Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
Featured Stories
Va. A.G. Jones Defends Birthright Citizenship at U.S. Supreme Court
RICHMOND, Virginia, Feb. 27 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on Feb. 26, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Defends Birthright Citizenship at U.S. Supreme Court
Multistate Coalition Warns of Devastating Impacts to Children and Families Nationwide
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Delivering on another day one priority, Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a multistate coalition defending birthright citizenship at the U.S. Supreme Court, standing up to President Trump's illegal effort to rewrite the Constitution and overturn federal law.
On his first day in office in 2025, President
... Show Full Article
RICHMOND, Virginia, Feb. 27 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on Feb. 26, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Defends Birthright Citizenship at U.S. Supreme Court
Multistate Coalition Warns of Devastating Impacts to Children and Families Nationwide
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Delivering on another day one priority, Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a multistate coalition defending birthright citizenship at the U.S. Supreme Court, standing up to President Trump's illegal effort to rewrite the Constitution and overturn federal law.
On his first day in office in 2025, PresidentTrump issued an executive order to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to immigrant parents, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Section 1401 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Groups of States immediately filed two lawsuits challenging the Order, one in the Western District of Washington and one in the District of Massachusetts. Both suits were successful, repeatedly obtaining nationwide preliminary injunctions that blocked this Executive Order from ever taking effect.
The Supreme Court is now considering the validity of this Order in the context of a challenge brought by a class of children who would lose citizenship under the order, Barbara v. Trump. Amici, including those submitted by 25 Attorneys General, explain why this Executive Order violates the Citizenship Clause, binding Supreme Court precedent, and the INA, and explain how the Order would impose significant harms on States and their residents.
"Birthright citizenship is a core constitutional right, and a cornerstone of American democracy," Attorney General Jones said. "President Trump's executive order is in direct violation of our Constitution, and I am proud to stand with Attorneys General from across the nation to fight back and protect our citizens."
Birthright citizenship dates back centuries--including to pre-Civil War America. Although the Supreme Court's notorious decision in Dred Scott denied birthright citizenship to the descendants of slaves, the post-Civil War United States adopted the Fourteenth Amendment to protect citizenship for children born in the country. As the amicus brief explains, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld birthright citizenship, regardless of the immigration status of the baby's parents. In addition, Congress codified birthright citizenship into law twice, first in 1940 and then again in 1952.
If allowed to stand, this Executive Order--for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted in 1868--would mean thousands of babies born each year who otherwise would have been citizens will no longer enjoy the privileges and benefits of citizenship.
The children stripped of their citizenship lose their most basic rights and will be forced to live under a threat of deportation. Some children will be stateless, lacking a home country which to return. They will lose eligibility for a wide range of federal services and programs. They will lose their ability to obtain a Social Security number and, as they age, to work lawfully. And they will lose their right to vote, serve on juries, and run for certain offices. Despite the Constitution's guarantee of citizenship, thousands of children will--for the first time--lose their ability to fully and fairly be a part of American society as a citizen with all its benefits and privileges.
In addition to harming hundreds of thousands of residents, the States' filing explains that the order significantly harms the States too. Among other things, States will lose federal funding to programs they administer, such as Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and foster care and adoption assistance programs, which all turn at least in part on the citizenship status of the residents being served. States will also be required--at considerable expense--to immediately begin modifying their operation and administration of benefits programs to account for this change, which will impose significant burdens on multiple agencies that operate programs for the benefit of the States' residents.
Even more alarming, although the order President Trump signed indicates it would only apply to children born after certain date, there is no reason to believe the Trump Administration will stop there if a court sides with its theories. The citizenship of countless Americans could be called into question, including those accorded birthright citizenship decades ago.
The coalition joining today's filing includes New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as San Francisco.
View Amicus Brief (https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-365/399351/20260226112123096_25-365acNewJersey.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/2967-attorney-general-jay-jones-defends-birthright-citizenship-at-u-s-supreme-court
Okla. A.G. Drummond Orders OHCA to Withdraw New Rule
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Feb. 27 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Feb. 25, 2026:
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Drummond orders OHCA to withdraw new rule
Agency sought to add prior authorization for complex tooth extractions
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Attorney General Gentner Drummond has instructed the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to withdraw its proposed rule affecting Oklahoma dentists and SoonerCare members, citing an inherently defective rulemaking process under the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act.
In a letter sent yesterday to OHCA Director Clay Bullard, Drummond noted
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Feb. 27 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on Feb. 25, 2026:
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Drummond orders OHCA to withdraw new rule
Agency sought to add prior authorization for complex tooth extractions
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Attorney General Gentner Drummond has instructed the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to withdraw its proposed rule affecting Oklahoma dentists and SoonerCare members, citing an inherently defective rulemaking process under the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act.
In a letter sent yesterday to OHCA Director Clay Bullard, Drummond notedthat out-of-state, for-profit Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) favored the new rule adding prior authorization requirements for complex tooth extractions because it creates excessive bureaucracy.
"In October 2025, I reminded you that Governor Stitt led the effort to bring out-of-state, for-profit managed care entities into Oklahoma, promising to reduce costs and strengthen preventative care. Clearly, this has been yet another of the Governor's failures," Drummond wrote. "It is no secret to Oklahomans that insurance premiums are increasing across the board, including medical and homeowners, while benefits are decreasing. So, it is no surprise that the dental MCOs are behind a proposal that would create more bureaucracy and red tape. Insurance companies are good at denying claims."
Drummond said the proposed rule is invalid because OHCA staff changed the language of the rule twice after it was published for a public comment period set for Dec. 15, 2025 to Jan. 15, 2026. Additionally, the version ultimately adopted appeared to give little or no weight to the public comments received, raising questions about whether they were considered at all.
"Interested parties and affected entities were likely commenting on the text of the proposed rule as published on Dec. 15," Drummond said. "However, it is clear that the OHCA pulled the rug from those individuals and intended to adopt the rules it and the out-of-state, for-profit MCOs wanted."
Given that the OHCA Board did not meet between Dec. 15 and Jan. 15, Drummond said it is apparent that staff were changing the rules even though the law provides the OHCA Board with the authority to promulgate rules.
Read the Letter (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/february/2.24.26%20Director%20Bullard%20OHCA%20Letter.pdf)
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/february/drummond-orders-ohca-to-withdraw-new-rule.html
Ohio Attorney General Issues 2025 Concealed Carry Report
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 27 -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Issues 2025 Concealed Carry Report
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Attorney General Dave Yost today issued Ohio's annual report on concealed handgun licensing, showing that a total of 77,159 permits were issued in the state in 2025.
According to the statistics reported to the Attorney General's Office, county sheriffs issued 13,876 new licenses and 63,283 renewals. Permit holders who wish to renew their licenses must do so every five years.
On June 13, 2022, changes to the law allowed qualifying Ohioans
... Show Full Article
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 27 -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Issues 2025 Concealed Carry Report
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Attorney General Dave Yost today issued Ohio's annual report on concealed handgun licensing, showing that a total of 77,159 permits were issued in the state in 2025.
According to the statistics reported to the Attorney General's Office, county sheriffs issued 13,876 new licenses and 63,283 renewals. Permit holders who wish to renew their licenses must do so every five years.
On June 13, 2022, changes to the law allowed qualifying Ohioansto carry a concealed handgun without a permit while also preserving the permitting system.
Under Ohio law, county sheriffs are responsible for issuing concealed-carry licenses and renewing them, as well as suspending and revoking licenses. The Ohio Attorney General's Office compiles this annual report, as required by law, about the number of licenses issued each year.
Each sheriff must report concealed handgun license statistics quarterly to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission within the Ohio Attorney General's Office. Ohio county sheriffs began issuing concealed-carry licenses in 2004.
To learn more about Ohio's concealed-carry laws or to view this year's report and other statistics, please visit OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/ConcealedCarry.
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Original text here: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/February-2026/Attorney-General-Issues-2025-Concealed-Carry-Repor
Md. A.G. Brown Defends Birthright Citizenship at Supreme Court of the United States
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Feb. 27 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Feb. 26, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Defends Birthright Citizenship at Supreme Court of the United States
Multistate Coalition Warns of Devastating Impacts to Children Nationwide
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a multistate coalition today defending birthright citizenship at the Supreme Court of the United States, standing up to President Trump's illegal effort to rewrite the Constitution and overturn federal law.
On his first day in office in 2025, President
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Feb. 27 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Feb. 26, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Defends Birthright Citizenship at Supreme Court of the United States
Multistate Coalition Warns of Devastating Impacts to Children Nationwide
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a multistate coalition today defending birthright citizenship at the Supreme Court of the United States, standing up to President Trump's illegal effort to rewrite the Constitution and overturn federal law.
On his first day in office in 2025, PresidentTrump issued an executive order to end birthright citizenship for countless children born in the United States to immigrant parents, in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Section 1401 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Groups of states immediately filed two lawsuits challenging the Order, one in the Western District of Washington and one in the District of Massachusetts. Both suits were successful, repeatedly obtaining nationwide preliminary injunctions that blocked this Executive Order from ever taking effect.
The Supreme Court is now considering the validity of this Order in the context of a challenge brought by a class of children who would lose citizenship under the order, Barbara v. Trump. Amici - including 24 attorneys general - submit today's brief to explain why this Executive Order violates the Citizenship Clause, binding Supreme Court precedent, and the INA, and explain how the Order would impose significant harms on states and their residents.
"For more than 150 years, all children born in the United States - regardless of their parents' immigration status - have been granted citizenship from the second they are born," said Attorney General Brown. "We will not stand by while this Administration attempts to rewrite the Constitution and create chaos for Maryland's immigrant families."
Birthright citizenship dates back centuries - including to pre-Civil War America. Although the Supreme Court's notorious decision in Dred Scott denied birthright citizenship to the descendants of slaves, the post-Civil War United States adopted the Fourteenth Amendment to protect citizenship for children born in the country. As the amicus brief explains, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld birthright citizenship, regardless of the immigration status of the baby's parents. In addition, Congress codified birthright citizenship into law twice, first in 1940 and then again in 1952.
If allowed to stand, this Executive Order - for the first time since the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted in 1868 -would mean thousands of babies born each year who otherwise would have been citizens will no longer enjoy the privileges and benefits of citizenship.
The children stripped of their citizenship lose their most basic rights and will be forced to live under the threat of deportation. Some babies will be stateless, lacking a home country to return to. They will lose eligibility for a wide range of federal services and programs. They will lose their ability to obtain a Social Security number and, as they age, to work lawfully. And they will lose their right to vote, serve on juries, and run for certain offices. Despite the Constitution's guarantee of citizenship, thousands of children will - for the first time - lose their ability to fully and fairly be a part of American society as a citizen with all its benefits and privileges.
In addition to harming hundreds of thousands of residents, the states' filing explains that the order significantly harms the states too. Among other things, states will lose federal funding to programs they administer, such as Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and foster care and adoption assistance programs, which all turn at least in part on the citizenship status of the resident being served. States will also be required - at considerable expense - to immediately begin modifying their operation and administration of benefits programs to account for this change, which will impose significant burdens on multiple agencies that operate programs for the benefit of the states' residents.
Even more alarming, although the order President Trump signed indicates it would only apply to babies born after a certain date, there is no reason to believe the Trump administration will stop there if a court sides with its theories. The citizenship of countless Americans could be called into question, including those accorded birthright citizenship decades ago.
Joining Attorney General Brown in today's filing are the attorneys general of New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin, as well as the city of San Francisco.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Defends-Birthright-Citizenship-at-Supreme-Court-of-the-United-States-.aspx
Lake County Woman Sentenced in $775,000 Medicaid Scheme
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 27 -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following news release:
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Lake County Woman Sentenced in $775,000 Medicaid Scheme
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(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -A Lake County woman was sentenced this morning to jail time and ordered to pay $775,000 in restitution for fraudulently billing Medicaid, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
"She inflated her earnings through brazen fraud, but her scheme burst wide open when our investigators got the case," Yost said. "Cheating taxpayers comes with consequences."
Neesha Haynes, 40, of Eastlake, was sentenced to 90 days in jail
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COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 27 -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued the following news release:
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Lake County Woman Sentenced in $775,000 Medicaid Scheme
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(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -A Lake County woman was sentenced this morning to jail time and ordered to pay $775,000 in restitution for fraudulently billing Medicaid, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
"She inflated her earnings through brazen fraud, but her scheme burst wide open when our investigators got the case," Yost said. "Cheating taxpayers comes with consequences."
Neesha Haynes, 40, of Eastlake, was sentenced to 90 days in jailand five years of community control. She also must pay restitution to the Ohio Department of Medicaid.
Haynes worked as a home-health aide, providing in-home care to 12 Medicaid recipients in the Cleveland area. An investigation by Yost's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit revealed frequent billing for nonexistent services, including dates when clients were hospitalized and "impossible days" in which Haynes billed Medicaid for more than 24 hours of services.
Attorneys with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit prosecuted the case in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.
The Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75% of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $16,553,872 for federal fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25% - totaling $5,517,956 for FY 2026 - is funded by the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dominic Binkley: 614-728-4127
-30-
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Original text here: https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Media/News-Releases/February-2026/Lake-County-Woman-Sentenced-in-$775-000-Medicaid-S
Attorney General Alan Wilson announces residential care employee charged with stealing thousands from vulnerable adult
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Feb. 27 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
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Attorney General Alan Wilson announces residential care employee charged with stealing thousands from vulnerable adult
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(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Dennie Lynn Driver, 49 years old, of Lexington, S.C.
Driver faces the following charges:
* One count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult {SS 43-35-85(D)}
* One count of Breach of Trust with
... Show Full Article
COLUMBIA, South Carolina, Feb. 27 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:
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Attorney General Alan Wilson announces residential care employee charged with stealing thousands from vulnerable adult
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(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that his office's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) has arrested Dennie Lynn Driver, 49 years old, of Lexington, S.C.
Driver faces the following charges:
* One count of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult {SS 43-35-85(D)}
* One count of Breach of Trust withFraudulent Intent, value more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 {SS 16-13-230(A)}
Driver was booked into the Lexington County Detention Center on February 27, 2026.
A joint investigation by South Carolina's Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud (VAMPF) unit and the Lexington County Sheriff's Department concluded that Dennie Driver knowingly and willfully exploited a vulnerable adult. The alleged exploitation took place from May 21, 2025, to August 20, 2025.
According to investigators, Driver-an employee at Rapha Residential Care in Gaston, South Carolina, where the victim resided-intentionally misused the vulnerable adult's funds in an unlawful, unauthorized, and improper way for personal gain or benefit. The victim qualified as a vulnerable adult under South Carolina law during the period of the alleged misconduct.
Rapha Residential Care reported the suspected financial exploitation to law enforcement. Facility staff provided full cooperation throughout the investigation.
South Carolina Offenses and Penalties:
* Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult - Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both.
* Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent, value more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 - Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine at the discretion of the court.
This case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office.
Pursuant to federal regulations, VAMPF has authority over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries in any setting; and the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals residing in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.
Attorney General Wilson stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
The South Carolina Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, dba VAMPF, receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $2,964,287 for federal fiscal year 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $988,096 for FFY 2026, is funded by South Carolina.
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Original text here: https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/attorney-general-alan-wilson-announces-residential-care-employee-charged-with-stealing-thousands-from-vulnerable-adult/
AG Nessel Reaches $100 Million Settlement with Walmart for Deceiving Drivers and Customers Over Delivery
LANSING, Michigan, Feb. 27 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Reaches $100 Million Settlement with Walmart for Deceiving Drivers and Customers Over Delivery
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LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and a bipartisan group of attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached a $100 million multistate settlement with Walmart yesterday over allegations that the company deceived customers and drivers who participated in its Spark Driver program. Walmart will pay at least $890,000 to Michigan drivers in the program because
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, Feb. 27 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Reaches $100 Million Settlement with Walmart for Deceiving Drivers and Customers Over Delivery
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LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and a bipartisan group of attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached a $100 million multistate settlement with Walmart yesterday over allegations that the company deceived customers and drivers who participated in its Spark Driver program. Walmart will pay at least $890,000 to Michigan drivers in the program becauseof the company's alleged actions.
"When businesses take advantage of hard-working residents who struggle for extra income to pay their bills and misrepresent their products to consumers, my office will work to hold them accountable," said Attorney General Nessel. "This settlement ensures that drivers who were swindled out of their tips receive the money they deserve. We will continue to protect workers and consumers from deceptive business practices."
Walmart has run the Spark Driver program since 2018. Customers can order products from Walmart for home delivery, and people can sign up to be drivers on the app. Drivers pick up products from Walmart stores and deliver them to customers, and they use the app to view and select offers to complete deliveries for payment. These offers include an estimate of how much the driver will earn from the delivery, including the base amount Walmart will pay the driver and any pre-tip the customer has selected to pay. Walmart also offers incentive pay if drivers complete deliveries within a specific period of time or in a particular area, complete a certain number of deliveries, or refer a new driver. Almost a million drivers have made 272 million deliveries nationwide through the program.
Yesterday's settlement resolves allegations that Walmart misrepresented pre-tip amounts, base pay, and incentive pay to drivers. While Walmart showed one offer to the driver, they would split or change parts of the order after the driver accepted the offer and, ultimately, the driver received less than the accepted amount. Walmart also failed to pay drivers for completing incentives by not disclosing the full incentive requirements.
Walmart also allegedly deceived customers into thinking that 100 percent of their tip would go to drivers when, in fact, the company didn't always pass on the full tips to the drivers and sometimes kept them entirely.
As part of the $100 million judgment included in the settlement, Walmart will pay or already has paid up to $79 million directly to drivers. In addition, the company is paying a total of $11 million to the states and an additional $10 million to the FTC, which will be used to provide refunds to consumers. Walmart will also have to operate an earnings verification program and submit an annual report to the FTC for the next 10 years to make sure drivers are being paid what they were promised, and the company is prohibited from modifying orders after drivers accept them or misrepresenting how much a driver will earn from an offer.
Attorney General Nessel is joined in reaching this settlement by the FTC, the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin, and the District Attorney of Alameda County, California.
A copy of the proposed settlement is available here (PDF).
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/02/27/ag-nessel-reaches-settlement-with-walmart-for-deceiving-drivers-and-customers-over-delivery