Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
Featured Stories
West Virginia Sues Major Proxy Advising Firm for Misleading Investors While Pushing Radical Climate Agenda
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, May 21 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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West Virginia sues major proxy advising firm for misleading investors while pushing radical climate agenda
Today, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey filed a lawsuit against Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), the world's largest proxy advisor firm, claiming the company misled West Virginia investors. ISS promised objective advice while promoting an undisclosed ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) agenda and coordinating with activist
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CHARLESTON, West Virginia, May 21 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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West Virginia sues major proxy advising firm for misleading investors while pushing radical climate agenda
Today, West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey filed a lawsuit against Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), the world's largest proxy advisor firm, claiming the company misled West Virginia investors. ISS promised objective advice while promoting an undisclosed ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) agenda and coordinating with activistgroups.
"West Virginia citizens, investors and businesses demand a marketplace that is free from undue influence. ISS has, itself and through its proxies, exerted massive, secretive influence over major portions of our economy, leading to a restructuring of boardrooms into political machines designed to destroy coal, gas and many of the values that West Virginians hold dear. That stops today. The market works best when it's free, and this is a huge step to returning to that ideal," Attorney General McCuskey said.
The lawsuit claims ISS falsely advertised its services as objective, while actually working with ESG activist groups like Climate Action 100+, Ceres, and The Children's Investment Fund, to shape recommendations, without disclosing their influence to clients who were expecting neutral recommendations. The lawsuit alleges those deceptive actions are a violation of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act.
ISS's owners, Deutsche Borse AG and General Atlantic, are also committed ESG activists, creating undisclosed conflicts of interest. The company used ESG metrics without studying financial impact, adopting broad ESG policies without analyzing their effect on shareholder value or company performance.
Additionally, the lawsuit claims ISS opposed leaders who focused on financial analysis over ideology, citing Warren Buffett as an example.
From 2022 to early 2025, ISS allegedly recommended votes against board members based on race and ethnicity - a policy the lawsuit says was illegal and not disclosed to clients. ISS ended this after a 2025 Executive Order. On the side, ISS ran a consulting business selling ESG services to the same companies it rated, without fully disclosing this conflict of interest.
The lawsuit follows wider national concerns about proxy advisers like ISS, with U.S. officials and financial leaders criticizing the firm's influence and conflicts of interest.
Florida first filed a lawsuit against ISS in November. West Virginia, Nebraska, Iowa, and Texas join in filing suit against ISS today. The Multistate Proxy Advisor Coalition aims for coordinated efforts and a unified front against what they call widespread harm from ISS's practices. The Multistate Proxy Advisor Coalition includes West Virginia, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
Read a copy of the lawsuit here (https://ago.wv.gov/media/37716/download?inline).
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Original text here: https://ago.wv.gov/article/west-virginia-sues-major-proxy-advising-firm-misleading-investors-while-pushing-radical
Va. A.G. Jones Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Student Loan Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
RICHMOND, Virginia, May 21 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Student Loan Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
Coalition challenges unlawful rule that could restrict access to advanced education and worsen workforce shortages
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Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loans
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RICHMOND, Virginia, May 21 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on May 20, 2026:
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Attorney General Jay Jones Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Student Loan Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
Coalition challenges unlawful rule that could restrict access to advanced education and worsen workforce shortages
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Attorney General Jay Jones today joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loansfor students pursuing professional degree programs, including many healthcare and other critical workforce fields.
The lawsuit challenges a recently finalized Department of Education rule that narrows the federal definition of "professional degree" and imposes restrictions Congress did not authorize. The coalition argues the rule unlawfully excludes many degree programs that qualify under the standards established by federal law, potentially reducing access to financial aid for students pursuing advanced education.
"Cutting off access to federal student loans cuts off access to career opportunities for Virginians. This unlawful rule will worsen the workforce crisis and further strain the healthcare field," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "The Trump administration is once again skirting the system of checks and balances, and my office is committed to standing up for student borrowers in the Commonwealth."
In July 2025, Congress passed legislation imposing new limits on federal student loans for graduate and professional students. The new limits are lower for graduate students than for professional degree students; to distinguish the two, Congress incorporated an existing federal definition of "professional degree" into law. The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Education unlawfully altered that definition by adding new requirements and narrowing eligibility in ways Congress never authorized.
The coalition argues the rule could harm states by reducing support for public institutions of higher education, creating barriers for students pursuing advanced training, and worsening workforce shortages in critical professions. The complaint notes that these impacts could be particularly significant in fields such as healthcare, where states already face ongoing workforce challenges.
The lawsuit also challenges provisions that limit protections for students already enrolled in programs. The statute includes a grandfathering provision that delays implementation of the loan caps for currently enrolled students. Under the rule, however, some students who transfer institutions or temporarily withdraw and later return to their programs could lose eligibility for grandfathering, creating additional financial barriers.
The coalition filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
The lawsuit is being co-led by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Attorney General Jones is joining the co-lead states and the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in filing the lawsuit.
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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3027-attorney-general-jay-jones-sues-u-s-department-of-education-over-student-loan-rule-limiting-access-to-student-loans-for-professional-degree-programs
Time's Up: Attorney General Bonta Announces Felony Charges Against Southern California Jeweler for $1.5 Million Phantom Rolex Scheme
SACRAMENTO, California, May 20 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Time's Up: Attorney General Bonta Announces Felony Charges Against Southern California Jeweler for $1.5 Million Phantom Rolex Scheme
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LOS ANGELES -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the dismantling of a luxury watch fraud scheme and felony charges filed against a local jewelry store owner accused of swindling 22 victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars for Rolex watches that never existed. The total loss to victims is nearly $1.5 million with the conduct
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SACRAMENTO, California, May 20 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Time's Up: Attorney General Bonta Announces Felony Charges Against Southern California Jeweler for $1.5 Million Phantom Rolex Scheme
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LOS ANGELES -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the dismantling of a luxury watch fraud scheme and felony charges filed against a local jewelry store owner accused of swindling 22 victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars for Rolex watches that never existed. The total loss to victims is nearly $1.5 million with the conductspanning multiple years, occurring in Orange and Los Angeles Counties.
"When corrupt individuals orchestrate complex schemes to siphon away people's hard-earned money, my office will act swiftly," said Attorney General Bonta. "Those who manipulate the rules to enrich themselves at the expense of others will always be held accountable. Our mission at the California Department of Justice remains unwavering. We will continue to investigate, expose, and dismantle financial crimes and fraud across California to ensure a fair marketplace for everyone."
The jeweler repeatedly ran a luxury watch scam by targeting buyers who wanted to purchase high-end Rolex models valued between $50,000 and $100,000. He would falsely promise these clients that he could source the requested watches through his overseas brokers, convincing them to wire the full purchase amount upfront into his business bank accounts. Although the victims were promised a delivery window of four to six weeks, the watches never arrived, and the jeweler offered endless excuses and reassurances as the weeks turned into months. When buyers finally demanded their money back, the jeweler agreed to issue refunds but ultimately pocketed the cash, leaving most victims without their money.
In addition to individuals, the jeweler also defrauded a watch distributor who lost over $400,000 after selling high-end watches to the jeweler but never receiving payment. The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is prosecuting the case, and the charges include grand theft, writing a fraudulent check, with white-collar crime enhancements. DOJ received significant assistance from the Newport Beach Police Department in the investigation.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint contains charges that are only allegations against a person. Every defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Here is a copy of the criminal complaint.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/time%E2%80%99s-attorney-general-bonta-announces-felony-charges-against-southern
N.J. A.G. Davenport Sues to Protect Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
TRENTON, New Jersey, May 20 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on May 19, 2026:
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AG Davenport Sues to Protect Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
Coalition Challenges Unlawful Rule That Could Restrict Access to Advanced Education and Worsen Healthcare Workforce Shortages
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loans for students pursuing certain professional
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TRENTON, New Jersey, May 20 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on May 19, 2026:
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AG Davenport Sues to Protect Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
Coalition Challenges Unlawful Rule That Could Restrict Access to Advanced Education and Worsen Healthcare Workforce Shortages
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Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today joined a coalition of attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over a new rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loans for students pursuing certain professionaldegree programs, including many healthcare fields.
The lawsuit challenges a recently finalized Department of Education rule that narrows the federal definition of "professional degree." The coalition argues the rule unlawfully excludes many degree programs that qualify under federal law, including Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, reducing access to financial aid for students pursuing advanced education.
"In the midst of an affordability crisis -- and a shortage of crucial healthcare workers -- the Trump Administration is raising the cost of a nursing degree and others. That's counterproductive and unlawful," said Attorney General Davenport. "New Jersey needs more advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and physical and occupational therapists, not fewer. Shrinking the number of graduate health professionals will create more gaps in our overburdened healthcare system."
In July 2025, Congress passed legislation imposing new limits on federal student loans for graduate and professional students. The new limits are lower for graduate students ($20,500 annually) than for professional degree students ($50,000 annually). To distinguish the two, Congress incorporated an existing federal definition of "professional degree" into law. The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Education unlawfully altered that definition by adding new requirements and narrowing eligibility in ways Congress never authorized.
The coalition argues the rule could harm states by reducing support for public institutions of higher education, creating barriers for students pursuing advanced training, and worsening workforce shortages in critical professions. For example, these barriers apply to students pursuing degrees as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who can go on to become nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nursed anesthetists.
These impacts could be particularly significant in fields such as healthcare, where states already face ongoing workforce challenges. According to the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing, the state continues to face significant shortages of advanced practice registered nurses - a problem likely to get worse if the rule reduces enrollment and makes recruiting harder.
The lawsuit also challenges provisions of the rule that limit protections for students already enrolled in programs. The statute includes a grandfathering provision that delays implementation of the loan caps for currently enrolled students. Under the rule, however, some students who transfer institutions or temporarily withdraw and later return to their programs could lose eligibility for grandfathering, creating additional financial barriers.
The coalition filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
The lawsuit is being co-led by the attorneys general of Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, and New York. Attorney General Davenport is joining the co-lead states and the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, in filing the lawsuit.
View Complaint (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/001-Complaint.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/ag-davenport-sues-to-protect-access-to-student-loans-for-professional-degree-programs/
Md. A.G. Brown Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Unlawful Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 20 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 19, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Unlawful Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today co-led a coalition of 24 attorneys general and the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in challenging a new U.S. Department of Education rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loans for students pursuing professional degree programs, including many healthcare and other
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 20 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 19, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Sues U.S. Department of Education Over Unlawful Rule Limiting Access to Student Loans for Professional Degree Programs
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today co-led a coalition of 24 attorneys general and the Governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in challenging a new U.S. Department of Education rule that unlawfully limits access to federal student loans for students pursuing professional degree programs, including many healthcare and othercritical workforce fields.
The recently finalized rule narrows the federal definition of "professional degree" and imposes restrictions Congress did not authorize. In challenging the rule, the coalition argues it unlawfully excludes many degree programs that qualify under the standards established by federal law, potentially reducing access to financial aid for students pursuing advanced education.
A video statement from Attorney General Brown is available here: https://youtu.be/8KEQr0Ye_TU
"This unlawful rule doesn't just limit loans for graduate students: it limits students' futures. By capping loan amounts, the Trump Administration will force Marylanders who want to be nurses, physician assistants, or physical therapists to decide between taking on more expensive private loans, or walking away from their chosen career," said Attorney General Brown. "We will not allow this Administration to price our future healthcare professionals out of the workforce."
In July 2025, Congress passed legislation imposing new limits on federal student loans for graduate and professional students. The new limits are lower for graduate students than for professional students; to distinguish the two, Congress incorporated an existing federal definition of "professional degree" into law. The lawsuit alleges that the Department of Education unlawfully altered that definition by adding new requirements and narrowing eligibility in ways Congress never authorized.
The coalition argues the rule could harm states by reducing revenue for public institutions of higher education, creating barriers for students pursuing advanced training, and worsening workforce shortages in critical professions. For example, the University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore offers an entry-level Master of Science in Nursing degree that the Final Rule improperly refuses to classify as "professional." Under the Department's definition, a graduate nursing student could only borrow up to $20,500 per year for that program in federal student loans, $29,500 less than if the degree were correctly classified as professional. Some students will struggle to borrow funds through private loans to cover the gap.
The complaint notes that these impacts could be particularly significant for healthcare professions, which already present significant workforce challenges.
The lawsuit also challenges provisions that limit protections for students already enrolled in programs. The statute includes a grandfathering provision that delays implementation of the loan caps for currently enrolled students. Under the rule, however, some students who transfer institutions or temporarily withdraw and later return to their programs could lose eligibility for grandfathering, creating additional financial barriers.
The coalition filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
The lawsuit is being co-led by Attorney General Brown, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Joining the coalition are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, as well as the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania in filing the lawsuit.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Sues-U.S.-Department-of-Education-Over-Unlawful-Rule-Limiting-Access-to-Student-Loans-for-Profession.aspx
Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Investigation Into Meta Glasses to Protect Texans' Privacy From Unlawful Monitoring and Collection of Facial Data
AUSTIN, Texas, May 20 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Investigation Into Meta Glasses to Protect Texans' Privacy From Unlawful Monitoring and Collection of Facial Data
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Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Meta's Meta AI Glasses ("Meta Glasses") over concerns regarding privacy representations and the capabilities of the glasses to expose Texans' private data, recordings, and facial geometry.
Meta Glasses are smart glasses equipped with cameras, speakers, and other communication tools.
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AUSTIN, Texas, May 20 -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Investigation Into Meta Glasses to Protect Texans' Privacy From Unlawful Monitoring and Collection of Facial Data
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Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Meta's Meta AI Glasses ("Meta Glasses") over concerns regarding privacy representations and the capabilities of the glasses to expose Texans' private data, recordings, and facial geometry.
Meta Glasses are smart glasses equipped with cameras, speakers, and other communication tools.The glasses enable its wearers to capture and share audio and video data from around them. Meta's privacy policy notes that its smart glasses have an "always enabled" mode which permits the device to constantly process video data for use with Meta AI products. The glasses are equipped with a small LED indicator set to activate when a device is recording audio and video, but this indicator is easily hidden. Furthermore, this LED indicator is not active during the smart glasses' "always enabled" mode.
Although Meta advertises its glasses as "designed for privacy" and claims that it takes steps to protect private and key identifiable information, serious concerns have arisen. Individuals at Meta's subcontractor Sama, located in Kenya, access consumers private information despite Meta's privacy representations. Sama's data annotators have claimed that they have access to video material of users' private moments, such as bathroom visits and other intimate moments. Although employees claim that faces that appear in annotated data are automatically blurred, one employee noted that that is not always the case.
In addition to these concerns, reporting from the New York Times indicates that Meta plans to bring facial recognition technology to the Meta Glasses. Internally code-named "Name Tag," this feature would allow Meta to collect unsuspecting individuals' facial geometry from Meta Glasses' built-in, inconspicuous cameras.
"I will continue to relentlessly stand up to any company that threatens the privacy and safety of Texans," said Attorney General Paxton. "Meta's glasses raise serious concerns, and my office will thoroughly investigate these devices to ensure that no individual is being unlawfully recorded, tracked, or subjected to the unauthorized collection of their data."
In July of 2024, Attorney General Paxton secured a $1.4 billion settlement with Meta (formerly known as Facebook) over its unlawful facial recognition technology software in its application. Attorney General Paxton has issued a Civil Investigative Demand ("CID") to the company to investigate and determine whether Meta deceptively misrepresents the extent of its use of private data from consumers in violation of Texas law.
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Original text here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-launches-investigation-meta-glasses-protect-texans-privacy-unlawful
AG Nessel to Challenge Latest Illegal DOE Order Forcing Operation of J.H. Campbell Plant
LANSING, Michigan, May 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel to Challenge Latest Illegal DOE Order Forcing Operation of J.H. Campbell Plant
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LANSING - Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is announcing her intent to file a request for rehearing with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), challenging the Department's latest arbitrary and illegal order forcing the continued operation of Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in West Olive, Michigan, under the pretense of a fabricated energy emergency. Earlier this
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LANSING, Michigan, May 20 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel to Challenge Latest Illegal DOE Order Forcing Operation of J.H. Campbell Plant
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LANSING - Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is announcing her intent to file a request for rehearing with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), challenging the Department's latest arbitrary and illegal order forcing the continued operation of Consumers Energy's J.H. Campbell coal-fired power plant in West Olive, Michigan, under the pretense of a fabricated energy emergency. Earlier thisweek, DOE issued its fifth order under Federal Power Act Section 202(c) forcing Consumers Energy to run the J.H. Campbell coal plant until August 16, 2026, more than a year beyond its previously approved retirement date of May 31, 2025.
"We are nearly a year into these so-called emergency orders designed to keep an aging coal plant on life support at the expense of Michigan ratepayers," said Attorney General Nessel. "Never before has DOE hijacked a plant's retirement without a real, short-term crisis. Now the costs are stacking up, and my office will continue to fight these unlawful extensions."
The retirement of the Campbell Plant, originally built in the 1960s, and its replacement with more cost-effective resources were elements of a carefully considered plan. This included the procurement of replacement power resources, and the planning for future resources, to more than account for the removal of the J.H Campbell Plant. The retirement was expected to save Michigan ratepayers nearly $600 million. Instead, Consumers Energy has reported at least $180 million in costs associated with the Campbell plant past its scheduled retirement date, not including ongoing costs of running the plant from March 31, 2026, to the present.
Attorney General Nessel has consistently argued that DOE has not been able to show the actual emergency it's using to justify the continued operation of the J.H. Campbell Plant. She has already filed four requests for rehearing with the DOE and four petitions for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Last week, the Department of Attorney General gave oral arguments before the Court challenging DOE's original May 23, 2025, order.
In addition, the Attorney General is litigating before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission after it granted Consumers Energy's request to allocate the costs of continuing to run the J.H. Campbell coal plant to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator north and central regions, which consists of 11 states and one Canadian province. The Attorney General has argued that the underlying DOE orders forcing the coal plant to run are unlawful and she intends to request a hearing on these additional costs to ensure that they are accurate and reasonable. The Attorney General has further challenged similar DOE orders targeting coal plants in Indiana, seeking to protect Michiganders from the costs of those unlawful orders as well.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/05/20/ag-nessel-to-challenge-latest-illegal-doe-order
