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Trio of Courts Rule With Del. A.G. Jennings on Voting Rights
DOVER, Delaware, Sept. 10 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release:
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Trio of courts rule with AG Jennings on voting rights
Three courts have sided with Delaware to protect the state's elections and campaign finance rules.
"Each of these attempts to strip away Delawareans' voting rights and to obfuscate campaign spending are part of a shameless, coordinated attack against the fabric of our democracy," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "No idea that requires silence to survive has any place in a democracy - but that is precisely the fight we're having:
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DOVER, Delaware, Sept. 10 -- Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued the following news release:
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Trio of courts rule with AG Jennings on voting rights
Three courts have sided with Delaware to protect the state's elections and campaign finance rules.
"Each of these attempts to strip away Delawareans' voting rights and to obfuscate campaign spending are part of a shameless, coordinated attack against the fabric of our democracy," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "No idea that requires silence to survive has any place in a democracy - but that is precisely the fight we're having:in statehouses and courthouses alike, extremists are trying to empower losing ideas by eroding the right to vote itself. They will not succeed."
Third Circuit denies Koch network's appeal in dark money case
On Monday, August 31, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit denied an interlocutory appeal from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP), a Koch family-affiliated campaign group, which sued AG Jennings and Elections Commissioner Anthony Albence to nullify the state's disclosure rules for third-party campaign advertisers.
State law defines as people or groups spending $500 or more to assist in the election of any candidate or in connection with any election campaign. The Koch lawsuit attempted to target one of the few shreds of regulation that Citizens United left intact: a requirement to disclose the identities of individuals or groups that contribute more than $100 to support independent expenditure spending in Delaware elections.
In June, a federal judge denied AFP's request for a preliminary injunction on the basis that AFP was unlikely to succeed in the case in chief. The Koch network subsequently attempted to appeal that ruling; Monday's denial returns the case to the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.
Court of Chancery shuts down Republican legislator's about-face on permanent absentee voting
On Friday, September 4, Delaware's Court of Chancery categorically denied State Sen. Gerald Hocker's challenge against the State's permanent absentee voting law (a law he once voted to pass) issuing a summary judgment in the State's favor. Hocker lost a nearly identical lawsuit in 2024 under a unanimous ruling by the Delaware Supreme Court. Tens of thousands of Delawareans--overwhelmingly veterans, senior citizens, people with disabilities, and caregivers-- rely on permanent absentee voting.
The best way for qualifying voters to ensure that they receive an absentee ballot for the 2026 general election, is to submit an application for this election in particular - even voters who are already qualified to vote absentee on a permanent basis.
Federal court grants preliminary injunction against Trump's USPS ruling
On Friday, September 4, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction blocking a new rule issued on August 21 by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that would have imposed burdensome requirements on vote-by-mail systems ahead of the November 3 midterm elections while the coalition's lawsuit challenging the rule proceeds.
The order blocks USPS from requiring states to obtain the federal government's approval for new ballot and return-envelope designs; register for a new USPS portal for tracking voter information (which is not yet operational); input information for each of their state's mail voters into the portal; and comply with other provisions.
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Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/09/09/trio-of-courts-rule-with-ag-jennings-on-voting-rights/
N.J. A.G. Davenport: FCC Must Strengthen Due Diligence Rules in Effort to Combat Illegal Robocalls
TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 10 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
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AG Davenport: FCC Must Strengthen Due Diligence Rules in Effort to Combat Illegal Robocalls
TRENTON - Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 49 attorneys general in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Upstream Provider" (KYUP) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls. KYUP rules require "voice service providers"--essentially, companies providing consumers
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TRENTON, New Jersey, Sept. 10 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release:
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AG Davenport: FCC Must Strengthen Due Diligence Rules in Effort to Combat Illegal Robocalls
TRENTON - Attorney General Jennifer Davenport co-led a coalition of 49 attorneys general in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to strengthen its "Know Your Upstream Provider" (KYUP) rules to help prevent scammers from using the U.S. communications network to make illegal robocalls. KYUP rules require "voice service providers"--essentially, companies providing consumerswith access to basic telephone service--to ensure that they generally accept calls only from legitimate and responsible providers and do not regularly transmit large volumes of illegal calls.
This comment builds upon an earlier bipartisan comment to the FCC, also co-led by Attorney General Davenport, on similar "Know Your Customer" (KYC) rules. Both sets of rules require phone companies to know who they are accepting call traffic from and what kinds of business these callers are conducting. With that information, phone companies can suspend or terminate callers or upstream providers who use their networks to make unlawful calls, or decline to do business in the first place with companies that don't meet minimum standards of credibility before any harmful scam robocalls are even sent.
"New Jerseyans are fed up with a constant barrage of unwanted robocalls," said Attorney General Davenport. "These proposed rules give companies more incentive to do their due diligence before allowing junk calls to reach our phones. The FCC should finalize and implement these rules immediately to give states more tools to hold companies that shirk their duties accountable."
Phone calls sometimes get routed through a series of phone companies before they reach your phone. Even though providers are already required to know who their caller and upstream phone company customers are, the current requirements aren't strong enough -- as evidenced by the prevalence of robocall scams. Last year, Americans received more than 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts and lost nearly $2 billion to such scams.
If scammers can't get their calls onto the U.S. communications network, illegal robocalls won't ever reach U.S. consumers' phones. Similarly, every voice service provider in the path between the caller and the consumer represents an opportunity to halt harmful traffic before a consumer's phone ever rings with an unwanted or illegal call. The attorneys general are therefore asking the FCC to strengthen voice service providers' obligation to vet their upstream provider customers, and to require the same scrutiny and diligence of the entities involved as used in the "STIR/SHAKEN" framework developed to prevent caller ID spoofing.
In addition to what the FCC is already doing, recommendations from the coalition of attorneys general across the two comments included:
* Requiring providers to better understand their customers' business, so that upstream provider monitoring can more regularly to help prevent bad actors from operating unchecked.
* Imposing additional requirements on custodians of the STIR/SHAKEN framework to require revocation of a noncompliant company's ability to participate in STIR/SHAKEN, and to establish a strong conflict of interest policy.
* Holding all originating providers to KYC standards, so that scammers cannot use smaller voice service providers to facilitate illegal calls are often facilitated by smaller voice service providers.
* Requiring originating providers to collect additional information on high-risk customers more likely to make illegal robocalls, such as those subscribing to high-volume services.
These two letters come after a coalition of 49 attorneys general sent reply comments to the FCC earlier in July, encouraging it to crackdown on illegal robocalls by strengthening rules that would cut off scammers' access to legitimate phone numbers.
Attorney General Davenport is part of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, which launched Operation Robocall Roundup in 2025.
In phase 1 of the operation, the task force sent warning letters to 37 smaller voice providers that were disregarding their obligations to mitigate the origination and transmission of illegal and/or suspicious robocalls by failing to comply with certain baseline mandates from the FCC. Just two weeks ago, the FCC issued an order to six of those companies, ordering them to fix their robocall protection issues or risk losing the ability to route any calls across the U.S. telephone network.
In phase 2, the task force:
* Expanded its crackdown to four of the country's largest intermediate voice service providers.
* Pushed the FCC to strengthen its Know Your Customer rules to require phone companies to verify who is making calls using their networks and what kinds of business their customers are conducting.
Attorney General Davenport is joined in signing this letter by the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Comment Letter (http://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/2026-0909_Reply-Comments-of-49-State-AGs-re-KYUP-FNPRM-Sept-2026.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-fcc-must-strengthen-due-diligence-rules-in-effort-to-combat-illegal-robocalls/
N.H. A.G. Formella: Bow Search Warrant Executed as Part of Human Trafficking Investigation
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Sept. 10 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release:
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Bow Search Warrant Executed as Part of Human Trafficking Investigation
Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the New Hampshire Department of Justice, the Bow Police Department, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations are continuing an investigation into suspected human trafficking and prostitution-related offenses at Yihong Spa, located at 699 Route 3A in Bow.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Bow Police Department, with assistance from the New
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, Sept. 10 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release:
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Bow Search Warrant Executed as Part of Human Trafficking Investigation
Concord, NH - Attorney General John M. Formella announces that the New Hampshire Department of Justice, the Bow Police Department, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations are continuing an investigation into suspected human trafficking and prostitution-related offenses at Yihong Spa, located at 699 Route 3A in Bow.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Bow Police Department, with assistance from the NewHampshire Department of Justice and Homeland Security Investigations, executed a search warrant at the business as part of the ongoing investigation.
The investigation has been underway for several months. Investigators are examining whether individuals associated with the business engaged in criminal conduct, including human trafficking and prostitution-related offenses.
No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional criminal charges may be brought as the investigation continues.
"Human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation can occur in any community, including right here in New Hampshire," said Attorney General Formella. "The Department of Justice is committed to working with our local and federal law enforcement partners to identify these operations, protect vulnerable individuals, and hold those responsible accountable."
The investigation is part of the Department of Justice's ongoing statewide effort to combat illicit massage businesses and the human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation that can occur within them. Since launching its targeted enforcement initiative in 2024, the Department has worked with local, state, and federal partners to investigate and shut down illicit massage businesses across New Hampshire.
The Department of Justice's efforts include criminal investigations, regulatory enforcement, and its Landlord Engagement Program, which works with property owners to identify and address illicit massage businesses operating on their properties. The Department's enforcement efforts are focused on traffickers, business operators, and sex buyers, not individuals who may themselves be victims of exploitation.
Anyone with information concerning suspected human trafficking or an illicit massage business is encouraged to contact the New Hampshire Department of Justice Anti-Trafficking Tipline at 603-271-9703. Separately, for victim support services, a 24/7 Statewide Helpline is available via the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence at 1-866-644-3574.
The investigation remains ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
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Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/bow-search-warrant-executed-part-human-trafficking-investigation
Md. A.G.: Decedent and Officer Identified in Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Middle River
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Sept. 10 -- The Maryland Office of the Attorney General issued the following news release:
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Decedent and Officer Identified in Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Middle River
BALTIMORE, MD - The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has identified the decedent and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) officer involved in the fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Middle River, Baltimore County, Maryland.
The decedent is identified as 21-year-old Sadie Holman of Odenton,
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Sept. 10 -- The Maryland Office of the Attorney General issued the following news release:
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Decedent and Officer Identified in Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Middle River
BALTIMORE, MD - The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has identified the decedent and the Baltimore County Police Department (BCoPD) officer involved in the fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Middle River, Baltimore County, Maryland.
The decedent is identified as 21-year-old Sadie Holman of Odenton,Maryland.
The involved BCoPD officer is identified as Cpl. James Haddix, an 8-year veteran. Cpl. Haddix is assigned to the Operations Bureau.
The IID continues to investigate the circumstances of this fatal police-involved shooting. Anyone with information about this incident, including cell phone or private surveillance video, is asked to contact the IID at (410) 576-7070 or by email at [email protected].
The officer was equipped with a body-worn camera which recorded the incident. The IID will generally release body-worn and dashboard video footage within 20 business days of an incident. There may be situations where more than 20 days is necessary, including if investigators need more time to complete witness interviews, if there are technical delays caused by the need to shield the identities of civilian witnesses, or to allow family members to view the video before it is released to the public.
To read the original news release, click here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/Pages/Independent-Investigations-Division-Investigating-a-Police-Involved-Shooting-in-Middle-River.aspx.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Decedent-and-Officer-Identified-in-Fatal-Police-Involved-Shooting-in-Middle-River.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown Co-Leads Challenge to Trump Administration's Rollbacks of Endangered Species Act Regulations
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Sept. 10 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Sept. 9, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Co-Leads Challenge to Trump Administration's Rollbacks of Endangered Species Act Regulations
New Rules Put Species and Their Habitats at Risk
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BALTIMORE, MD - Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing two lawsuits to protect endangered and threatened species, one against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and another against FWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (together,
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Sept. 10 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Sept. 9, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Co-Leads Challenge to Trump Administration's Rollbacks of Endangered Species Act Regulations
New Rules Put Species and Their Habitats at Risk
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BALTIMORE, MD - Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing two lawsuits to protect endangered and threatened species, one against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and another against FWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (together,the Services). The suits challenge new rules that gut essential protections for wildlife under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and threaten the survival of imperiled species. The rules make it easier for private companies or individuals to modify or degrade the habitats of listed threatened and endangered species and leave threatened species without core protections.
"Maryland's endangered species and the habitats they depend on deserve real protection, not political rollbacks that put entire ecosystems at risk," said Attorney General Brown. "My Office will not stand by while the federal government unlawfully strips away the safeguards that Marylanders and our state's wildlife depend on."
The coalition's first lawsuit challenges the Services' rescission of the longstanding regulatory definition of "harm." Previously, the rule defined harm to include "significant habitat modification or degradation" that could kill or injure wildlife by damaging species' natural habitats and behavioral patterns, including breeding, feeding or sheltering. Altering this definition reduces protections for habitats and makes it easier for them to be damaged or destroyed, even when that destruction ultimately threatens the survival of protected species.
The second lawsuit challenges two rule changes by FWS that reduce protections for threatened species and create a new process for designating areas as "critical habitat." The first rule rescinds FWS's regulations that automatically protect all newly listed threatened species. The second rule establishes a new process for designating areas as "critical habitat," that will likely leave areas essential to species' conservation without the protections that Congress intended. Together, these changes put threatened and endangered species and their habitats at risk and undermine the comprehensive protections Congress mandated under the ESA.
Research shows habitat loss is the primary cause of species decline. In both lawsuits, Attorney General Brown and the coalition argue the Services' rationale for gutting habitat protections is contrary to the intent of the ESA, which Congress enacted to protect endangered and threatened wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on for survival. In the second lawsuit, Attorney General Brown and the coalition argue that FWS's rescission of automatic protections for newly listed threatened species is contrary to the ESA's conservation purpose because it leaves threatened species without protection necessary for their survival and substantially increases the risk that they will become endangered. The coalition argues these rules are also contrary to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Maryland has a strong interest in protecting its natural resources, wildlife, and environment. Maryland is home to at least 21 federally listed animals and seven plants, such as the dwarf wedgemussel, the Atlantic sturgeon, the bog turtle, and the Puritan tiger beetle. Because many of these species also live in neighboring states, strong federal protections are necessary to ensure their ultimate recovery.
Attorney General Brown co-led today's lawsuit alongside the attorneys general of California and Washington. Joining the coalition are the attorneys general of, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Copies of the lawsuits will be published to our website once they are available.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Co-Leads-Challenge-to-Trump-Administration%e2%80%99s-Rollbacks-of-Endangered-Species-Act-Regulations.aspx
Ga. A.G. Carr Indicts Two for Hiring Caretakers With Criminal Records
ATLANTA, Georgia, Sept. 10 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on Sept. 9, 2026:
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Carr Indicts Two for Hiring Caretakers with Criminal Records
Defendants in Cobb and Fulton counties alleged to have defrauded over $50k from Georgia Medicaid
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ATLANTA, GA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that his Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division has secured two new indictments in Cobb and Fulton counties charging two individuals with Medicaid Fraud and False Statements and Writings. As asserted in the indictments, the defendants knowingly
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ATLANTA, Georgia, Sept. 10 -- Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr issued the following news release on Sept. 9, 2026:
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Carr Indicts Two for Hiring Caretakers with Criminal Records
Defendants in Cobb and Fulton counties alleged to have defrauded over $50k from Georgia Medicaid
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ATLANTA, GA - Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that his Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division has secured two new indictments in Cobb and Fulton counties charging two individuals with Medicaid Fraud and False Statements and Writings. As asserted in the indictments, the defendants knowinglyhired employees with criminal records as personal caretakers for vulnerable patients. Losses to the Georgia Medicaid program are believed to total over $50,000.
"Exposing vulnerable patients to caregivers with a criminal background is never okay, and we'll use all available resources to ensure those responsible for this absurdity are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law," said Carr. "Georgians deserve care they can trust, and they deserve to know their taxpayer dollars are being put to proper use. That's what our Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division is working to do each day, and we won't hesitate to prosecute anyone who abuses the system."
Georgia law and Georgia Medicaid regulations mandate that all employees having direct access to patients must obtain criminal background checks prior to employment. Individuals who have been convicted of specific crimes and received an 'unsatisfactory determination' from the required background check are ineligible for employment. This requirement is especially important for caregivers who have direct access to patients in their homes.
These cases were investigated by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division.
Information about each indictment is included below.
Cobb County Indictment
Helen Konoma owned and operated Lexx Homecare Agency, LLC (Lexx). Lexx was enrolled as a provider in the Georgia Medicaid program operating as a community-based program that provides care to the elderly or intellectually disabled in a home-like setting. As asserted in the indictment, Konoma hired several caretakers who she knew were ineligible due to criminal convictions. She also allegedly failed to maintain and keep documentation of satisfactory criminal background check determinations for many other employees. These hires represent a total loss to the Medicaid program of more than $30,000.
The Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division presented evidence to a Cobb County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of Helen Konoma on Aug. 27, 2026. Specifically, the defendant is facing the following charges.
Helen Konoma, 54, of Marietta:
* 4 counts of Medicaid Fraud
* 4 counts of False Statements and Writings
Read a copy of the indictment (https://law.georgia.gov/document/document/state-v-latanya-grimsley-fulton-county-indictmentpdf/download).
Fulton County Indictment
LaTanya Grimsley was employed as the Human Resources Director at Generation's Adult Day Services (GADS) in Macon. GADS is a Georgia Medicaid community-based program that provides care to the intellectually disabled in a home-like setting. In this role, Grimsley is alleged to have falsified the background check or hiring status of two individuals in the State's background check system - enabling them to work in a caregiver role with vulnerable patients. One of those hired had a felony record, and it is alleged that both hires represent a total loss to the Medicaid program of nearly $23,000.
The Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division presented evidence to a Fulton County Grand Jury, resulting in the indictment* of LaTanya Grimsley on Aug. 27, 2026. Specifically, the defendant is facing the following charges.
LaTanya Grimsley, 49, of Macon:
* 2 counts of Medicaid Fraud
* 1 count of False Statements and Writings
Read a copy of the indictment (https://law.georgia.gov/document/document/state-v-latanya-grimsley-fulton-county-indictmentpdf/download).
No further information about the investigations or the indictments may be released at this time by the Attorney General's Office.
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About the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division
Since Attorney General Chris Carr first took office, his Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division has secured more than 100 convictions for Medicaid fraud and the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults, resulting in nearly $26 million in restitution orders in criminal matters. Over this same period, Carr's Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division has obtained civil settlements and judgements totaling more than $138 million as a result of its efforts to safeguard the Georgia Medicaid program.
The Medicaid Fraud and Patient Protection Division receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $5,381,304 for Federal FY 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $1,793,768, is funded by the State of Georgia.
*Members of the public should keep in mind that indictments contain only allegations against the individual against whom the indictment is sought. A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and it will be the government's burden at trial to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the allegations contained in the indictment.
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Original text here: https://law.georgia.gov/press-releases/2026-09-09/carr-indicts-two-hiring-caretakers-criminal-records
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Investigation Into Anticompetitive Practices in Firetruck Manufacturing Industry Endangering Arizona Communities
PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 10 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Sept. 9, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Investigation into Anticompetitive Practices in Firetruck Manufacturing Industry Endangering Arizona Communities
PHOENIX -- Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced an investigation into potential anticompetitive conduct in the firetruck manufacturing industry, responding to mounting concerns from Arizona fire departments and local governments about skyrocketing costs and unreasonable delivery timelines for critical firefighting apparatus.
"Arizona's
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Sept. 10 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Sept. 9, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Investigation into Anticompetitive Practices in Firetruck Manufacturing Industry Endangering Arizona Communities
PHOENIX -- Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced an investigation into potential anticompetitive conduct in the firetruck manufacturing industry, responding to mounting concerns from Arizona fire departments and local governments about skyrocketing costs and unreasonable delivery timelines for critical firefighting apparatus.
"Arizona'sfirefighters run toward danger to protect the rest of us, and they shouldn't have to do it with equipment that's falling apart because corporate greed has priced them out of the repairs and replacements they need," said Attorney General Mayes. "My office will hold accountable any company that puts profits ahead of the safety of our first responders and the communities they serve."
Fire departments across Arizona have reported steep and sudden increases in the cost of essential equipment--including aerial ladder trucks, pumper engines, water tankers, and rescue vehicles--coupled with extended wait times that have left some departments waiting years for new equipment.
These challenges have put pressure on municipal and fire district budgets statewide and left firefighters operating equipment well past its intended service life, raising serious concerns about their ability to respond effectively to emergencies. The price surges have tracked closely with the consolidation in the industry and unexplained manufacturing shutdowns and slowdowns occurring even as demand for new vehicles remained high.
Protecting Arizona's first responders and every Arizonan they serve is a top priority for Attorney General Mayes. The Attorney General remains committed to pursuing any illegal conduct that may violate antitrust laws, jeopardizes public safety or drives up costs for local governments and taxpayers.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-investigation-anticompetitive-practices-firetruck
