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Va. A.G. Jones Challenges Trump Administration's Gift to Fraudsters and Tax Cheats
RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 28 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jones Challenges Trump Administration's Gift to Fraudsters and Tax Cheats
RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones has joined a coalition in filling a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from gutting a law that helps police and prosecutors catch fraudsters and tax cheats.
The Corporate Transparency Act requires businesses to tell the federal government who actually owns and controls them. That matters because criminals often hide their money in shell companies --
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RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 28 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Jones Challenges Trump Administration's Gift to Fraudsters and Tax Cheats
RICHMOND, Va. -- Attorney General Jones has joined a coalition in filling a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from gutting a law that helps police and prosecutors catch fraudsters and tax cheats.
The Corporate Transparency Act requires businesses to tell the federal government who actually owns and controls them. That matters because criminals often hide their money in shell companies --businesses that exist on paper but don't do much of anything -- so their names never show up. Now the United States Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN, has exempted 99.9% of businesses from the law, making it nearly useless.
"The Trump administration has rendered the Corporate Transparency Act, a bipartisan law that supported the work of law enforcement, toothless," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "Investigators can no longer use the database this law created to hold bad actors accountable. Instead of looking out for consumers, supporting law enforcement, and lifting up lawful business practices, Donald Trump has given white collar criminals a leg up in skirting the justice system. Virginians deserve better."
Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act with bipartisan support in 2021. It created a Treasury database of business owners that law enforcement can use to trace dirty money and hold bad actors accountable.
In August 2026, the Trump administration issued a rule exempting nearly every business from reporting. Then FinCEN went further, announcing it would delete the ownership information already in the database, records that likely include evidence of unsolved crimes. The states argue that would break multiple federal laws.
The lawsuit says FinCEN:
* Violated the Corporate Transparency Act and Administrative Procedure Act
* Skipped required legal steps before changing the rule
* Acted arbitrarily and without a reasonable explanation
* Failed to properly consult the Secretary of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney General before exempting nearly all businesses
If the states win, the court would throw out FinCEN's rule and require the agency to keep collecting and maintaining the ownership database for law enforcement.
The case, State of Oregon v. Bessent, is being filed today in U.S. District Court in Eugene.
The case is led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Also joining are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Washington, DC, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
October 27, 2026
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3143-attorney-general-jones-challenges-trump-administrations-gift-to-fraudsters-and-tax-cheats
R.I. A.G. Neronha, Coalition Sue Trump Administration for Enabling Fraud and Corruption
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Oct. 28 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Neronha, coalition sue Trump Administration for enabling fraud and corruption
October 27, 2026
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today joined a coalition of 21 states in filing a lawsuit to stop the Trump Administration from gutting the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) which helps police and prosecutors catch money launderers, fraudsters, and tax cheats.
"In these often politically polarized times, eliminating corruption and fraud is, and should be,
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, Oct. 28 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Neronha, coalition sue Trump Administration for enabling fraud and corruption
October 27, 2026
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today joined a coalition of 21 states in filing a lawsuit to stop the Trump Administration from gutting the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) which helps police and prosecutors catch money launderers, fraudsters, and tax cheats.
"In these often politically polarized times, eliminating corruption and fraud is, and should be,something we can all agree on," said Attorney General Neronha. "Yet, perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that the Trump Administration is attempting to dismantle a bipartisan law that gives law enforcement the tools they need to root out and hold accountable those who engage in illegal financial dealings. The American people are fed up with individuals and institutions cheating the system in order to get ahead, and we will fight to ensure that this law, a powerful tool to combat this type of illegal behavior, stays intact."
The CTA is a bi-partisan, landmark anti-money laundering statute passed in 2021 that requires corporations, LLCs, and similar entities to report identifying information about their beneficial owners to the United States Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) in order to stop shell companies from hiding their financial transactions from law enforcement. The law created a Treasury database of business owners to enable law enforcement to trace dirty money, track down stolen assets, and uncover bribes and political payoffs.
On March 26, 2025, FinCEN issued a rule which exempted 99.9% of businesses from the law's reporting requirements, making it nearly useless. Then, on August 14, 2026, FinCEN issued a final rule making these exemptions permanent. Finally, when announcing the final rule, FinCEN committed to executing a data purge and deleting all information previously reported by U.S. companies and individuals that are no longer required to report by February 10, 2027.
The states allege violations of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the Separation of Powers, and Take Care Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The states seek a court order that vacates FinCEN's new rule and declares it unlawful. Furthermore, the Complaint seeks a court order enjoining FinCEN from implementing or effectuating the data purge.
Joining Attorney General Neronha in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
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Original text here: https://riag.ri.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-neronha-coalition-sue-trump-administration-enabling-fraud-and
Okla. A.G. Drummond Sues Dollar General for Charging Consumers More Than Advertised
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 28 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Drummond sues Dollar General for charging consumers more than advertised
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 27, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond has sued Dollar General Corporation for engaging in deceptive pricing practices that routinely charged customers more at the register than the prices displayed on shelves, price tags and advertisements.
Drummond, the Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of 19 other state attorneys general filed the complaint yesterday, noting that Dollar
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 28 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Drummond sues Dollar General for charging consumers more than advertised
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 27, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond has sued Dollar General Corporation for engaging in deceptive pricing practices that routinely charged customers more at the register than the prices displayed on shelves, price tags and advertisements.
Drummond, the Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of 19 other state attorneys general filed the complaint yesterday, noting that DollarGeneral's unfair practices have cost consumers millions of dollars. The complaint alleges that Dollar General has, for years, repeatedly mislabeled prices, overcharged consumers and failed to correct the issue despite extensive corporate knowledge of the problem.
"Hardworking Oklahomans should not have to worry about being overcharged for everyday necessities," Drummond said. "Companies have a responsibility to be honest about their prices. I will always fight to protect Oklahomans and ensure that consumers are treated fairly."
Dollar General operates more than 21,000 stores nationwide and markets itself as a low-priced alternative to large discount and big-box retailers.
According to the complaint:
* Thousands of Dollar General stores have taken advantage of vulnerable shoppers by extracting millions of dollars in unlawful overcharges with insufficient safeguards to prevent the practice.
* Dollar General received tens of thousands of complaints from consumers across the country who say the company did not honor the advertised price, demonstrating widespread consumer harm.
* Dollar General knows that it harms consumers by charging more at the register than the prices it advertises, as reflected in numerous complaints.
Despite being made aware of the problem, Dollar General has failed to implement policies and practices to adequately address the problem. The FTC and states allege these practices violate the FTC Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and state laws.
In addition to Oklahoma and the FTC, states joining the lawsuit include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.
Read the Complaint (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/october/DollarGeneral-Complaint.pdf)
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/october/drummond-sues-dollar-general-for-charging-consumers-more-than-advertised.html
Md. A.G. Brown Charges Two Men for COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Identity Fraud Scheme
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 28 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Charges Two Men for COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Identity Fraud Scheme
10/27/2026
BALTIMORE, MD - Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that a Baltimore City grand jury has indicted Agustin Garcias Frias, 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, and Juan Ascota Fermin, 41, of Doral, Florida, on charges arising from a large-scale unemployment insurance fraud scheme conducted during the COVID 19 pandemic. The defendants allegedly used stolen identities to
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 28 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Charges Two Men for COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Identity Fraud Scheme
10/27/2026
BALTIMORE, MD - Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that a Baltimore City grand jury has indicted Agustin Garcias Frias, 40, of Baltimore, Maryland, and Juan Ascota Fermin, 41, of Doral, Florida, on charges arising from a large-scale unemployment insurance fraud scheme conducted during the COVID 19 pandemic. The defendants allegedly used stolen identities toobtain more than $300,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits. This investigation was led by the Attorney General's Fraud and Corruption Unit and the Maryland Department of Labor (MDOL).
"When COVID-19 cost thousands of Marylanders their jobs, unemployment benefits kept roofs over their heads and food on their tables," said Attorney General Brown. "Stealing the resources people depend on to survive a crisis is an unconscionable crime that will never go unanswered by our Office."
According to allegations in the indictment, between June 2020 and June 2021, as part of a scheme to exploit the public health and unemployment crises during the COVID-19 pandemic, Frias and Fermin used the stolen identities of at least 17 individuals to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims with the MDOL. The claims exploited federal pandemic benefit programs, including the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), which were created to help people who lost work because of COVID-19 under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020. The fake unemployment insurance claims generated large payments sent to debit cards, which were mailed to addresses linked to the two defendants. The defendants then used the debit cards to withdraw cash at Bank of America ATMs in Maryland and Florida, often using the same ATM for back-to-back transactions. In total, the scheme allegedly resulted in about $322,058 in fraudulent unemployment benefits being paid out.
"Protecting taxpayer dollars by combating unemployment insurance fraud is a vital part of our work and mission at the Maryland Department of Labor," says Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu. "We are proud to partner with the Office of the Attorney General on investigations of COVID19-era fraud to ensure the UI Trust Fund is protected and maintained for Marylanders who qualify for this critical benefit."
Fermin is also alleged to have separately submitted a false unemployment insurance claim in his own name. Despite being ineligible for Maryland unemployment insurance benefits as a Florida resident, he unlawfully obtained an additional $28,284 in unemployment insurance funds.
Frias and Fermin are charged in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City with identity fraud scheme over $100,000, felony theft scheme over $100,000, and conspiracy charges. Frias is scheduled for an initial appearance in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City on November 9, 2026.
Fermin has not yet been apprehended. The Attorney General's Office is asking Juan Ascota Fermin to contact the Baltimore City Police Department and arrange to turn himself in. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Baltimore City Police Department or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-756-2587 or visit www.metrocrimestoppers.org/submit-a-tip/. Callers may remain anonymous.
In making today's announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked his Criminal Division, specifically Division Chief Katie Dorian, Fraud and Corruption Unit Chief Alexander Huggins, Investigator Amy Amy, and Assistant Attorney General Gregory Jennings, who is prosecuting these cases. Attorney General Brown also thanked the Maryland Department of Labor for its partnership in this investigation, and Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan J. Bates for his assistance with this prosecution.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Charges-Two-Men-for-COVID-19-Unemployment-Insurance-Identity-Fraud-Scheme.aspx
Del. A.G. Jennings' Consumer Protection Unit Moves to Stop Predatory Home-Improvement Tactics by Mastercraft Contracting
DOVER, Delaware, Oct. 28 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release:
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AG Jennings' Consumer Protection Unit moves to stop predatory home-improvement tactics by Mastercraft Contracting
October 27, 2026
Attorney General Kathy Jennings today announced that the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Unit has filed an administrative complaint against Mastercraft Contracting, LLC and its principals, Majid Sefiane (also known as Michael Strong) and David Caprario, alleging a pattern of predatory conduct that misled Delaware homeowners and violated multiple
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DOVER, Delaware, Oct. 28 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release:
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AG Jennings' Consumer Protection Unit moves to stop predatory home-improvement tactics by Mastercraft Contracting
October 27, 2026
Attorney General Kathy Jennings today announced that the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Unit has filed an administrative complaint against Mastercraft Contracting, LLC and its principals, Majid Sefiane (also known as Michael Strong) and David Caprario, alleging a pattern of predatory conduct that misled Delaware homeowners and violated multiplestate consumer protection laws.
According to the complaint, Mastercraft used misleading door to door sales tactics to persuade homeowners that they were required to sign a form in order to receive a "free" inspection. In reality, these forms were binding contracts containing punitive cancellation penalties, often locking consumers into services they did not want. The company then used threats of liens and lawsuits to enforce those terms despite often performing little or no work. The filing further alleges Mastercraft's use of the Better Business Bureau logo and claims of "accreditation" despite lacking BBB accreditation. Delaware courts have dismissed several of Mastercraft's lawsuits and have found the liquidated damages clause to constitute an unenforceable penalty.
"Delaware families deserve honesty when they're seeking home repairs - not deceptive tactics that turn a moment of need into an opportunity for exploitation," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "Contractors shouldn't turn that vulnerability into a sales trap, weaponize fine print, or bully Delawareans with frivolous lawsuits. Our office will continue to take action against companies that prey on homeowners."
The Consumer Protection Unit alleges violations of the Consumer Fraud Act, the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and the Home Solicitation Sales Act, as well as Delaware's Home Improvement Regulations, and seeks civil penalties, restitution, and orders preventing Mastercraft and its principals from continuing these practices. Today's action follows a May 2026 filing by DOJ in Superior Court to enforce a CPU subpoena against Mastercraft.
Homeowners who believe they were misled by a home improvement company--or who were asked to sign for a "free inspection" that turned out to be a binding contract--should file a complaint with the Department of Justice at https://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/fraud/cmu/complaint/.
The respondents are entitled to a hearing, and their liability for the allegations in the administrative complaint will be determined by an Administrative Hearing Officer under Delaware law.
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Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/10/27/ag-jennings-consumer-protection-unit-moves-to-stop-predatory-home-improvement-tactics-by-mastercraft-contracting/
Alabama Joins FTC in Suing Dollar General for Charging Consumers More Than Advertised for Many Products
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 28 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release:
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Alabama joins FTC in Suing Dollar General for Charging Consumers More than Advertised for Many Products
Suit alleges Dollar General has generated millions of dollars by regularly and repeatedly charging more at the register than advertised
October 27, 2026
(Montgomery, Ala) - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 19 states in filing a lawsuit against Dollar General Corporation for engaging in long-running deceptive pricing practices
... Show Full Article
MONTGOMERY, Alabama, Oct. 28 -- Alabama Attorney General Steve T. Marshall issued the following news release:
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Alabama joins FTC in Suing Dollar General for Charging Consumers More than Advertised for Many Products
Suit alleges Dollar General has generated millions of dollars by regularly and repeatedly charging more at the register than advertised
October 27, 2026
(Montgomery, Ala) - Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 19 states in filing a lawsuit against Dollar General Corporation for engaging in long-running deceptive pricing practicesby routinely charging customers more at the register than the prices displayed on shelves, price tags and advertisements, costing consumers millions of dollars.
The coalition of state partners joined the FTC in filing a complaint, alleging that Dollar General has, for years, repeatedly mislabeled prices, overcharged consumers and failed to correct the issue despite extensive corporate knowledge of the problem. The states joining Alabama and the FTC in the lawsuit include Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.
"The price on the shelf is supposed to be the price you pay. We believe that Dollar General advertised one price and charged another at the register, and Alabama families who count every dollar were the ones who paid for it. We are joining with nineteen states and the FTC because this isn't a one-off," stated Attorney General Marshall.
According to the complaint:
* Thousands of Dollar General stores have taken advantage of vulnerable shoppers by extracting millions of dollars in unlawful overcharges with insufficient safeguards to prevent the practice.
* Dollar General received tens of thousands of complaints from consumers across the country who reported the company did not honor advertised prices, demonstrating widespread consumer harm and confirming that customers nationwide have been charged more than the advertised price.
* Dollar General knows that it harms consumers by charging more at the register than the prices it advertises, as reflected by the numerous complaints it has received.
Despite being made aware of the problem, Dollar General has failed to implement policies and practices to adequately address the problem, according to the complaint.
The FTC and states allege these practices violate the FTC Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and the states' consumer protection laws, including Alabama's Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
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Original text here: https://www.alabamaag.gov/alabama-joins-ftc-in-suing-dollar-general-for-charging-consumers-more-than-advertised-for-many-products/
A.G. Davenport Sues to Protect New Jersey From Financial Crimes
TRENTON, New Jersey, Oct. 28 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
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AG Davenport Sues to Protect New Jersey From Financial Crimes
Trump Administration Changes Rules to Reward Fraudsters and Tax Cheats
October 27, 2026
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 20 other states in a lawsuit to stop the Trump Administration from gutting a law that helps police and prosecutors catch money launderers, fraudsters, and tax cheats.
"This administration continues to do everything it can to unleash corruption, including unilaterally
... Show Full Article
TRENTON, New Jersey, Oct. 28 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
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AG Davenport Sues to Protect New Jersey From Financial Crimes
Trump Administration Changes Rules to Reward Fraudsters and Tax Cheats
October 27, 2026
TRENTON -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 20 other states in a lawsuit to stop the Trump Administration from gutting a law that helps police and prosecutors catch money launderers, fraudsters, and tax cheats.
"This administration continues to do everything it can to unleash corruption, including unilaterallyvoiding a bipartisan law that would make it harder for criminals to hide behind anonymous shell companies," said Attorney General Davenport. "We are suing to keep the law in place, so that law enforcement will have every tool available to hold wrongdoers to account."
The law, the Corporate Transparency Act, requires businesses to tell the federal government who actually owns and controls them. That matters because criminals often try to conceal their identities by using shell companies--entities that exist on paper but don't do much of anything. Now the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, known as FinCEN, has exempted 99.9% of businesses from the law, making it nearly useless.
Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act with bipartisan support in 2021. It created a Treasury database of business owners that law enforcement can use to trace dirty money, track down stolen assets, and uncover bribes and political payoffs.
In August 2026, the Trump Administration issued a rule exempting nearly every business from reporting. Then FinCEN went further, announcing it would delete the ownership information already in the database, records that likely include evidence of unsolved crimes. The states argue that would break multiple federal laws.
The lawsuit says FinCEN:
* Violated the Corporate Transparency Act;
* Skipped required legal steps before changing the rule; and
* Acted arbitrarily and without a reasonable explanation.
If the states win, the court would throw out FinCEN's rule and require the agency to keep collecting and maintaining the ownership database for law enforcement.
The case, State of Oregon v. Bessent, was filed today in U.S. District Court in Eugene and is led by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. In addition to Attorney General Davenport, the attorneys general of Arizona,
California, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia joined the complaint.
View Complaint (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/FinCEN-Rule-Complaint.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-sues-to-protect-new-jersey-from-financial-crimes/
