosphorus runoff from poultry litter that has polluted the Illinois River Watershed. In December 2025, U.S. District Judge Gregory Frizzell issued a final judgment finding all defendants jointly liable and ordering a 30-year court-supervised remediation program.
Read the notice filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/april/405-cv-00329-GKF-SH%20Notice.pdf)
Read the response filed in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/april/26-5000_Documents.pdf)
* * *
Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/april/drummond-acts-to-defend-illinois-river-watershed-settlements.html
N.J. A.G. Davenport Co-Leads Letter Demanding That Federal Attorneys Adhere to Ethics Standards
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 8 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 7, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Davenport Co-Leads Letter Demanding That Federal Attorneys Adhere to Ethics Standards
Coalition Files Comment Letter Opposing Rule Proposal by Department of Justice That Weakens Misconduct Discipline Process
*
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 22 Attorneys General in filing a comment letter opposing a proposed rule by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that seeks to limit state bar disciplinary proceedings related to
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 8 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 7, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Davenport Co-Leads Letter Demanding That Federal Attorneys Adhere to Ethics Standards
Coalition Files Comment Letter Opposing Rule Proposal by Department of Justice That Weakens Misconduct Discipline Process
*
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 22 Attorneys General in filing a comment letter opposing a proposed rule by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that seeks to limit state bar disciplinary proceedings related toalleged ethical misconduct by DOJ attorneys.
If the proposed rule were adopted, the Justice Department may be able to request that state bar organizations pause any investigation or disciplinary proceeding involving DOJ attorneys. States that decline such a request may be subject to undefined retaliatory actions by the federal government.
"Attorneys must be held to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct, not because of where they work, but because of what they represent," said Attorney General Davenport. "The Department of Justice is an institution built on the tradition that those who wield the power of the law must do so with unwavering integrity, independence, and fidelity to the truth. This proposed rule seeks to shamefully lower that standard. In New Jersey, we work every day to build public trust in the legal system."
The licensing and regulation of lawyers has been handled by the States since the Nation's founding. Federal law specifies that DOJ attorneys are subject to State laws and rules in the same manner as other attorneys in that State. This comment letter seeks to hold DOJ attorneys to that basic standard and pushes back on DOJ's attempts to circumvent that process.
Attorney General Davenport was joined in co-leading the letter by the attorneys general of Minnesota, the District of Columbia, and Colorado. The letter was also joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington.
View Comment Letter (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Final_CommentLetterDOJDiscipline.pdf)
* * *
Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-co-leads-letter-demanding-that-federal-attorneys-adhere-to-ethics-standards/
Attorney General Brenna Bird Announces Lawsuit against Meta for Harming Iowa Children
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 8 -- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Brenna Bird Announces Lawsuit against Meta for Harming Iowa Children
*
DES MOINES -Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she has filed a lawsuit against Meta and several of its subsidiaries, including Instagram and Facebook, for breaking Iowa's consumer protection laws. The Attorney General's Office alleges Instagram represents itself as being safe for Iowa's children and teenagers, yet there is explicit content readily available. The state also asserts that Meta designed
... Show Full Article
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 8 -- Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued the following news release:
* * *
Attorney General Brenna Bird Announces Lawsuit against Meta for Harming Iowa Children
*
DES MOINES -Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she has filed a lawsuit against Meta and several of its subsidiaries, including Instagram and Facebook, for breaking Iowa's consumer protection laws. The Attorney General's Office alleges Instagram represents itself as being safe for Iowa's children and teenagers, yet there is explicit content readily available. The state also asserts that Meta designedInstagram to be addictive, particularly to Iowa youth, and that this addiction harms Iowa children by substantially affecting their health.
In addition to Instagram's addictive nature and design, Instagram tells consumers that it contains only "infrequent" or "mild" content related to things like drug use, sexual content or nudity, and other mature themes, leading Instagram to rate itself as 12+, 13+ or T for Teen (i.e., suitable for teens 17 and under). However, the lawsuit asserts Instagram allows rampant "sexual content and nudity, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use and references, and mature/suggestive themes on the Instagram platform, including readily accessible hardcore pornography." The platform has also been found in third-party investigations to promote or allow child pornography, sexual extortion of teenagers, and open dealing of opioids and other drugs.
The Attorney General's lawsuit seeks a preliminary and a permanent injunction to force Instagram to change or stop altogether its deceptive and unfair statements about the frequency and severity of drug and alcohol content, sexual content, nudity, mature/suggestive themes, and profanity on the Instagram platform; its inaccurate age-ratings in the App Store and other online marketplaces; and its deceptive public assurances in the Instagram Community Guidelines and elsewhere.
"Instagram says their content is safe for kids. It's not. And Instagram was designed to get our children addicted to it, causing harm to their mental health and physical safety," said Attorney General Bird. "What's worse, they know it is harming children, but deliberately continue to hide the truth from parents, saying it is safe for kids to use. As a prosecutor and a mom, I am committed to protecting the rights of all Iowans. Social media companies must comply with our state laws and prioritize the safety and privacy of all Iowans, especially our most vulnerable."
The lawsuit was filed in Polk County District Court.
Read the full petition here (https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/media/cms/4_7D631E55C33E2.pdf).
***
Original text here: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/newsroom/attorney-general-brenna-bird-announces-lawsuit-against-meta-for-harming-iowa-children/
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Issues Statement on Warren Petersen's Referral to the U.S. Attorney
PHOENIX, Arizona, April 8 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following statement on April 7, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Issues Statement on Warren Petersen's Referral to the US Attorney
Attorney General Mayes today issued the following statement in response to Warren Petersen's referral to the US Attorney:
Despite multiple court challenges, investigations and audits that all showed the 2020 election in Arizona was conducted fairly, transparently and securely, Warren Petersen inexplicably remains an election denier six years later.
After wasting taxpayer dollars on the
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, April 8 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following statement on April 7, 2026:
* * *
Attorney General Mayes Issues Statement on Warren Petersen's Referral to the US Attorney
Attorney General Mayes today issued the following statement in response to Warren Petersen's referral to the US Attorney:
Despite multiple court challenges, investigations and audits that all showed the 2020 election in Arizona was conducted fairly, transparently and securely, Warren Petersen inexplicably remains an election denier six years later.
After wasting taxpayer dollars on thelaughable Cyber Ninja's audit, Petersen again wasted Arizona's taxpayer dollar on a legal opinion that painstakingly tries to justify his failure to uphold Arizona's constitutional right to protect its voters' privacy. This is yet another example of Petersen desperately seeking favor from a president who cannot accept that he lost his re-election in 2020 fair and square. Arizonans will not be fooled.
Unable to win in court in their efforts to seize the private data of Arizona voters, the Trump administration is attempting an end run around the rulings against them in these cases by weaponizing the federal grand jury process. It won't work.
But make no mistake -- this is not about 2020. This is about laying the groundwork to deny the results of the 2026 election if they don't go their way. No matter what Warren Petersen or the Trump administration have to say, I took an oath to uphold our Constitution and defend our elections and I will not be deterred from doing so.
* * *
Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-issues-statement-warren-petersens-referral-us-attorney
