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RICHMOND, Virginia, June 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on June 9, 2026:

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Attorney General Jay Jones Announces New Tools to Combat Notario Fraud

AG Jones shares how new law will keep Virginians safe from fraud

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Starting July 1, 2026 the Office of the Attorney General will have additional tools to combat notario fraud, a scam that targets Spanish-speaking communities. Notario fraud happens when someone falsely holds themselves out as a lawyer or authorized legal representative, often claiming to provide immigration legal services, putting ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, June 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on June 9, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jay Jones Announces New Tools to Combat Notario Fraud AG Jones shares how new law will keep Virginians safe from fraud - Starting July 1, 2026 the Office of the Attorney General will have additional tools to combat notario fraud, a scam that targets Spanish-speaking communities. Notario fraud happens when someone falsely holds themselves out as a lawyer or authorized legal representative, often claiming to provide immigration legal services, puttingalready vulnerable Virginians at risk of exploitation or misinformation.

"Every Virginian deserves transparency and qualified assistance when they navigate the legal process. Unfortunately, Virginians have trusted notarios to act in roles they are not qualified to serve in, resulting in consumers being taken advantage of and left in the legal lurch," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "Starting in July, my office will have new authority to take on notario fraud, which has proven detrimental to consumers, and keep our communities safe from bad actors."

The term "notario" can mean trained legal professional in many Latin American countries. Notaries public are often mistaken for notarios. In Virginia, a notary's powers are limited to specific tasks such as administering oaths and authenticating signatures. They are not authorized to provide legal services or advice.

"Virginians seeking immigration help deserve qualified guidance, not exploitation by individuals falsely advertising legal services they are neither trained nor authorized to provide. I have seen far too many families targeted by this kind of deception," said Delegate Jackie Glass. "This update to Virginia law gives the Office of the Attorney General stronger tools to investigate, respond, and stop these violations before more harm is done. Every Virginian deserves protection, in every language, in every community."

The consequences of working with unlicensed notarios can be devastating for unsuspecting consumers who may be charged exorbitant fees for services not lawfully provided. Notarios have filed fraudulent paperwork, missed deadlines, and facilitated poor immigration-related outcomes.

Since 2014, it has been illegal for a notary public to use the term "notario" or similar non-English terms that imply that they are licensed to practice law, unless they are actually licensed to practice law in Virginia. Starting July 1, the OAG will have the authority to issue civil investigative demands to identify and go after notario fraud. The new law also increases the civil penalty for offenders by five times and authorizes the Attorney General to obtain an injunction, recover consumer restitution, and seek payment of attorneys' fees and costs.

The OAG is grateful for the leadership of Delegate Jackie Glass in ensuring consumers are protected from this type of fraudulent activity and scam.

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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3036-attorney-general-jay-jones-announces-new-tools-to-combat-notario-fraud

Statement From A.G. Brown on Maryland's Full Recovery of COVID-Era Relief Funding Owed to Its Schools

BALTIMORE, Maryland, June 10 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following statement on June 9, 2026:

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Statement from Attorney General Brown on Maryland's Full Recovery of COVID-Era Relief Funding Owed to Its Schools

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today issued the following statement after the Maryland State Department of Education received the final $87 million owed to Maryland schools from the federal Education Stabilization Fund, completing the full recovery of approximately $188 million in COVID-era relief funding that the federal administration had tried to ... Show Full Article

R.I. A.G. Neronha Offers Guidance to Those Affected by UnitedHealthcare and Brown University Health's Health Insurance Contract Negotiation

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, June 10 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on June 9, 2026:

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Attorney General Neronha offers guidance to those affected by UnitedHealthcare and Brown University Health's health insurance contract negotiation

Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced updates to the Office's website for consumers of UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage health insurance plan. Recently, Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare have publicly announced that, absent a breakthrough in contract negotiations, Brown University ... Show Full Article PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, June 10 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on June 9, 2026: * * * Attorney General Neronha offers guidance to those affected by UnitedHealthcare and Brown University Health's health insurance contract negotiation Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced updates to the Office's website for consumers of UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage health insurance plan. Recently, Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare have publicly announced that, absent a breakthrough in contract negotiations, Brown UniversityHealth physicians will no longer accept UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans as of July 1, 2026.

Unless Brown University Health and UnitedHealthcare reach an agreement, Brown University Health physician offices will be designated "out of network" for individuals who are enrolled in certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans. This announcement follows a similar breakdown in contract negotiations over Brown University Health hospitals in 2025, which led to Brown University Health hospitals being designated out of network with certain UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans.

"Rhode Islanders have every right to be frustrated at a health care system that doesn't work for them," said Attorney General Neronha. "Once again, patients are caught in the middle of a contract dispute they had no role in creating. When negotiations like this break down, the cost, literally and figuratively, is borne by older adults and people with complex medical needs who suddenly must worry about whether they can keep seeing their doctors or afford their care.

We are monitoring this closely to ensure patients have access to the resources they need to maintain access to care. Given this disruption, UnitedHealthcare and Brown University Health need to know that my Office expects them to be responsive to patient requests and to ensure all the continuity of care resources to which patients are entitled are easily accessible. In the meantime, my Office will continue strenuously advocating for a system that prioritizes patients rather than using them as bargaining chips."

The Office's website, complete with frequently asked questions, can be found at www.riag.ri.gov\\medicare-advantage.

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Original text here: https://riag.ri.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-neronha-offers-guidance-those-affected-unitedhealthcare-and-brown

Okla. A.G. Drummond: Medicaid Fraud Investigations Lead to Conviction, Guilty Plea

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, June 10 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on June 9, 2026:

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Medicaid Fraud investigations lead to conviction, guilty plea

Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) secured a conviction this week against a Tennessee counselor and a guilty plea from a Nichols Hills behavioral analyst after investigations of fraud, identity theft and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act.

Janice Cliver-Dudash, a Licensed Professional Counselor who resides in Ocoee, Tenn., billed Oklahoma Medicaid for ... Show Full Article OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, June 10 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on June 9, 2026: * * * Medicaid Fraud investigations lead to conviction, guilty plea Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) secured a conviction this week against a Tennessee counselor and a guilty plea from a Nichols Hills behavioral analyst after investigations of fraud, identity theft and violations of the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. Janice Cliver-Dudash, a Licensed Professional Counselor who resides in Ocoee, Tenn., billed Oklahoma Medicaid forbehavioral therapy services she falsely claimed to have provided to Oklahomans. She was convicted of Medicaid fraud, identity theft and violating the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. The scheme was discovered by MFCU's data mining process.

Cliver-Dudash illegally used Medicaid recipients' identifying information last year to submit fraudulent bills and then received payments from public funds to which she was not entitled. In some instances, she submitted fraudulent bills for services to deceased individuals.

Last week, she was sentenced in Oklahoma County District Court to a seven-year deferred sentence. She also will serve 50 hours of community service, pay $19,322 in restitution to Oklahoma Medicaid and pay fines and investigation costs.

Maria Dianda, a board-certified behavioral analyst from Nichols Hills, pleaded guilty last week to Medicaid fraud and identity theft. Dianda, who owns Advanced Behavioral Solutions, illegally used Medicaid recipients' identifying information to submit fraudulent bills for services not rendered across multiple years. In some instances, Dianda submitted fraudulent bills for services during times when she was out of the country. She received a three-year deferred sentence, must pay $65,907 in restitution to Oklahoma Medicaid and pay fines and investigation costs.

"I appreciate the great work of my Medicaid fraud investigative team to recover these funds for Oklahoma taxpayers," Drummond said. "Our office takes all claims of fraud very seriously and works to hold accountable anyone who takes advantage of the system."

Dudash's investigation was handled by Assistant Attorney General Jessica Hampton and Agent Manny Mendiaz. The unit also coordinated with law enforcement partners in Tennessee on the case, which was part of the department's Operation Sooner Shield this spring. Dianda's investigation was handled by Assistant Attorney General Candace Arnold and Agent Daniel Shcolnik.

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About the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a federal grant award totaling $4,765,464.00 for federal fiscal year (FY) 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,588,483.00 for FY 2026, is funded by the State of Oklahoma. The federal fiscal year 2026 is defined as October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.

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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/june/medicaid-fraud-investigations-lead-to-conviction-guilty-plea.html

Hawaii A.G. Lopez, 19 Co-Signers Issue Letter to Federation Internationale De L'Automobile, Formula 1 Group

HONOLULU, Hawaii, June 10 (TNSletter) -- Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez, with 19 co-signers issued the following letter to Federation Internationale de l'Automobile and Formula 1 Group:

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Here is the text of the letter:

June 8, 2026

Stefano Domenicali, CEO

Formula 1 Group

2 St. James's Market

London, SW1Y 4AH

United Kingdom

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Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President

Federation Internationale de l'Automobile

8 place de la Concorde

75008 Paris

France

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Dear Mr. Domenicali and Mr. Ben Sulayem,

We, the undersigned Attorneys General of 19 states and jurisdictions, write to express ... Show Full Article

Attorney General McCuskey leads 20-state coalition defending religious students' right to state scholarship funds

CHARLESTON, West Virginia, June 10 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release:

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Attorney General McCuskey leads 20-state coalition defending religious students' right to state scholarship funds

West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a 20-state coalition in support of students pursuing degrees that Virginia has deemed too religious to qualify for the state's scholarship programs. The coalition's amicus brief in Johnson v. Fleming argues that those exclusions violate the students' First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. ... Show Full Article CHARLESTON, West Virginia, June 10 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General McCuskey leads 20-state coalition defending religious students' right to state scholarship funds West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey is leading a 20-state coalition in support of students pursuing degrees that Virginia has deemed too religious to qualify for the state's scholarship programs. The coalition's amicus brief in Johnson v. Fleming argues that those exclusions violate the students' First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion.

The plaintiffs are not pursuing degrees solely to lead a religious congregation. Cameron Johnson is pursuing a Pastoral Leadership degree while also considering careers in real estate and nonprofit work. Luke Thomas is studying Music and Worship. Trace Stevens, a member of the Virginia National Guard, is pursuing a religious studies degree to qualify for a commission as a National Guard Chaplain. All three were denied Virginia state scholarship dollars solely because of the religious character of their chosen programs of study, even though the scholarships are available to students in comparable secular programs.

"Students who are called to religious study deserve the same access to state scholarship programs as anyone else. West Virginia will not stand by while other states force students to choose between their faith and a public benefit they have every right to receive," Attorney General McCuskey said.

Virginia has sought to justify its scholarship exclusions by relying on Locke v. Davey, a U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting Washington State to exclude from a scholarship program students who were training to become ministers. The coalition's brief argues that Locke does not apply here: these students are pursuing degrees that open onto a range of career paths, and Virginia's exclusions are arbitrary, funding some religious programs while denying funds to others.

The brief also warns that a ruling for Virginia could harm not only religious students but every state that administers scholarship programs. West Virginia serves religious students and wants to continue doing so without making the arbitrary and constitutionally risky government judgments about which degrees are "too religious" to fund that a Virginia-style regime would require.

The coalition asks the Fourth Circuit to reverse the district court's ruling and hold that Virginia's scholarship exclusions violate the First Amendment.

West Virginia is joined by Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. Each state administers scholarship programs serving hundreds of thousands of students, religious and non-religious students alike.

Read the brief here (https://ago.wv.gov//article/attorney-general-mccuskey-leads-20-state-coalition-defending-religious-students-right-state ).

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Original text here: https://ago.wv.gov//article/attorney-general-mccuskey-leads-20-state-coalition-defending-religious-students-right-state

A.G. Jones Continues Fight for Virginians Amidst Cost Crisis

RICHMOND, Virginia, June 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on June 9, 2026:

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Attorney General Jay Jones Continues Fight for Virginians Amidst Cost Crisis

24-state coalition defends recent court win and appeals procedural ruling over unlawful tariffs

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Attorney General Jay Jones joined 23 other Attorneys General today to defend a major court victory on behalf of Virginians. The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) recently struck down President Trump's latest efforts to unlawfully impose tariffs on products purchased by American consumers and ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, June 10 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on June 9, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jay Jones Continues Fight for Virginians Amidst Cost Crisis 24-state coalition defends recent court win and appeals procedural ruling over unlawful tariffs - Attorney General Jay Jones joined 23 other Attorneys General today to defend a major court victory on behalf of Virginians. The U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) recently struck down President Trump's latest efforts to unlawfully impose tariffs on products purchased by American consumers andbusinesses. The Trump Administration has appealed the court's ruling, so the coalition is back in court fighting for consumers.

"Virginians are quite literally paying the consequences of Donald Trump's illegal actions. Across the Commonwealth, people are worried about how they are going to make ends meet," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "The President continues to act as though he is above the law and beyond the boundaries of executive powers. He isn't. Virginia joined this coalition to protect our communities, our industries, and the rule of law, and my office will keep doing just that."

Earlier this year, the President invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose 10 percent tariffs on most products worldwide. States and private businesses sued, arguing that those tariffs are unlawful. Last month, the CIT agreed, concluding that the President's latest tariffs proclamation "is invalid, and the tariffs imposed on Plaintiffs are unauthorized by law."

The Trump administration is appealing the CIT's ruling and has asked for a pause that would let the tariffs stay in place in the meantime. That would mean ongoing higher costs for consumers and further confusion for small businesses. The states are fighting the Trump administration's request, which is still pending before the Federal Circuit. Today, the states also appealed a procedural part of the CIT's order to make sure they retain the legal standing to keep challenging unlawful tariffs in court.

The case is led by Oregon Attorney General Rayfield, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Also joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3037-attorney-general-jay-jones-continues-fight-for-virginians-amidst-cost-crisis

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