Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
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Va. A.G. Jones Joins Bipartisan Coalition in Support of Federal Rule to Increase Transparency in Prescription Drug Pricing and Lower Costs
RICHMOND, Virginia, April 17 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on April 16, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Joins Bipartisan Coalition in Support of Federal Rule to Increase Transparency in Prescription Drug Pricing and Lower Costs
Comment letter supports stronger disclosure requirements for PBMs, seeks clarity that proposed rule doesn't preempt state PBM transparency laws
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Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter supporting a proposed U.S. Department of Labor (Department)
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RICHMOND, Virginia, April 17 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on April 16, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Joins Bipartisan Coalition in Support of Federal Rule to Increase Transparency in Prescription Drug Pricing and Lower Costs
Comment letter supports stronger disclosure requirements for PBMs, seeks clarity that proposed rule doesn't preempt state PBM transparency laws
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Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter supporting a proposed U.S. Department of Labor (Department)rule that would require greater transparency from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that service employer-funded health plans covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The new rule would require PBMs to disclose twice a year how they generate revenue and would give employers the right to audit them. PBMs have also long sought to avoid state regulation by claiming federal preemption under ERISA. The attorneys general urge the Department to clarify that the proposed rule does not preempt state PBM transparency laws.
Today, the top three PBMs manage approximately 80% of prescription drug claims. Due to the power imbalance held by PBMs and the negative effects of such power on drug pricing, all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico have enacted laws to rein them in. Common provisions include limits on patient out-of-pocket costs, bans on "gag clauses" that prevent pharmacists from telling patients they could save money by paying for their prescription out of pocket instead of using insurance, and protections against unfair treatment of independent pharmacies.
"We're living in a time when Virginians especially are pinching every single penny to afford basic necessities like medications, food, and fuel. They deserve to have transparency from pharmacy benefit managers, and they deserve to pay reasonable prices for their life-saving medications," Attorney General Jones said. "It is beyond time to reform and improve this system and keep costs low for local pharmacies so that higher prices are not passed on to consumers."
Further, in the comment letter, the attorneys general ask the Department to clarify that it supports working with them to enforce the rule. According to the coalition, there should be mention that nothing in the rule is intended to prevent the Department from referring matters to state attorneys general, requesting their investigative or enforcement assistance, or coordinating with them when the Department discovers violations of state law.
Created in the late 1960s to process prescription drug claims, PBMs now play a far broader and more powerful role in the health care system by managing prescription drug benefits for health insurers. This includes, among other things, negotiating rebates and reimbursements with drug manufacturers and determining which drugs are covered and at what cost. Approximately 136 million Americans receive health coverage through an employer -- either their own job or a family member's -- and the proposed rule responds to concerns that employers often lack visibility into how PBMs are making money or why drug costs change.
In submitting today's comment letter, Attorney General Jones joins the attorneys general of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3005-attorney-general-jay-jones-joins-bipartisan-coalition-in-support-of-federal-rule-to-increase-transparency-in-prescription-drug-pricing-and-lower-costs
N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement Announces March 2026 Total Gaming Revenue Results
TRENTON, New Jersey, April 17 -- The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement issued the following news release on April 16, 2026:
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New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Announces March 2026 Total Gaming Revenue Results
ATLANTIC CITY -- Today the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced the March 2026 total gaming revenue results.
Casino Win:
Casino Win for the nine casino hotels was $236.7 million for March 2026, reflecting an increase of 2.5% when compared to $230.9 million reported for March 2025. Year-to-date Casino Win was $652.9 million through March 2026, reflecting
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TRENTON, New Jersey, April 17 -- The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement issued the following news release on April 16, 2026:
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New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Announces March 2026 Total Gaming Revenue Results
ATLANTIC CITY -- Today the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced the March 2026 total gaming revenue results.
Casino Win:
Casino Win for the nine casino hotels was $236.7 million for March 2026, reflecting an increase of 2.5% when compared to $230.9 million reported for March 2025. Year-to-date Casino Win was $652.9 million through March 2026, reflectingan increase of 1.3% compared to the prior year-to-date period. The Monthly Gross Revenue Reports are posted online at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-gaming-enforcement-home/financial-and-statistical-information/monthly-gross-revenue-reports/
Internet Gaming Win:
Internet Gaming Win for the casinos and their partners was $272.1 million for March 2026, reflecting growth of 11.6% when compared to $243.9 million reported for March 2025. Year-to-date Internet Gaming Win was $782.8 million through March 2026, reflecting growth of 16.3% when compared to $673.3 million for the prior year-to-date period. The Monthly Internet Gaming Gross Revenue Reports are posted online at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-gaming-enforcement-home/financial-and-statistical-information/monthly-internet-gross-revenue-reports/
Sports Wagering Gross Revenue:
Sports Wagering Gross Revenue for the casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $87.6 million for March 2026, reflecting an increase of 22.8% when compared to $71.3 million reported for March 2025. Year-to-date Sports Wagering Gross Revenue was $268.4 million through March 2026, reflecting an increase of 0.5% when compared to $267.1 million reported for the prior year-to-date period. The Monthly Sports Wagering Tax Returns are posted online at https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-gaming-enforcement-home/financial-and-statistical-information/monthly-sports-wagering-revenue-reports/
Total Gaming Revenue:
Total Gaming Revenue for casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $596.4 million for March 2026, reflecting 9.2% growth when compared to $546.1 million reported for March 2025. Year-to-date Total Gaming Revenue was $1.70 billion through March 2026, reflecting 7.5% growth when compared to $1.58 billion reported for the prior year-to-date period. Total Gross Revenue Taxes were $84.7 million for March 2026 and $246.1 million for year-to-date through March 2026.
Click here (https://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/docs/Financials/PressRelease2026/March2026.pdf) for the DGE press release for additional information.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/new-jersey-division-of-gaming-enforcement-announces-march-2026-total-gaming-revenue-results/
Detroit Woman Sentenced for Organizing Ulta Thefts Across Metro Detroit
LANSING, Michigan, April 17 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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Detroit Woman Sentenced for Organizing Ulta Thefts Across Metro Detroit
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LANSING - Today, Chearia Broughton, 38, of Detroit, was sentenced by Judge Wanda Evans in the 3 rd Circuit Court in Wayne County to 1 year of incarceration for organizing a high-volume theft ring targeting Ulta Beauty stores in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Broughton, who pled guilty in March to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, was also ordered
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LANSING, Michigan, April 17 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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Detroit Woman Sentenced for Organizing Ulta Thefts Across Metro Detroit
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LANSING - Today, Chearia Broughton, 38, of Detroit, was sentenced by Judge Wanda Evans in the 3 rd Circuit Court in Wayne County to 1 year of incarceration for organizing a high-volume theft ring targeting Ulta Beauty stores in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Broughton, who pled guilty in March to one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, was also orderedto pay $29,698 in restitution to Ulta Beauty.
Broughton organized a rash of "push-out" thefts perpetrated on Ulta Beauty retail locations throughout metro Detroit on more than 13 occasions in October and November 2023. The small, organized group was observed entering the storefront, grabbing as much high-value merchandise as they could carry or load into a shopping basket, and simply walking or running back out the front door into an awaiting getaway vehicle. Total losses to retailers connected to these thefts exceed $30,000. Broughton would then sell the stolen merchandise on Facebook Marketplace. She was charged by the Department of Attorney General in November 2025.
The investigation was a coordinated collaboration between the FORCE Team, corporate investigators, and state and local law enforcement, including the Michigan State Police and Grosse Pointe, Novi, Canton, Troy, Allen Park, and Birmingham police departments.
"When dismantling theft rings, we must investigate and prosecute organizers behind the scenes who profit from these crimes, and I am proud of my FORCE Team and our retail partners and law enforcement officers who helped stop this enterprise in its tracks and secure this conviction," said Attorney General Nessel at the time the defendant pled. "We remain committed to ensuring that those who lead these dangerous operations face the full weight of the law."
The FORCE Team was established in January 2023 by the Attorney General to target criminal organizations that steal products from retailers to repackage and sell for a profit. Two assistant attorneys general serve the unit full time, working with special agents within the Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police detectives to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The FORCE team also partners with the FBI's Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force and the Postal Inspection Service. This is a first-in-the-nation unit, unique in the 50 states as being the first such unit with embedded, dedicated staff from the Department of Attorney General.
The FORCE Team is dedicated to working collaboratively with retailers and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime. FORCE is an acronym that stands for Focused Organized Retail Crime Enforcement. Recent corporate partners on investigations have included Sam's Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid, Amazon, and Lowe's.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/04/17/detroit-woman-sentenced-for-organizing-ulta-thefts-across-metro-detroit
Attorney General Schwalb Secures Money Back for Dozens of DC Janitors Exploited in Wage Theft Scheme
WASHINGTON, April 17 -- District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Schwalb Secures Money Back for Dozens of DC Janitors Exploited in Wage Theft Scheme
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Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that Jan-Pro Franchising International, Inc. (JPI) and Nabicorp Enterprises Inc. (Jan-Pro of Washington) will pay a total of $279,000 to janitorial workers and the District to resolve a workers' rights lawsuit filed by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
OAG sued both JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington alleging that they
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WASHINGTON, April 17 -- District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Schwalb Secures Money Back for Dozens of DC Janitors Exploited in Wage Theft Scheme
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Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that Jan-Pro Franchising International, Inc. (JPI) and Nabicorp Enterprises Inc. (Jan-Pro of Washington) will pay a total of $279,000 to janitorial workers and the District to resolve a workers' rights lawsuit filed by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
OAG sued both JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington alleging that theyengaged in a worker misclassification scheme that promised janitors independence and entrepreneurial success, but instead treated them as employees without providing them the benefits that employees are entitled to under DC law. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington will pay restitution to workers and penalties to the District. They also must make significant changes to their operations in DC, including giving workers more control over their own work and freeing them from onerous noncompete agreements that prevented them from pursuing janitorial opportunities outside of the Jan-Pro system.
"Jan-Pro of Washington promised workers the opportunity to start their own businesses, when in reality, it treated them as strictly-controlled employees without any of the benefits or protections of employment," said Attorney General Schwalb. "This settlement requires the company to change the way it does business in DC and empowers workers to control their work. It also sends a strong message that companies cannot exploit workers to boost profits and illegally undercut their competitors in any form, including through deceptive franchising schemes."
JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington operate as a multilevel franchising system. Jan-Pro of Washington is a regional franchise of JPI, which sells regional janitorial franchises across the country. Jan-Pro of Washington recruits janitors to buy franchises within its region, advertising the arrangement as an opportunity to build a business under the Jan-Pro brand with a guaranteed stream of cleaning contracts. Many of the janitors who became franchisees, however, simply did their own work, often with no other employees. JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington also controlled many of the terms and conditions of that work. Nevertheless, despite treating the janitors as employees, JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington systematically classified them as independent contractors by requiring them to become franchisees.
OAG sued JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington in 2022, alleging that these classifications were improper and that District law required the janitors to be classified as employees because JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington effectively controlled their work. Additionally, OAG alleged that Jan-Pro of Washington made illegal deductions from janitors' wages, including by imposing fees that effectively made them pay for their own workers' compensation insurance, which is illegal under District law.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington will:
* Pay $279,000, including:
* $54,800 in restitution to dozens of janitors who had DC cleaning contracts from 2019 through the present.
* $224,200 in penalties to the District and for settlement administration costs.
* Change their operations so that janitors, as sub-franchisees, are true independent contractors with much more control over their own work. These changes will include:
* Allowing janitors to participate in contract negotiations with their customers, including negotiating their hours of work, start times, end times, and pricing.
* Prohibiting Jan-Pro of Washington from charging fees to janitors if they reject a cleaning contract in most cases.
* Allowing janitors to choose where to purchase or lease their cleaning equipment and supplies.
* Limiting when Jan-Pro of Washington can inspect cleaning locations. Previously, Jan-Pro of Washington exercised control and supervision over janitors' work through a system of frequent inspections and fines.
* Stop using restrictive noncompete agreements that prevent janitors from performing any cleaning other than the work JPI and Jan-Pro of Washington assign them. These provisions previously prevented janitors from pursuing cleaning work outside of the Jan-Pro system.
The settlement agreement is available here.
This matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Ryan Wilson; Assistant Attorneys General Norman Anderson, Beth Feldstein, Cara Reichard, Tascha Shahriari-Parsa, and Anabel Butler; Investigator Kenithia Alston; Paralegal Diego Pereira; Assistant Chief Dennis Corkery; and Section Chief Graham Lake.
What is Worker Misclassification?
Misclassification is a form of payroll fraud that reduces labor costs for companies at the expense of workers. When companies improperly classify their employees as independent contractors, the workers are deprived of rights and benefits they are legally entitled to as employees, including minimum wage, overtime compensation, and paid sick leave. By engaging in illegal misclassification, companies also shift their own tax burden on to the workers they improperly classify as contractors and deprive the District of tax revenue, unemployment insurance premiums, and workers' compensation contributions. Additionally, companies that violate the law and misclassify workers undermine fair competition and undercut law-abiding competitors.
OAG's Efforts to Protect Workers
OAG's Workers' Rights and Antifraud Section is dedicated to fighting wage theft, protecting District workers, and ensuring that businesses in the District compete on a level playing field. Since gaining independent wage theft enforcement authority in 2015, OAG has secured over $39 million - including more than $23 million since AG Schwalb became Attorney General in January 2023 -by investigating and bringing enforcement actions against employers who violate District law. OAG's wage theft enforcement efforts have focused on industries with high populations of vulnerable workers, such as construction, restaurants and hospitality, healthcare, and the gig economy. Learn more about OAG's efforts to uphold workers' rights over the last year in OAG's 2025 Labor Day Report.
How to Report Wage and Hour Violations
Workers who believe that their rights have been violated, or that they have experienced wage theft or other wage and hour violations, can contact OAG by calling (202) 724-7730 or by emailing workers@dc.gov or trabajadores@dc.gov.
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Original text here: https://oag.dc.gov/release/attorney-general-schwalb-secures-money-back-dozens
Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians About Hidden Risks of Deferred-Interest Medical Credit Cards
SACRAMENTO, California, April 17 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians About Hidden Risks of Deferred-Interest Medical Credit Cards
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OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert warning Californians about deferred-interest medical credit cards. Frequently marketed as "zero interest" financing options for dental and medical care, deferred-interest medical credit cards allow consumers to delay interest charges for a limited promotional period, typically for 6 or 12 months. However,
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SACRAMENTO, California, April 17 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Warns Californians About Hidden Risks of Deferred-Interest Medical Credit Cards
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OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert warning Californians about deferred-interest medical credit cards. Frequently marketed as "zero interest" financing options for dental and medical care, deferred-interest medical credit cards allow consumers to delay interest charges for a limited promotional period, typically for 6 or 12 months. However,if a consumer misses a payment or does not repay the entire loan by the end of the promotional period, interest can be charged retroactively from the date of purchase, resulting in large and unexpected bills.
"Deferred-interest medical credit cards can sound like a good deal -service today, pay for it later with zero interest -but that's not always how it plays out," said Attorney General Bonta. "Even one missed payment or not fully paying off your bill on time can mean interest gets added from the very beginning. That can quickly drive up the cost of care and leave people with debt they didn't see coming. These cards are not the only financing option available, and consumers should carefully consider alternatives before signing up."
In the consumer alert, Attorney General Bonta cautions that consumers should not allow a dentist or doctor to pressure them into signing up for a medical credit card they do not fully understand. Specifically, consumers are encouraged to take the following steps:
* If an agreement is not in a language you understand, do not sign it. Ask a trusted interpreter to explain the terms of any medical credit product offered to you.
* Shop around for other lender options, including your local credit union.
* Do not apply for medical credit cards while you are undergoing treatment, and do not allow yourself to be rushed into a decision.
Consumers are also advised to take the following steps:
* If you have insurance, ask for only services that your insurance will cover.
* Consult additional dental or medical providers to compare costs and treatment options.
* Ask for a payment plan directly with your dentist or doctor instead of a "third party" lender. With medical credit cards, you are borrowing money from a third party, usually a bank, not from your doctor or dentist.
* Before applying for a medical credit card or loan for hospital care, ask the hospital about its charity care and discounted payment policies, and whether you qualify. Charity care helps Californians who qualify and cannot afford to pay their hospital bills.
* See if you qualify for the Medi-Cal Dental Program, which provides free or low-cost dental services to eligible California residents, including checkups, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and dentures.
* Consider low-cost dental care programs at California dental schools.
* Before applying for a medical credit card, it may be a good idea to talk to your family, community, or faith leaders to see if they can help you pay for your care.
Under California law, only the consumer may apply for a "deferred-interest" medical credit card, and the application must be completed directly with the lender. State law prohibits dentists, doctors, or their staff from filling out or submitting applications on a patient's behalf. Consumers who believe they have been misled or improperly pressured can file a complaint with the California Department of Justice at oag.ca.gov/report.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-warns-californians-about-hidden-risks-deferred-interest
AG Nessel Reissues Consumer Alert on Bitcoin ATM Scams
LANSING, Michigan, April 17 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Reissues Consumer Alert on Bitcoin ATM Scams
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LANSING - As part of Money Smart Week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing a consumer alert warning residents of scammers using Bitcoin ATMs to defraud unsuspecting victims. Because money sent through Bitcoin ATMs is nearly impossible to recover and these machines lack oversight and regulation, they have become an attractive option for criminals engaged in fraud and money laundering.
"If you receive a call from
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LANSING, Michigan, April 17 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Reissues Consumer Alert on Bitcoin ATM Scams
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LANSING - As part of Money Smart Week, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing a consumer alert warning residents of scammers using Bitcoin ATMs to defraud unsuspecting victims. Because money sent through Bitcoin ATMs is nearly impossible to recover and these machines lack oversight and regulation, they have become an attractive option for criminals engaged in fraud and money laundering.
"If you receive a call fromsomeone claiming to be from an agency or company who demands you use a Bitcoin ATM to pay a fine or bill, it is most certainly a scam," said Attorney General Nessel. "Before taking any action, hang up, breathe, and verify any claims."
A common Bitcoin ATM scam targeting older adults involves a fraudulent message or phone call. The call might be from someone claiming to be with Apple, Google, or another well-known company, or even law enforcement. The scammer tells the victim that their financial accounts have been compromised. The call recipient is told they need to take immediate action to prevent unauthorized transactions on their account. If the scammer is pretending to be from a law enforcement agency, they may even threaten the victim with criminal prosecution or jail time if the victim doesn't pay a fine right away.
Victims are then instructed to withdraw large amounts of cash from their bank accounts. They are told to deposit the funds into a Bitcoin ATM. The cash is inserted and converted into Bitcoin. The victim is directed to scan and send a receipt or QR code to the scammer. The moment that transaction is completed, the money is gone -permanently. Traditional bank transfers and credit card transactions have fraud prevention measures. These measures provide customer protection or financial institution safeguards to stop or reverse the transfer. That is not the case with Bitcoin ATM transactions.
Bitcoin ATMs lack oversight and regulation. For this reason, they are widely used for scamming and money laundering. Some consumers may attempt to use them for legitimate transactions. However, they often come with very high fees. The fees make them an inefficient and costly way to buy cryptocurrency. It's safer and cheaper to convert cash to cryptocurrency through a licensed and regulated online exchange.
Without regulation, victims of Bitcoin ATM scams have no meaningful consumer protections. Financial institutions have fraud prevention departments that monitor transactions. Banks can file suspicious activity reports (SARs) to investigate potential fraud. Unfortunately, Bitcoin ATMs operate outside these safeguards. They allow scammers to steal money quickly and anonymously.
To avoid becoming a victim of a Bitcoin ATM scam, remember these key points:
* No legitimate company or government agency will ever ask you to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM. If someone makes such a request, it's a scam.
* Beware of urgent requests. Scammers create a sense of urgency to prevent victims from thinking critically about the request.
* Do not trust caller ID. Fraudsters can spoof phone numbers to make it appear as though they are calling from a trusted source.
* Never download unknown software or grant remote access to your devices. This can allow scammers to take control of your personal information.
* Talk to your bank before making large withdrawals. If you're instructed to move money in an unusual way, seek advice first.
* If you believe you have been targeted by a scam, report it immediately. Scams can be reported to the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team and local law enforcement.
Money Smart Week promotes financial literacy and is observed until April 21. To help residents avoid falling victim to scams, Attorney General Nessel will be reissuing alerts throughout Money Smart Week on the Department of Attorney General's dedicated consumer protection social media account, Michigan Consumer Protection (@MIConsumerWatch). Residents can follow @MIConsumerWatch on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/04/17/ag-nessel-reissues-consumer-alert-on-bitcoin-atm-scams
AG Nessel Files Appeal of MPSC Approval of DTE's Saline Data Center Contracts
LANSING, Michigan, April 17 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Files Appeal of MPSC Approval of DTE's Saline Data Center Contracts
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a claim of appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals challenging the Michigan Public Service Commission's "conditional approval" of two special contracts to service a 1.4 gigawatt hyperscale AI data center in Washtenaw County. The Commission approved those contracts on December 18 th, 2025, denying the Attorney General's request to hold a contested case over the
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LANSING, Michigan, April 17 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Files Appeal of MPSC Approval of DTE's Saline Data Center Contracts
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Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a claim of appeal in the Michigan Court of Appeals challenging the Michigan Public Service Commission's "conditional approval" of two special contracts to service a 1.4 gigawatt hyperscale AI data center in Washtenaw County. The Commission approved those contracts on December 18 th, 2025, denying the Attorney General's request to hold a contested case over thecontracts, relying on a critically flawed interpretation of a narrow exemption afforded under MCL 460.6a(3). The Attorney General's appeal will seek to invalidate the Commission's unlawful ex parte approval of these contracts between DTE and Green Chile Ventures, LLC and remand the matter back before the Commission for the commencement of a contested case hearing.
"I've sought a contested case review of these data center contracts since they were first filed in October, and the law requires one," said Attorney General Nessel. "The Commission ignored our request. My office petitioned for rehearing, specifically challenging their application of ex parte process, and the Commission again ignored our plea. So now our only choice, to protect the state and utility customers from the worst hazards and liabilities these contracts pose, is to challenge the Commission's unlawful approval of these secret data center contracts in the courts.
"It is our hope that the Michigan Court of Appeals will agree, and that the Commission's ex parte approval of these contracts will be voided by the Court."
MCL 460.6a(3) authorizes the Commission to approve, without hearing, only an "alteration or amendment in rates or rate schedules applied for by a public utility that will not result in an increase in the cost of service to its customers[...]." DTE has plainly stated that the application is not an alteration or amendment to rates or rate schedules (PDF), as is required for this narrow exemption. Further, it has never been publicly verified that these contracts will not entail an increase in the cost of service to ratepayers.
"This appeal is not just about this case, but every future data center case that comes before the Commission," added Nessel. "Our utility companies are preparing to bring aboard massive new data centers in the years to come. On these first, precedential contracts, we must have clarity from the Court, and hold the MPSC accountable to the law."
Last month, the Commission unanimously rejected Attorney General Nessel's critical efforts to examine the massive energy contracts between DTE and Green Chile Ventures, LLC, denying the Attorney General's motion to reopen (PDF) and her separate petition for rehearing (PDF) in case U-21990, wherein the Commission conducted a secret review of the heavily-redacted contracts with significant consequences for Michigan utility customers.
The Commission additionally denied, in March, the Attorney General's request for a contested case proceeding to review six heavily redacted contracts proposed by DTE for three battery storage facilities throughout the state meant to support the data center project.
The MPSC has repeatedly denied every request from the Attorney General to hold a contested case hearing, which would allow her office and other consumer and environmental advocacy organizations to:
* Review the still heavily redacted special contracts,
* Verify DTE's unproven claims that servicing this customer will not cause an increase in electric rates for its existing customers, and
* Verify adequate ratepayer protections such as collateral and exit fee terms to protect DTE and its customers if the data center fails to purchase the full projected amount of electricity, leaves the state before the full length of the contracts runs, or goes bankrupt.
Claims of appeal filed by the Attorney General today can be viewed here (PDF) and here (PDF).
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/04/17/ag-nessel-files-appeal-of-mpsc-approval-of-dtes-saline-data-center-contracts
