Featured Stories
Attorney General Bonta Secures Major Court Victory Protecting Gender-Affirming Care Under the Affordable Care Act
SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 15 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Secures Major Court Victory Protecting Gender-Affirming Care Under the Affordable Care Act
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OAKLAND -Co-leading a multistate coalition alongside the attorneys general of Massachusetts and New Jersey, California Attorney General Rob Bonta yesterday secured a major victory after the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down a key provision of a Trump Administration final rule that would have excluded coverage of certain types of gender-affirming
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SACRAMENTO, California, Aug. 15 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Bonta Secures Major Court Victory Protecting Gender-Affirming Care Under the Affordable Care Act
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OAKLAND -Co-leading a multistate coalition alongside the attorneys general of Massachusetts and New Jersey, California Attorney General Rob Bonta yesterday secured a major victory after the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down a key provision of a Trump Administration final rule that would have excluded coverage of certain types of gender-affirmingcare as essential health benefits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Essential health benefits are subject to the ACA's financial protections, including limits on out-of-pocket costs.
"Everyone deserves access to health coverage," said Attorney General Bonta. "The Trump Administration tried to exclude gender-affirming care from qualifying as an essential health benefit. We fought back, and the court's ruling means this care can -and in many states must -qualify for the ACA's financial protections, ensuring transgender people have an equal opportunity to benefit from the ACA."
The final rule at issue -the "Marketplace Integrity and Affordability" rule -was proposed by the Trump Administration in March 2025 to curb alleged ACA enrollment fraud and reduce federal spending on subsidies that help consumers afford ACA coverage. Among other changes, the rule would have removed certain types of gender-affirming care from the ACA's 10 essential health benefit categories.
In July 2025, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition filed a lawsuit challenging nine separate provisions of the final rule, arguing that they would make it harder for consumers to get coverage through the ACA, increase costs for states, and weaken key ACA protections. Seven were later vacated in separate litigation, City of Columbus et al. v. Kennedy et al., in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Yesterday, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the Trump Administration unlawfully modified the categories of essential health benefits without following the proper procedures the ACA requires.
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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-secures-major-court-victory-protecting-gender-affirming
Okla. A.G. Drummond's Multi-County Grand Jury Indicts Attorney Accused of Helping Former Death Row Inmate Conceal Contraband Phone
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Aug. 14 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Drummond's Multi-County Grand Jury indicts attorney accused of helping former death row inmate conceal contraband phone
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Multi-County Grand Jury has indicted an Alabama attorney accused of helping former death row inmate Tremane Wood conceal a contraband cell phone while he was incarcerated at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Robin Corinne Konrad, 50, an attorney licensed to practice in Alabama, is charged with one felony count
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Aug. 14 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Drummond's Multi-County Grand Jury indicts attorney accused of helping former death row inmate conceal contraband phone
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Multi-County Grand Jury has indicted an Alabama attorney accused of helping former death row inmate Tremane Wood conceal a contraband cell phone while he was incarcerated at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Robin Corinne Konrad, 50, an attorney licensed to practice in Alabama, is charged with one felony countof Accessory to Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution and one misdemeanor count of Unlawful Communication with a Convict.
According to the indictment, Konrad communicated with Wood on an unauthorized cell phone and directed him to hide the device in an effort to prevent its discovery. She also is accused of unlawfully communicating with Wood between March 17 and June 26, 2025, without authorization by law or consent of the warden. The indictment alleges that on or about March 26, 2025, Konrad aided Wood after he committed the felony crime of Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution.
"Helping an inmate conceal contraband and evade detection is a serious violation of the law, and an attorney especially should know better," Drummond said. "No one is above the law, and my office will hold accountable anyone who helps undermine the safety and security of Oklahoma's correctional facilities."
Tremane Wood was sentenced to death for stabbing and killing 19-year-old Ronnie Wipf on New Year's Day in 2002 during a robbery in Oklahoma City. During his time in prison, Wood has possessed multiple contraband cell phones that he used to distribute drugs and engage in gang violence. Gov. Kevin Stitt granted Wood clemency in November 2025.
This case was investigated by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and filed in Pittsburg County District Court. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Read the Indictment (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/august/Indictment%20for%20Robin%20Konrad%20%20CF-2026-202.pdf)
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/august/multi-county-grand-jury-indicts-attorney-accused-of-helping-former-death-row-inmate-conceal-contraband.html
Md. A.G. Brown Sues Trump Administration for Unlawfully Demanding Personal Information of CDL Drivers
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Aug. 14 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Sues Trump Administration for Unlawfully Demanding Personal Information of CDL Drivers
Administration Threatens to Withhold $10 Million in Federal Funding Unless Sensitive Information of Millions of Drivers is Turned Over
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general and the state of Pennsylvania today in filing two lawsuits against the Trump administration for demanding production of a database of state-owned
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Aug. 14 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Sues Trump Administration for Unlawfully Demanding Personal Information of CDL Drivers
Administration Threatens to Withhold $10 Million in Federal Funding Unless Sensitive Information of Millions of Drivers is Turned Over
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general and the state of Pennsylvania today in filing two lawsuits against the Trump administration for demanding production of a database of state-ownedrecords containing the sensitive personal information of millions of drivers s and threatening to terminate more than $10 million in federal funding to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) if it refuses.
Attorney General Brown and the coalition filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is an administration of the DOT and AAMVA, as well as a second, related lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The lawsuits claim the DOT, FMSCA, and DHS are violating multiple federal privacy laws, among other federal laws, by secretly setting up their own database with records extorted from AAMVA, with no guardrails on the use or sharing of drivers' Social Security numbers and other personal information, and no notice to the public.
"Once again, the Trump administration is trying to unlawfully seize Marylanders' personal data with no legitimate purpose, no safeguards to protect it, and no warning to the public or consultation with the states," said Attorney General Brown. "We are joining this lawsuit because this data belongs to the states, and the federal government cannot force another party to hand it over without lawful justification."
In 1986, Congress established the Commercial Driver's License Information System (CDLIS) to provide states an efficient means of sharing information about commercial driver's license (CDL) applicants and determining if the applicant is licensed in another state. Since 1988, the DOT has contracted with AAMVA, a private nonprofit organization, to operate CDLIS for the benefit of the states.
To approve a CDL application, Attorney General Brown and the attorneys general explain in the lawsuits, states validate the driver's identity, medical fitness, immigration status and each applicant's licensing and driving history in any state where the driver could have been licensed. This important public safety work is the responsibility of the states, not the federal government. Once a license is issued, states maintain a record in CDLIS of each driver that includes personally identifiable information such as the driver's name, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number and the name of state that provided the record.
Despite the states owning the personal data stored in CDLIS, FMSCA sent a letter to AAMVA, making the unprecedented demand that AAMVA turn over data for every driver in CDLIS going back five years. When AAMVA voiced its concerns about the new directive, FMSCA made an explicit threat to terminate all of AAMVA's federal grants and contracts. Faced with that threat, which could shut down CDLIS altogether, Attorney General Brown and the coalition seek an emergency order to prevent the data from being turned over. Relatedly, DHS sent an administrative subpoena to AAMVA demanding the same data set.
Attorney General Brown has joined fellow state attorneys general in several legal challenges against the Trump administration's attempts to unlawfully use Americans' personal data for undisclosed purposes, including immigration enforcement.
Joining Attorney General Brown in filing this lawsuit are attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as the state of Pennsylvania.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Sues-Trump-Administration-for-Unlawfully-Demanding-Personal-Information-of-CDL-Drivers-.aspx
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Sues MV Realty for Predatory Scheme Targeting Financially Vulnerable Homeowners, Violating Consumer Fraud Laws
PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 14 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Sues MV Realty for Predatory Scheme Targeting Financially Vulnerable Homeowners, Violating Consumer Fraud Laws
Attorney General Kris Mayes announced today that her office filed a lawsuit under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and Arizona Telephone Solicitations Statutes against MV Realty of Arizona, LLC; MV Brokerage of Arizona, LLC; MV Realty PBC, LLC, and other related entities, and their corporate officers Antony Mitchell, Amanda Zachman, and David
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 14 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 13, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Sues MV Realty for Predatory Scheme Targeting Financially Vulnerable Homeowners, Violating Consumer Fraud Laws
Attorney General Kris Mayes announced today that her office filed a lawsuit under the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act and Arizona Telephone Solicitations Statutes against MV Realty of Arizona, LLC; MV Brokerage of Arizona, LLC; MV Realty PBC, LLC, and other related entities, and their corporate officers Antony Mitchell, Amanda Zachman, and DavidManchester.
The State's Complaint alleges that MV Realty operated a predatory scheme that provided immediate cash payments to financially vulnerable homeowners in exchange for the exclusive right to be their listing agent if they ever sold their homes.
MV Realty misled homeowners about the terms of its "Homeowner Benefit Program" and deceptively recorded Memorandums that functioned as liens on Arizona homeowners' property records, which prevented homeowners and their successors from transferring their homes unless they paid MV Realty thousands of dollars in so-called "Early Termination Fees." The Memorandums could also impede homeowners from refinancing their homes or getting home equity loans.
"MV Realty misled homeowners about the true nature of the Homeowner Benefit Program. Arizona homeowners who fell victim to MV Realty's deceptive sales practices were trapped by the liens placed on their homes and stripped of their hard-earned equity," said Attorney General Mayes. "My office will not allow predatory companies to take advantage of and profit from Arizona homeowners by making false promises."
According to the complaint, Defendants widely and aggressively marketed the Homeowner Benefit Program in Arizona using deceptive online, telephonic, and digital marketing, including illegal telemarketing to consumers registered on the National Do Not Call Registry. MV Realty did not disclose the true nature of the deal or its predatory terms. Among other things, it did not disclose that there will be a lien placed against the home, that there is a 40-year contract term, that the agreement is binding on a homeowner's heirs, or that homeowners will have to pay a large Early Termination Fee if the homeowner lists the property for sale with another real estate agent, transfers title to a family member, or simply wishes to cancel the agreement.
The State's complaint seeks civil penalties, restitution, and injunctive relief, including terminations of the Memorandums recorded against homeowners' properties.
This case is being handled for the Arizona Attorney General's Office by Assistant Attorneys General John Raymond Dillon IV, Alyse Meislik, and Amanda Salvione.
If you believe you are a victim of consumer fraud, you can file a complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office. You can also contact the Consumer Information and Complaints Unit in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763; in Tucson at (520) 628-6648; and outside of the metro Phoenix area at (800) 352-8431.
A copy of the complaint (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=786030e8ed&e=9153ff6c96) is available. Exhibit A (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=73c3e9a1e4&e=9153ff6c96) and exhibit B (https://azag.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cc1fad182b6d6f8b1e352e206&id=f5b537ecc2&e=9153ff6c96) are also available.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-sues-mv-realty-predatory-scheme-targeting-financially
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Sentencing of Former Border Patrol Agent and Fiancee for Defrauding SNAP, WIC Programs
PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 14 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Sentencing of Former Border Patrol Agent and Fiancee for Defrauding SNAP, WIC Programs
YUMA - Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that a Yuma County Superior Court judge on August 12, 2026, sentenced a now former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent Saul Rivas Hau and his fiancee, Hilda Sanchez, to 36 months of supervised probation and ordered them to pay $26,424 in restitution after both pleaded guilty to class 4 felony Theft, which occurred
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 14 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces Sentencing of Former Border Patrol Agent and Fiancee for Defrauding SNAP, WIC Programs
YUMA - Attorney General Kris Mayes announced that a Yuma County Superior Court judge on August 12, 2026, sentenced a now former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent Saul Rivas Hau and his fiancee, Hilda Sanchez, to 36 months of supervised probation and ordered them to pay $26,424 in restitution after both pleaded guilty to class 4 felony Theft, which occurredwhen Hau was employed by CBP.
"Programs like SNAP and WIC exist to help Arizona families put food on the table -- not to be exploited for personal gain," said Attorney General Mayes. "My office will continue working with our federal and state partners to hold accountable anyone who defrauds these important programs."
A state grand jury had indicted Hau and Sanchez on multiple charges, including conspiracy, fraudulent schemes and artifices, theft, and forgery. The indictment alleged the pair conspired to defraud the Arizona Department of Economic Security (AZDES) by unlawfully obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits between March 11, 2022, and August 30, 2025, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits between February 13, 2023, and January 16, 2024. The total loss to the programs exceeded $25,000.
The case was investigated by the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility (CBP OPR), the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General (USDA OIG), and AZDES, with support from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS).
Assistant Attorney General Mariana B. Sanchez prosecuted the case.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-sentencing-former-border-patrol-agent-and-fiancee
AG's first-ever Data Privacy Report identifies policy priorities and recommendations
OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 14 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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AG's first-ever Data Privacy Report identifies policy priorities and recommendations
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Attorney General Nick Brown today released the first-ever Washington State Attorney General's Data Privacy Report. The report examines how the data economy incentivizes the collection and retention of personal information, the potential harms that result from these incentives - such as data breaches, surveillance, and harassment - and makes recommendations to address these harms by strengthening
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OLYMPIA, Washington, Aug. 14 -- Washington state Attorney General Nick Brown issued the following news release:
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AG's first-ever Data Privacy Report identifies policy priorities and recommendations
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Attorney General Nick Brown today released the first-ever Washington State Attorney General's Data Privacy Report. The report examines how the data economy incentivizes the collection and retention of personal information, the potential harms that result from these incentives - such as data breaches, surveillance, and harassment - and makes recommendations to address these harms by strengtheningprivacy protections, enforcement, and public education.
"Personal information has become one of the most valuable assets in the modern economy. Yet many Washingtonians report having little control over who holds their data or how it is used," Brown said. "I encourage everyone to use this report to help build a more transparent, accountable, secure, and consumer-centered approach to handling personal information across Washington."
The report identifies four recurring concerns in the modern data economy:
* Overcollection and secondary use of personal information
* Weak consent requirements and deceptive design
* The collection and sale of sensitive data
* A lack of transparency in the data-broker industry
Those practices can create significant risks for Washingtonians. In 2025, the Attorney General's Office (AGO) received reports of 209 data breaches affecting more than 8 million Washington residents. More than 80% of the reported breaches exposed Social Security numbers, increasing the risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and impersonation.
A 2025 AGO survey shows that data privacy is a key concern of Washingtonians. Based on responses from over 700 residents in 26 counties, the survey found that 83% of respondents felt they had little or no control over who could access their personal information. Ninety-five percent said there was no circumstance in which they would be comfortable having their information collected, shared, or sold without informed consent.
Based on these findings and follow-up outreach and research, the report recommends action in three areas: strengthening baseline protections for personal data, bolstering privacy enforcement and institutional capacity, and raising the baseline of digital literacy in Washington.
Following the report's publication, the AGO plans to work with consumer advocates and business associations to develop plain-language public resources to explain:
* How personal data is collected, shared, and sold
* How to secure devices, manage privacy settings, understand cookies, and recognize deceptive design practices
* How small businesses can understand their privacy obligations and reduce data security risks
A copy of the Washington State Attorney General's Data Privacy Report is available here.
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Washington's Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state's largest law firm, the Attorney General's Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington's 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.
Media Contact:
Email: press@atg.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 753-2727
General contacts: Click here
Media Resource Guide & Attorney General's Office FAQ
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Original text here: https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-s-first-ever-data-privacy-report-identifies-policy-priorities-and
AG Nessel Recognizes Significant Achievements of Child Support Unit
LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 14 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Recognizes Significant Achievements of Child Support Unit
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LANSING - In recognition of Child Support Awareness Month, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is recognizing the significant achievements of the Child Support Unit of the Financial Crimes Division, which has been instrumental in identifying parents throughout the State who are capable of paying child support but deliberately refuse to do so. Since its establishment in 2003, the Child Support Unit has made significant
... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, Aug. 14 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:
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AG Nessel Recognizes Significant Achievements of Child Support Unit
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LANSING - In recognition of Child Support Awareness Month, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is recognizing the significant achievements of the Child Support Unit of the Financial Crimes Division, which has been instrumental in identifying parents throughout the State who are capable of paying child support but deliberately refuse to do so. Since its establishment in 2003, the Child Support Unit has made significantstrides in combating the problem of unpaid child support through its partnership with the Friend of the Court. The division has successfully collected more than $470 million in unpaid child support, directly benefitting nearly 31,500 children statewide. This fiscal year alone, the division has recovered more than $22 million to date.
"The Child Support Unit does incredible work day in and day out to support Michigan families," said Attorney General Nessel. "When parents who are able to pay refuse to do so, it's the children who bear the burden and are deprived of essentials they need to thrive. We remain committed to working with our partners across the state to help kids receive the support they deserve and hold those who willfully disregard their responsibilities accountable."
The Child Support Unit addresses financial disparities facing single-parent households, where 23.4% of single mothers and 11.4% of single fathers with children nationwide live below the poverty line according to 2020 Census data. The unit focuses on parents with a history of non-payment and significant arrearages of at least $5,000 or 24 months of substantial non-payment, whichever is greater. By focusing on those who are financially capable but unwilling to pay child support, the division upholds the integrity of the Court's orders and reinforces the importance of parental responsibility. Failing to pay child support is a felony punishable by up to 4 years of incarceration or by a fine of not more than $2,000, or both.
The Child Support Unit is funded through an interagency agreement with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Support with 66% federal funding and 34% State of Michigan funding. In addition to benefitting Michigan's children, the unit's efforts also provide financial relief to the State. By recovering funds that were paid as cash assistance provided to custodial parents, the unit not only covers its operating costs, but also returns revenue to the State. The unit recovers over $5 for every dollar spent.
Custodial parents who have experienced a history of non-payment and are owed significant back child support can file a complaint online with the Department of Attorney General's Child Support Unit or call 517-335-7560.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/08/14/ag-nessel-recognizes-significant-achievements-of-child-support-unit
