Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
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S.D. A.G. Jackley's Bills on AI Pornography And Digital Currency Receive Final State Senate Approval
PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 17 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley's Bills on AI Pornography And Digital Currency Receive Final State Senate Approval
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley's two bills that protect citizens from AI-generated pornography and allows for the seizure of cryptocurrency as part of criminal investigations were both unanimously approved by the full State Senate Friday afternoon.
"I appreciate the Senators' support and understanding of how this legislation protects both South Dakotans and
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PIERRE, South Dakota, Jan. 17 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jackley's Bills on AI Pornography And Digital Currency Receive Final State Senate Approval
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley's two bills that protect citizens from AI-generated pornography and allows for the seizure of cryptocurrency as part of criminal investigations were both unanimously approved by the full State Senate Friday afternoon.
"I appreciate the Senators' support and understanding of how this legislation protects both South Dakotans andtheir property," said Attorney General Jackley. "I look forward to working with State Representatives when our bills proceed to the House."
Senate Bill 42 prohibits the creation and distribution of digitally fabricated pornographic material of a non-consenting individual.
Senate Bill 43 adds "digital currency" to South Dakota's seizure laws, giving law enforcement the tools to confiscate illicit crypto assets, disrupt criminal networks hiding behind digital secrecy and strengthen protections for South Dakota consumers.
Final action on Senate Bill 41 was delayed so a fiscal note could be attached. The measure would enhance the penalties for ingestion, possession, possession with intent to deliver, and delivery of a controlled substance in a state correctional facility.
Attorney General Jackley has introduced 10 bills during this legislative session. Committee hearings on more of the bills are scheduled for next week.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=2991
N.J. A.G. Platkin, Division on Civil Rights Issue Guidance on Language Discrimination
TRENTON, New Jersey, Jan. 17 -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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AG Platkin, Division on Civil Rights Issue Guidance on Language Discrimination
Guidance Clarifies When Discrimination Based on Language May Violate New Jersey's Landmark Civil Rights Law
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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) today issued guidance explaining how language discrimination can violate the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) when it is tied to one or more protected characteristics under the LAD, such
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TRENTON, New Jersey, Jan. 17 -- New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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AG Platkin, Division on Civil Rights Issue Guidance on Language Discrimination
Guidance Clarifies When Discrimination Based on Language May Violate New Jersey's Landmark Civil Rights Law
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Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) today issued guidance explaining how language discrimination can violate the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) when it is tied to one or more protected characteristics under the LAD, suchas national origin, ancestry, nationality, race, religion, and disability.
New Jersey is one of the most ethnically and racially diverse states in the country. Nearly a quarter of New Jerseyans are foreign-born. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost one-third of New Jersey households speak a language other than English, and about one million New Jersey residents speak English "less than 'very well.'"
Today's guidance explains what language discrimination is and how language discrimination can violate the LAD, and it provides examples illustrating the LAD's application to language discrimination in employment, housing, and places open to the public.
"One of New Jersey's greatest strengths is our diversity. We take extremely seriously our obligation to ensure that no one in our state faces unlawful discrimination - and that includes unlawful discrimination based on the language they speak," said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. "The guidance issued today is an important step towards ensuring that no one in New Jersey faces discrimination because of the language they speak, their accent, or their level of English fluency."
"New Jerseyans from all over the world and those who are more proficient in languages other than English are entitled to the same protections as all of our residents," said DCR Director Yolanda N. Melville. "Today, we're issuing guidance that puts everyone on notice about their responsibility to eliminate language discrimination at work, at home, and in all places open to the public."
As explained in the guidance, language is closely tied to and can serve to identify an individual's national origin, ancestry, nationality, race, religion, or disability. The LAD prohibits both disparate treatment and disparate impact discrimination based on these and other characteristics in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation.
Although language itself is not a protected characteristic under the LAD, language discrimination violates the LAD when it constitutes discrimination based on language-related characteristics that are tied to specific protected classes.
The guidance identifies examples that may violate the law, informing members of the public of their rights and ensuring that covered entities are aware of their obligations. Unlawful discrimination can occur when a covered entity engages in conduct that treats a specific person differently based on a protected characteristic or maintains a policy or practice that treats people differently based on a protected characteristic. For example, a housing provider that rejected an Arabic-speaking applicant based on the assumption they are Muslim could violate the LAD because religion is an LAD-protected characteristic. Similarly, a restaurant that made patrons speaking languages other than English pay more than English-speaking patrons could violate the LAD by discriminating based on national origin.
Employers, housing providers, and places open to the public like schools, businesses, and government agencies are required to take reasonable action to eliminate bias-based harassment of which they are aware or should have been aware. For instance, an employer that fails to take action to stop harassment despite being aware of an employee using a derogatory term to refer to another employee's accent could violate the LAD.
As the agency charged with enforcing the LAD, DCR is responsible for ensuring that New Jersey residents do not face unlawful language discrimination in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation. DCR is committed to ensuring that its services are available to all persons, regardless of the language they speak, the country they come from, or their immigration or citizenship status. The guidance and a companion explainer video are available in Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), English, Gujarati, Haitian Creole, Korean, and Spanish.
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The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) is the state agency responsible for preventing and eliminating discrimination and bias-based harassment in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation. DCR enforces the LAD, the New Jersey Family Leave Act, and the Fair Chance in Housing Act.
To find out more information or to file a complaint, visit www.njcivilrights.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-platkin-division-on-civil-rights-issue-guidance-on-language-discrimination/
N.J. A.G. Division of Gaming Enforcement Announces December 2025 Total Gaming Revenue Results
TRENTON, New Jersey, Jan. 17 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Division of Gaming Enforcement issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Announces December 2025 Total Gaming Revenue Results
ATLANTIC CITY -- Today the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced the December 2025 total gaming revenue results.
Casino Win:
Casino Win for the nine casino hotels was $216.1 million for December 2025, reflecting a decrease of 6.7% when compared to $231.8 million reported for December 2024. For the year, Casino Win for the nine casino
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TRENTON, New Jersey, Jan. 17 -- The New Jersey Attorney General Division of Gaming Enforcement issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Announces December 2025 Total Gaming Revenue Results
ATLANTIC CITY -- Today the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced the December 2025 total gaming revenue results.
Casino Win:
Casino Win for the nine casino hotels was $216.1 million for December 2025, reflecting a decrease of 6.7% when compared to $231.8 million reported for December 2024. For the year, Casino Win for the nine casinoproperties was $2.89 billion for 2025, reflecting an increase of 2.7% compared to 2024. The Monthly Gross Revenue Reports are posted 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 $273.2 million for December 2025, reflecting growth of 19.8% when compared to $228.0 million reported for December 2024. For the year, Internet Gaming Win was $2.91 billion for 2025, reflecting growth of 22.0% when compared to $2.39 billion for 2024. The Monthly Internet Gaming Gross Revenue Reports are posted 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 $116.3 million for December 2025, reflecting an increase of 85.0% when compared to $62.8 million reported for December 2024. Sports Wagering Gross Revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $1.18 billion for 2025, reflecting an increase of 7.5% when compared to $1.09 billion reported in 2024. The Monthly Sports Wagering Tax Returns are posted 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 $605.6 million for December 2025, reflecting 15.9% growth when compared to $522.6 million reported for December 2024. For the year, Total Gaming Revenue was $6.98 billion for 2025, reflecting 10.8% growth when compared to $6.30 billion reported for 2024. Total Gross Revenue Taxes were $89.9 million for December 2025 and $884.1 million for the year of 2025.
Click here (https://www.nj.gov/oag/ge/docs/Financials/PressRelease2025/December2025.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-december-2025-total-gaming-revenue-results/
N.D. A.G. WRIGLEY ISSUES CEASE & DESIST ORDER AGAINST PRAIRIE ABORTION FUND
BISMARCK, North Dakota, Jan. 17 -- North Dakota Attorney Drew Wrigley issued the following news on Jan. 16, 2026:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL WRIGLEY ISSUES CEASE & DESIST ORDER AGAINST PRAIRIE ABORTION FUND
Attorney General Drew Wrigley today issued a Cease & Desist Order against Prairie Abortion Fund, a North Dakota nonprofit corporation located in Fargo, who is actively promoting and facilitating the unlawful sale of abortion pills in North Dakota.
The Cease & Desist Order alleges Prairie Abortion Fund violated the North Dakota Consumer Fraud Law, N.D.C.C. ch. 51-15, by promoting and facilitating
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BISMARCK, North Dakota, Jan. 17 -- North Dakota Attorney Drew Wrigley issued the following news on Jan. 16, 2026:
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ATTORNEY GENERAL WRIGLEY ISSUES CEASE & DESIST ORDER AGAINST PRAIRIE ABORTION FUND
Attorney General Drew Wrigley today issued a Cease & Desist Order against Prairie Abortion Fund, a North Dakota nonprofit corporation located in Fargo, who is actively promoting and facilitating the unlawful sale of abortion pills in North Dakota.
The Cease & Desist Order alleges Prairie Abortion Fund violated the North Dakota Consumer Fraud Law, N.D.C.C. ch. 51-15, by promoting and facilitatingthe unlawful sale of counterfeit, unapproved, untested, misbranded, or misrepresented products, the unlawful sale of products without a required prescription, and the unlawful sale and unsupervised use of products required to be administered under the supervision of a physician. "These actions pose a significant health risk to pregnant women and facilitate the violation of North Dakota's healthcare requirements, in part, by taking doctors out of the equation." said Attorney General Wrigley.
Prairie Abortion Fund operates a website that promotes and links to other websites that sell unapproved and misbranded abortion pills without a prescription and for unsupervised use in violation of law. "As a North Dakota nonprofit corporation, by referring and actively linking to websites that unlawfully sells products, Prairie Abortion Fund lends credibility and trustworthiness to unlawful websites that otherwise would look much more suspicious." Wrigley stated.
The websites promoted by Prairie Abortion Fund sell drugs that are not FDA approved and that purport to contain ingredients that require both a prescription and a supervising physician. "Our BCI was able to purchase abortion pills from websites promoted by Prairie Abortion Fund without providing any health information and without providing any verification of identity or age," Wrigley stated. The Cease & Desist Order requires Prairie Abortion Fund to immediately cease and desist promoting, linking, or referring individuals to organizations or websites that are engaged in unlawful acts or practices.
A copy of the Cease & Desist Order is attached (https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Prairie-Abortion-Fund-CD-color.pdf).
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Original text here: https://attorneygeneral.nd.gov/attorney-general-wrigley-issues-cease-desist-order-against-prairie-abortion-fund/
Md. A.G. Office: Body-Worn Camera Footage From Fatal Police-Involved Collision in Calvert County Released
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 17 -- The Maryland Office of the Attorney General issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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Body-Worn Camera Footage from Fatal Police-Involved Collision in Calvert County Released
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General today released the body-worn camera footage from the fatal police-involved collision involving the Calvert County Sheriff's Office that occurred on Friday, December 12, 2025, in Prince Frederick, Calvert County, Maryland.
The decedent was previously identified as 58-year-old Servon
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 17 -- The Maryland Office of the Attorney General issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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Body-Worn Camera Footage from Fatal Police-Involved Collision in Calvert County Released
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General today released the body-worn camera footage from the fatal police-involved collision involving the Calvert County Sheriff's Office that occurred on Friday, December 12, 2025, in Prince Frederick, Calvert County, Maryland.
The decedent was previously identified as 58-year-old ServonGatewood of Lusby, Maryland.
The IID continues to investigate the circumstances of the fatal police-involved collision. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576-7070 or by email at IID@oag.maryland.gov
To read the original news release, click here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/Pages/Independent-Investigations-Division-Investigating-Fatal-Police-Involved-Collision-in-Calvert-County.aspx
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Body-Worn-Camera-Footage-from-Fatal-Police-Involved-Collision-in-Calvert-County-Released.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown and Secretary of State Lee Shut Down Sham Youth Charities
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 17 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown and Secretary of State Lee Shut Down Sham Youth Charities
Organizations Recruited Children to Sell Candy to Fund Nonexistent Scholarships and Youth Activities
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Secretary of State Susan C. Lee today announced that two deceptive nonprofits, Maryland Youth Club of America, Inc. (Maryland Youth Club) and Virginia Youth Club of America, Inc. (Virginia Youth Club), will permanently shut down and that their
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 17 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown and Secretary of State Lee Shut Down Sham Youth Charities
Organizations Recruited Children to Sell Candy to Fund Nonexistent Scholarships and Youth Activities
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Secretary of State Susan C. Lee today announced that two deceptive nonprofits, Maryland Youth Club of America, Inc. (Maryland Youth Club) and Virginia Youth Club of America, Inc. (Virginia Youth Club), will permanently shut down and that theirfounder, Jule Huston, as well as other officers and directors, are banned from operating a charity or soliciting charitable contributions in Maryland. As a result of settlements finalized in Virginia and the District of Columbia, Huston is also barred from forming a charity or soliciting charitable contributions and from serving as an officer or director of any charitable organization in DC and Virginia.
The settlements resolve a joint investigation by the Attorneys General of Maryland, DC, and Virginia, and the Maryland Secretary of State. The Agencies allege that Maryland Youth Club and Virginia Youth Club recruited school-age children to sell candy door-to-door, telling people that the proceeds would fund scholarships and enrichment activities for at-risk kids, when, in fact, the adults running the programs illegally used the funds for their own personal benefit.
Maryland Youth Club and Virginia Youth Club operated in a similar manner and with a similar purpose as DMV Futures, Inc., a Maryland organization that was ordered to stop soliciting by Secretary Lee in May of last year. DMV Futures, Inc. lost their appeal to overturn the cease and desist order in October 2025 and is also permanently banned from soliciting charitable contributions in Maryland.
"These adults exploited children twice--first by sending them door-to-door as salespeople, then by misusing the money donors thought would help at-risk youth," said Attorney General Brown. "We've shut down these sham operations and banned the people behind them from ever running a charity in Maryland again."
"Our office strongly opposes deceptive charitable practices and will take decisive action to ensure the integrity and health of the nonprofit sector and to protect generous Marylanders," said Secretary of State, Susan C. Lee. "We are committed to keeping bad actors out of the nonprofit world and upholding Maryland's charity laws."
Maryland Youth Club is a tax-exempt nonprofit incorporated in Maryland that was registered to solicit charitable contributions in Maryland. Virginia Youth Club is a tax-exempt nonprofit incorporated in Virginia also registered to solicit charitable contributions in Maryland. Jule Huston, a New York resident, served as president of both organizations.
Both Maryland Youth Club and Virginia Youth Club claimed that their purpose was to support youth programs and activities intended to "rescue teens from challenging environments before they become statistics" through scholarships, trips, enrichment activities, and other benefits. The organizations recruited middle-school-aged and high-school-aged children and then drove them to various neighborhoods around Maryland, Virginia, and DC to sell candy door-to-door. The children were instructed to tell buyers that their charitable purchases would support charitable activities benefiting youth.
The Maryland Attorney General's Office opened an investigation with authorities from Washington, DC and Virginia, as well as the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State. The joint investigation found evidence to support the following allegations:
* Maryland Youth Club and Virginia Youth Club misrepresented their charitable programs to the public. Maryland Youth Club and Virginia Youth Club collected over $857,000 in gross sales by representing to the public that the soliciting children would have part-time jobs, earn cash every week, get free trips, activities, and cool prizes. The organizations, however, were unable to show that children were consistently paid for their work soliciting charitable contributions, or that they received many of the trips, scholarships, or other benefits they were promised.
* The organizations misled consumers by falsely claiming that purchases would support at-risk youth.
* Maryland Youth Club's president, Jule Huston, illegally diverted charitable funds for his own personal benefit and the benefit of other private individuals. Between 2022 and 2023, Huston transferred a total of more than $23,000 from Maryland Youth Club's bank account to his personal CashApp account, to his mother, to a New York corporation he created, and to an officer of Virginia Youth Club. Maryland Youth Club also incurred significant expenses in New York, where Huston resides, including from local gas stations, Petco, AutoZone, Walmart, and other businesses. A large amount of the funds collected by Maryland Youth Club and Virginia Youth Club remain unaccounted for.
* Huston intentionally and illegally destroyed nonprofit financial records. He destroyed financial books and other records for Maryland Youth Club for 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement resolving allegations that Maryland Youth Club, Virginia Youth Club, and Huston committed multiple violations of the Maryland Solicitations Act:
* Maryland Youth Club and Virginia Youth Club will be permanently dissolved. The organizations stopped doing business during the multistate investigation. Now, Huston must take all necessary steps to formally dissolve Maryland Youth Club in Maryland and Virginia Youth Club in Virginia and must provide documentation of dissolution to Maryland.
* Huston and other directors and officers of Maryland Youth Club and Virginia Youth Club are permanently banned from soliciting charitable contributions or operating a nonprofit in Maryland. Huston is also specifically banned from serving as an officer, director, or in any role related to the collection or handling of charitable contributions, and from engaging in any charitable solicitation in Maryland, including by serving as a consultant or advisor to a nonprofit.
* Maryland Youth Club, Virginia Youth Club, and Huston will make a $5,000 payment that will be redirected to area nonprofits that serve at-risk youth.
The settlement agreement is available here (https://oag.maryland.gov/News/Documents/pdfs/MYC%20VYC%20-%20Fully%20Executed%20Assurance%2001162026.pdf).
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-and-Secretary-of-State-Lee-Shut-Down-Sham-Youth-Charities.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown Opposes Trump Administration's Proposal to Remove Anti-Discrimination Protections for Individuals With Gender Dysphoria
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 17 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Opposes Trump Administration's Proposal to Remove Anti-Discrimination Protections for Individuals with Gender Dysphoria
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general in submitting a comment letter on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) proposed rule that would reverse HHS regulations concerning the definition of "disability" under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 17 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Jan. 16, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Opposes Trump Administration's Proposal to Remove Anti-Discrimination Protections for Individuals with Gender Dysphoria
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today led a coalition of 18 other attorneys general in submitting a comment letter on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) proposed rule that would reverse HHS regulations concerning the definition of "disability" under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 toexclude gender dysphoria. In the letter, Attorney General Brown and the coalition argue that the proposed rule provides insufficient time for the public to submit comments, contradicts extensive legal precedent, and harms states' abilities to protect their communities from discrimination.
On December 19, 2025, HHS issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for a rule that would modify the regulation implementing section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, an act that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The proposed rule would amend the definition of "disability" to exclude "gender dysphoria not resulting from physical impairments." HHS only provided a 30-day window, which fell over the Christmas, New Year, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holidays, for the public to submit comments on the proposed rule.
In today's letter, Attorney General Brown and the coalition urge HHS to rescind the proposed rule and retain the existing definition of disability in the regulations. Attorney General Brown and the coalition argue that:
* HHS should extend the comment period from 30 days to 60 days to provide adequate opportunity for affected stakeholders to submit feedback;
* The proposed rule relies on an interpretation of medical classifications that contradicts extensive legal precedent from an appellate and several district courts; and
* The proposed rule harms the ability of states to protect individuals in their communities who are transgender or have disabilities.
Joining Attorney General Brown in filing today's letter are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Opposes-Trump-Administration%e2%80%99s-Proposal-to-Remove-Anti-Discrimination-Protections-for-Individuals-wi.aspx
