Targeted News Service

N.J. A.G. Davenport: Essex County Prosecutor's Office Sergeant Allegedly Steals Injured Journalist's Camera Bag and Equipment During Delaney Hall Protest, Charged With Theft

TRENTON, New Jersey, June 5 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on June 4, 2026:

* * *

Essex County Prosecutor's Office Sergeant Allegedly Steals Injured Journalist's Camera Bag and Equipment During Delaney Hall Protest, Charged with Theft

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) today announced the filing of a criminal charge against an Essex County Prosecutor's Office sergeant, stemming from his alleged theft of a photojournalist's camera equipment while the journalist was at a hospital ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, June 5 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on June 4, 2026: * * * Essex County Prosecutor's Office Sergeant Allegedly Steals Injured Journalist's Camera Bag and Equipment During Delaney Hall Protest, Charged with Theft Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) today announced the filing of a criminal charge against an Essex County Prosecutor's Office sergeant, stemming from his alleged theft of a photojournalist's camera equipment while the journalist was at a hospitalbeing treated for injuries from a May 30, 2026 protest at Newark's Delaney Hall.

Sergeant Darryl Brown, 43, of Sparta Township in Sussex County, has been charged by complaint summons with theft (3rd degree) following an investigation by investigators from OPIA's Corruption Bureau.

"So many police officers conduct themselves with integrity, uphold the law, maintain order and public safety, and serve our communities with distinction in the face of great challenges, day in and day out," said Attorney General Davenport. "When an officer does what is alleged in this case, it is a disservice to the profession and the public. I previously pledged that our Office would review allegations of improper conduct by law enforcement. We are doing exactly that, and this case is a result of that effort. Let me be clear: absolutely no one is above the law. We will hold law enforcement accountable when they abuse the tremendous position of public trust that they occupy and choose to break the law."

"The allegations against Sergeant Brown are serious and concerning. He has been suspended without pay pending the outcome of an investigation by the Attorney General's Office," said Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II. "Conduct that undermines the public's trust in law enforcement is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office remains committed to accountability, integrity, and maintaining the public's trust in the criminal justice system."

According to the investigation, the photojournalist was in the area of Delaney Hall on Saturday. According to the complaint, the journalist suffered an injury while working at the scene and dropped a camera bag, containing an estimated $10,000 worth of cameras and related equipment. The journalist was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

As alleged in the complaint, following the journalist's treatment, the journalist tracked the location of an Apple AirTag tracking device affixed to one of the items in the bag, and the trail led to a house in Sparta Township.

That AirTag was later recovered, without the other items, by a friend of the victim, several miles away from the initial tracked location. According to the investigation, the original destination of the AirTag was determined to be the residence of the defendant, who had been deployed to the area of Delaney Hall in his official law enforcement capacity on May 30, 2026.

As alleged, Brown's body-worn camera footage from May 30, 2026 shows him interacting with a dark colored bag, consistent with the description of the victim's belongings.

According to the complaint, on June 3, 2026, a search warrant was executed at Brown's residence and several of the items reported missing by the reporter were recovered, including several items that still had the victim's name and phone number printed on labels affixed to them.

Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

These charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

* * *

Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/essex-county-prosecutors-office-sergeant-allegedly-steals-injured-journalists-camera-bag-and-equipment-during-delaney-hall-protest-charged-with-theft/

HAWAII A.G. DEPT. TO SEEK RECONSIDERATION OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DECISION REGARDING MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL UNIT

HONOLULU, Hawaii, June 5 -- Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez issued the following statement on June 4, 2026, in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' decision regarding federal funding for Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit:

* * *

DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SEEK RECONSIDERATION OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DECISION REGARDING MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL UNIT

The Department of the Attorney General remains committed to protecting Medicaid beneficiaries, safeguarding public funds, and holding accountable those who commit fraud, abuse, or neglect.

We ... Show Full Article HONOLULU, Hawaii, June 5 -- Hawaii Attorney General Anne E. Lopez issued the following statement on June 4, 2026, in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' decision regarding federal funding for Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit: * * * DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SEEK RECONSIDERATION OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DECISION REGARDING MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL UNIT The Department of the Attorney General remains committed to protecting Medicaid beneficiaries, safeguarding public funds, and holding accountable those who commit fraud, abuse, or neglect. Werecognize the seriousness of the HHS's concerns and are treating this matter with the urgency it deserves. The Department has mobilized additional personnel and resources from across multiple divisions to conduct a comprehensive review of the findings, prepare a formal response, and pursue all available avenues to preserve and strengthen Hawaii's Medicaid fraud enforcement efforts.

We intend to seek reconsideration of HHSs decision and will continue working closely with our federal partners to address concerns and demonstrate the full scope of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit's work.

While recent federal correspondence and media reports have focused heavily on criminal case numbers, they do not fully reflect the work performed by Hawaii's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Since 2021, the unit has secured or helped secure more than $14 million in judgments, settlements, and recoveries, pursued civil enforcement actions, investigated allegations of provider fraud, and prosecuted cases involving the abuse and neglect of vulnerable individuals.

Medicaid fraud enforcement is not measured solely by convictions. It includes preventing fraud, recovering taxpayer dollars, protecting beneficiaries, and pursuing appropriate civil and criminal remedies based on the facts and the law.

We strongly disagree with any suggestion that Hawaii has failed to take Medicaid fraud seriously. The Department will continue working to strengthen enforcement efforts, protect public resources, and ensure accountability for those who abuse the Medicaid program.

* * *

Original text here: https://ag.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/News-Release-2026-30.pdf

East Middlebury Resident Charged with Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, Enabling Underage Consumption of Cannabis and Alcohol

MONTPELIER, Vermont, June 5 -- Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark posted the following news release:

* * *

East Middlebury Resident Charged with Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, Enabling Underage Consumption of Cannabis and Alcohol

*

The Attorney General's Office announced that Robert Martineit, 44, of East Montpelier, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct, one misdemeanor count of Enabling the Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor and one misdemeanor count of Enabling the Consumption of Cannabis. The charges brought against Mr. Martineit were the result ... Show Full Article

Attorney General Jeff Jackson Defends Antitrust Enforcement in Chemours Case

RALEIGH, North Carolina, June 5 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release:

* * *

Attorney General Jeff Jackson Defends Antitrust Enforcement in Chemours Case

*

Raleigh-Attorney General Jeff Jackson is fighting to protect North Carolinians from anticompetitive behavior by urging a federal appeals court to ensure that when antitrust cases are heard, the conduct is considered in its entirety instead of on a piece-by-piece basis. That big-picture consideration of a company's conduct is central to proving anticompetitive behavior.

"When companies engage ... Show Full Article RALEIGH, North Carolina, June 5 -- North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Jeff Jackson Defends Antitrust Enforcement in Chemours Case * Raleigh-Attorney General Jeff Jackson is fighting to protect North Carolinians from anticompetitive behavior by urging a federal appeals court to ensure that when antitrust cases are heard, the conduct is considered in its entirety instead of on a piece-by-piece basis. That big-picture consideration of a company's conduct is central to proving anticompetitive behavior. "When companies engagein anticompetitive tactics, their customers end up paying more and having fewer choices," said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. "We must be able to effectively enforce antitrust laws, and I urge the court to make sure it doesn't become more difficult to do so."

Attorney General Jackson filed an amicus brief in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in a case about Chemours allegedly illegally monopolizing part of the HVAC refrigerant market.

Chemours developed a refrigerant called R-454B in response to federal regulations that required manufacturers to use chemicals that were less likely to harm the environment. It is used in HVAC systems in homes and some businesses.

Other chemical manufacturers sued The Chemours Company FC, LLC, and Mexichem Fluor, Inc., under Section 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act and other laws. The plaintiffs accused the defendants of monopolizing the sales of all refrigerants in the United States, including R-454B, through a complex scheme that involved misrepresenting that R-454B was patented, exclusive contracting, threats, and more. A district court judge dismissed the case, and the plaintiffs appealed.

Attorney General Jackson's amicus brief argues that the district court was wrong to evaluate the alleged Section 2 monopoly conduct separately instead of evaluating it as a whole. He argues that the district court failed to apply the precedent set in a North Carolina case, Duke Energy v. NTE Carolinas, which established that alleged anticompetitive conduct should be evaluated together instead of as individual components, to this case.

States are among those responsible for enforcing federal antitrust laws. The amicus brief notes that the district court's ruling would make it more difficult to do so and emphasizes the importance of not placing unjustified burdens on plaintiffs who bring antitrust claims.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson has previously fought to protect North Carolinians from companies that violate antitrust laws. Earlier this month, he shut down a secret data exchange that raised prices on chicken, pork, and turkey. In April, he won a court order temporarily freezing the Nexstar and Tegna TV Merger and won a seven-week long trial against Live Nation and Ticketmaster on all claims. He is also suing the software company RealPage for allegedly exploiting landlords' competitively sensitive information to create a pricing algorithm that violated antitrust laws and raised rent prices.

***

Original text here: https://ncdoj.gov/attorney-general-jeff-jackson-defends-antitrust-enforcement-in-chemours-case/

Attorney General Bonta Sends Comment Letter to EPA on Microplastics

SACRAMENTO, California, June 5 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:

* * *

Attorney General Bonta Sends Comment Letter to EPA on Microplastics

*

OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a multistate coalition of 14 attorneys general in sending a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commending EPA's efforts to add microplastics to a list of contaminants in drinking water prioritized for research, and urging EPA to further monitor microplastics.

"Microplastics are everywhere, from the deepest ocean to the highest ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, June 5 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Bonta Sends Comment Letter to EPA on Microplastics * OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta today joined a multistate coalition of 14 attorneys general in sending a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) commending EPA's efforts to add microplastics to a list of contaminants in drinking water prioritized for research, and urging EPA to further monitor microplastics. "Microplastics are everywhere, from the deepest ocean to the highestmountain, and even in our bodies, causing damage -in ways known and unknown -to our environment and potentially our health," said Attorney General Bonta. "We commend EPA's efforts to add microplastics to the list of contaminants in drinking water that are prioritized for research. This is an important step for protecting our environment and public health, but we can and should go further. More data can only make our work to protect the public from microplastics more effective."

The list, called the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL), details contaminants that the EPA has identified as those with potential public health concerns that are known or expected in public water systems, and thus may require future regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The CCL, which is published every five years, is a mechanism for identifying priority contaminants for further study. The inclusion of microplastics in this iteration of the CCL will help advance our understanding of the impacts of microplastics on public health.

In the letter, the attorneys general urge the EPA to go one step further and include microplastics on the upcoming Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) 6. The UCMR requires monitoring of selected contaminants in public water systems for frequency and occurrence. As the letter argues, inclusion of microplastics in the UCMR will advance research on microplastics in drinking water and lay the groundwork for their future regulation.

The Danger of Microplastics

Microplastics pose special concerns due to their suspected overall prevalence and their ability to accumulate and persist in the environment. They are generally described as tiny, often invisible particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter -even as tiny as one nanometer -composed of polymers and various chemical additives that were either originally part of a plastic product or were adsorbed from the surrounding environment. They pose significant risks to human and environmental health due to their abundance in our planet's water, air, and land.

Research conducted to date indicates microplastics can harm human health, and exposure occurs most often through drinking water and other beverages, breathing air, and consuming food. Their size and shape may lead to cellular and tissue damage, and they have been found in all human organ systems, including the brain. In addition, microplastics can act as vectors for toxic chemicals to enter the human body, compounding exposure.

As the comment letter notes, babies and children are at greater risk of exposure to microplastics than adults. This exposure begins in utero, since microplastics can transfer through the placenta. Microplastics have been found in placental tissue, amniotic fluid, cord blood, and meconium, and are associated with impaired fetal growth and shortened gestational duration. Additional exposures occur after birth, such as through human breast milk, dairy products, drinking water, and food products. Overall, children are exposed to microplastics through diet, feeding equipment, toys, and inhalation of airborne particles.

Microplastics are linked to reduced birth weight, prematurity, deficits in brain development, respiratory issues, allergy, metabolic effects, reproductive system alterations, and systemic effects such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and multi-organ toxicity.

In filing the comment letter, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Here is a copy of the letter (https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/CCL%206%20Letter%20-%206.5.26%20final.pdf).

***

Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-sends-comment-letter-epa-microplastics

Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Indictment for Fraud Scheme Involving Forged Financial Statements and Theft of Retirement Funds

PHOENIX, Arizona, June 5 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on June 4, 2026:

* * *

Attorney General Mayes Announces Indictment for Fraud Scheme Involving Forged Financial Statements and Theft of Retirement Funds

Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that a State Grand Jury has indicted Daniel Droeg on four felony counts for an alleged fraud scheme involving forged financial statements and the theft of his clients' retirement funds.

The grand jury returned a true bill on April 13, 2026, charging Droeg with fraudulent schemes and artifices, a Class ... Show Full Article

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL SUPPORTS EPA RESEARCH ON THE HARMS OF MICROPLASTICS IN DRINKING WATER, CALLS FOR ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS

CHICAGO, Illinois, June 5 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release:

* * *

ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL SUPPORTS EPA RESEARCH ON THE HARMS OF MICROPLASTICS IN DRINKING WATER, CALLS FOR ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS

*

Chicago -Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 14 attorneys general, affirmed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) efforts to add microplastics to a list of contaminants in drinking water prioritized for research and called for the EPA to further monitor microplastics.

Microplastics pose special concerns ... Show Full Article CHICAGO, Illinois, June 5 -- Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following news release: * * * ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL SUPPORTS EPA RESEARCH ON THE HARMS OF MICROPLASTICS IN DRINKING WATER, CALLS FOR ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS * Chicago -Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 14 attorneys general, affirmed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) efforts to add microplastics to a list of contaminants in drinking water prioritized for research and called for the EPA to further monitor microplastics. Microplastics pose special concernsdue to their suspected overall prevalence and their ability to accumulate and persist in the environment. They are generally described as often-invisible particles less than 5 millimeters in diameter, sometimes even as tiny as 1 nanometer, composed of polymers and various chemical additives that were either originally part of a plastic product or were adsorbed from the surrounding environment.

"Microplastics pose significant risks to human and environmental health and can be pervasive in our water, air and land," Raoul said. "I am pleased that the EPA has proposed making this issue a priority for research, and I join my fellow attorneys general in calling on the agency to do more to monitor microplastics in public water systems."

The EPA has proposed including microplastics in its Contaminant Candidate List (CCL), which is published every five years and identifies priority contaminants for further study. The list includes contaminants that the EPA has identified as posing potential public health concerns in public water systems and possibly requiring future regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Including microplastics in the CCL will help advance understanding of the impacts of microplastics on public health.

In their comment letter, Raoul and the attorneys general urge the EPA to go a step further and include microplastics in the upcoming Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) 6. The UCMR allows the EPA to monitor the presence of microplastics in public water systems by collecting data regarding their frequency and occurrence. In November 2025, governors from New Jersey, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan and Connecticut petitioned the EPA to request nationwide monitoring by adding microplastics to the UCMR. The EPA's proposed UCMR 6 is currently under White House review and is expected to be finalized by the end of 2026.

Research conducted to date indicates microplastics can harm human health, and exposure occurs most often through drinking water and other beverages, breathing air and consuming food. Their size and shape can lead to cellular and tissue damage, and they have been found in all human organ systems, including the brain. In addition, microplastics can act as vectors for toxic chemicals to enter the human body, compounding exposure. Microplastics are linked to reduced birth weight, prematurity, deficits in brain development, respiratory issues, allergies, metabolic effects, reproductive system alterations, and systemic effects such as inflammation, oxidative stress and multi-organ toxicity.

Today's comment letter notes that babies and children are at greater risk of exposure to microplastics than adults. This exposure begins in utero, since microplastics can transfer through the placenta. Microplastics have been found in placental tissue, amniotic fluid, cord blood and meconium, and are associated with impaired fetal growth and shortened gestational duration. Additional exposures occur after birth, such as through human breast milk, dairy products, drinking water and food products. Overall, children are exposed to microplastics through diet, feeding equipment, toys and inhalation of airborne particles.

Joining Attorney General Raoul in submitting the comments are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin.

***

Original text here: https://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/news/story/attorney-general-raoul-supports-epa-research-on-the-harms-of-microplastics-in-drinking-water-calls-for-additional-monitoring-of-public-water-systems

Existing Customer Login