Targeted News Service

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 1 -- Utah Attorney General Derek Brown posted the following news on April 30, 2026:

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Utah-Led Coalition to Secure Final Approval in $700 Million Google Settlement over App Store Monopoly

Today, a federal court stated that it will approve a $700 million settlement in a Utah-led antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit challenged Google's control over Android app distribution and in-app payments. The approval of the settlement ends a five-year case and gives relief to consumers nationwide who were affected by Google's actions.

Most of the settlement funds ... Show Full Article SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 1 -- Utah Attorney General Derek Brown posted the following news on April 30, 2026: * * * Utah-Led Coalition to Secure Final Approval in $700 Million Google Settlement over App Store Monopoly Today, a federal court stated that it will approve a $700 million settlement in a Utah-led antitrust lawsuit against Google. The lawsuit challenged Google's control over Android app distribution and in-app payments. The approval of the settlement ends a five-year case and gives relief to consumers nationwide who were affected by Google's actions. Most of the settlement fundswill go directly to people who made purchases on Google Play between August 2016 and September 2023. Most recipients won't need to fill out a claim form and will receive their payments through PayPal or Venmo.

If consumers don't have access to PayPal or Venmo, they can file a claim through a separate process to receive their payment.

Utah led a group of states and territories in challenging Google's monopoly. Attorney General Derek Brown said Google's system blocked competition and forced consumers to pay more. Now, over 100 million Americans will receive money back, and Google will have to change how it operates.

The settlement forces Google to update its business practices. For at least five years, app developers may use alternate payment systems, inform customers about lower prices outside Google's billing system, and list their apps on competing stores without fear of retaliation. Android users can download apps from outside the Play Store for at least seven years.

In 2021, Utah and a bipartisan group of 52 attorneys general sued Google for illegally dominating Android app distribution and for charging consumers up to 30% per transaction.

Additional information about the lawsuit and settlement is available on the settlement website (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.googleplaystateagantitrustlitigation.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cheseariac%40agutah.gov%7C60b737478e454f73b1ae08dea6f5a31e%7Ccf2d8167d3f44409a289d4b0ad0ce47a%7C0%7C0%7C639131771100259285%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=cMgcrKc%2FPmSh%2FwEowiyCiBMYSGFrlbveGIjnWoMWxWA%3D&reserved=0).

Attorney General Derek Brown joined this effort alongside the attorneys general of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Original text here: https://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/google-app-store-monopoly/

Okla. A.G. Drummond Requests State Audit of Oklahoma Health Care Authority

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 1 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on April 30, 2026:

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Drummond requests state audit of Oklahoma Health Care Authority

Attorney General Gentner Drummond formally requested that State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd conduct an independent audit of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA). The request reflects mounting provider complaints and OHCA's repeated failure to respond adequately to the AG's formal inquiries about the state's contracted managed care organizations (MCOs).

The letter dated April 24 details ... Show Full Article OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 1 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on April 30, 2026: * * * Drummond requests state audit of Oklahoma Health Care Authority Attorney General Gentner Drummond formally requested that State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd conduct an independent audit of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA). The request reflects mounting provider complaints and OHCA's repeated failure to respond adequately to the AG's formal inquiries about the state's contracted managed care organizations (MCOs). The letter dated April 24 detailsa pattern of payment delays, claims processing failures, inappropriate denials of medically necessary services and a lack of substantive corrective action by OHCA. The three MCOs contracted to administer Oklahoma's Medicaid managed care program are Humana, Aetna, and Oklahoma Complete Health.

Drummond wrote in the letter, "Oklahoma's second experiment with managed care Medicaid is failing to deliver on its promises. Providers are reducing staff. Patients are being denied essential care. Out-of-state corporations are controlling access to critical services without accountability..."

Drummond demanded corrective action from OHCA Chief Executive Officer Clay Bullard on three occasions after sending formal correspondence documenting systemic failures in the managed care program. Despite repeated requests for written responses, OHCA provided only verbal assurances and, on April 10, responded by defending the MCOs and citing high claim approval rates rather than identifying specific corrective measures, all while acknowledging that "issues need to be fixed."

"When an agency entrusted with Oklahoma's most vulnerable citizens refuses to hold billion-dollar corporations accountable, it falls to this office to act," said Drummond. "Providers across this state have been sounding the alarm for months. Oklahoma patients are being denied care they are legally entitled to, and OHCA has chosen to defend the MCOs rather than the people it serves. An independent audit is not only warranted - it is essential to restore accountability and protect public funds."

Read the Audit Request Letter (https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/april/Letter_Audit%20Request%20re%20OHCA_042426.pdf)

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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/april/drummond-requests-state-audit-of-oklahoma-health-care-authority.html

Okla. A.G. Drummond Comments on Court Ruling in Epic Charter Schools Case

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 1 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on April 30, 2026:

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Drummond comments on court ruling in Epic Charter Schools case

Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised a court ruling that cleared the way for the prosecution of Epic Charter School co-founders Ben Harris and David Chaney to move forward.

"This is a decisive ruling, and the defendants should take note: their attempts to escape accountability have failed," Drummond said.

"We will not be deterred. The facts will come out, and justice will be served."

Harris ... Show Full Article

N.J. Bureau of Securities Takes Action to Shut Down Investment Fraud Scheme Being Carried Out In WhatsApp Chat Group

TRENTON, New Jersey, May 1 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 30, 2026:

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NJ Bureau of Securities Takes Action to Shut Down Investment Fraud Scheme Being Carried Out In WhatsApp Chat Group

Victims in New Jersey and California Lured In by Promotions on Instagram and WhatsApp

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NEWARK -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) today announced action by the Bureau of Securities (Bureau) to shut down an investment fraud scheme being carried out in a WhatsApp chat group.

In a Cease and Desist ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, May 1 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 30, 2026: * * * NJ Bureau of Securities Takes Action to Shut Down Investment Fraud Scheme Being Carried Out In WhatsApp Chat Group Victims in New Jersey and California Lured In by Promotions on Instagram and WhatsApp * NEWARK -- Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) today announced action by the Bureau of Securities (Bureau) to shut down an investment fraud scheme being carried out in a WhatsApp chat group. In a Cease and DesistOrder issued today, the Bureau ordered online entity Titan Macro Finance (Titan Macro) to stop violating New Jersey's Uniform Securities Law by fraudulently offering opportunities to earn high profits from trading sham securities and other financial products through public websites that appear briefly, then shut down and reappear under new web addresses. As a result of Titan Macro's scheme, at least one New Jersey investor lost $64,000.

The action is part of Attorney General Davenport's ongoing efforts to protect New Jerseyans' hard-earned money and make everyday life more affordable for them.

"Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that can't go toward rent, groceries, or saving for the future," said Attorney General Davenport. "By shutting down these schemes and educating the public on how to spot and avoid them, we're helping families keep more of what they earn and strengthening financial security across our communities."

"Social media platforms don't just show posts from friends anymore, they push content from strangers promoting ways to become rich and successful, which many people find hard to resist," said Jeremy E. Hollander, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. "Today, as our Bureau of Securities takes action to shut down a scheme that has cost at least one New Jersey resident a significant sum, we're reminding people to be extremely wary of investment opportunities being pitched online. Unfortunately, in many cases, the only people making money are the scammers behind them."

The Cease and Desist Order revealed that advertisements on Instagram promoting investment opportunities connected investors to a WhatsApp investment chat group called "Capital Strategy Forum 1" run by Titan Macro, operating as an unregistered broker-dealer. In the chat group, Titan Macro associates act as "trading mentors" and advise group members on the "hottest" markets to invest in, including energy, real estate, and technology, and provide them with trading strategies, including recommendations on buying, holding, and liquidating stock positions.

Under the guidance of the trading mentors, group members are encouraged to open and fund Titan Macro investment accounts. Once the accounts are initially funded, the trading mentors encourage investors to deposit additional funds by displaying "trading profits" in the investors' accounts and initially permit the free withdrawal of nominal amounts from the account. However, after investors deposit more funds and the purported profits continue to increase, Titan Macro demands a previously undisclosed tax and management fee for investors to access their monies. Even after investors pay the fee, Titan Macro closes and blocks further access to investors' accounts and ceases all communication with them.

"The Titan Macro scheme is a typical example of how these scammers operate," said Acting Bureau Chief Keith A. Alt. "Victims think they are receiving sound investment advice, but nothing could be further from the truth. We will continue to protect investors by taking action to halt these schemes and raising public awareness of the risks associated with investment ventures promoted on social media."

The Bureau issued its enforcement action against Titan Macro in tandem with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, which similarly ordered Titan Macro LTD aka Titan Macro Finance to desist and refrain from fraudulently offering and selling commodities in violation of the California Commodity Code of 1990. One California investor, who was lured by a promotion on WhatsApp, lost $20,316 in the scheme.

The Bureau's action was handled by Supervising Investigators Myles Orosco and Rachel Glasgow and Investigator Marc Kollie.

The Bureau is charged with protecting investors from investment fraud and regulating the securities industry in New Jersey. It is critical that investors "Check Before You Invest." Investors can obtain information, including the registration status and disciplinary history, of any financial professional doing business to or from New Jersey, by contacting the Bureau toll-free within New Jersey at 1-866-I-INVEST (1-866-446-8378) or from outside New Jersey at (973) 504-3600, or by visiting the Bureau's website at www.NJSecurities.gov. Investors can also contact the Bureau for assistance or to raise issues or complaints about New Jersey-based financial professionals or investments.

Cease and Desist Order (https://www.njoag.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-0430_Titan-Macro-CD-executed.pdf)

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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/nj-bureau-of-securities-takes-action-to-shut-down-investment-fraud-scheme-being-carried-out-in-whatsapp-chat-group/

N.J. A.G. Davenport: Former Candidate for Plainfield Mayor Pleads Guilty to Forgery in Connection With His Submission of Fraudulent Voter Registration Applications

TRENTON, New Jersey, May 1 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 30, 2026:

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Former Candidate for Plainfield Mayor Pleads Guilty to Forgery in Connection with His Submission of Fraudulent Voter Registration Applications

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced that a former mayoral candidate in Plainfield has entered a guilty plea after he attempted to file numerous fraudulent voter registration applications in connection with a June 2021 city election.

Henrilynn Ibezim, 71, of Plainfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on April ... Show Full Article TRENTON, New Jersey, May 1 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on April 30, 2026: * * * Former Candidate for Plainfield Mayor Pleads Guilty to Forgery in Connection with His Submission of Fraudulent Voter Registration Applications Attorney General Jennifer Davenport today announced that a former mayoral candidate in Plainfield has entered a guilty plea after he attempted to file numerous fraudulent voter registration applications in connection with a June 2021 city election. Henrilynn Ibezim, 71, of Plainfield, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on April27, 2026, during a hearing before Judge Candido Rodriguez, Jr. in New Jersey Superior Court in Union County. The defendant admitted to count five of the indictment against him, charging him with one count of third-degree forgery.

Under the terms of his plea agreement with the Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), the State agreed to dismiss the remaining counts in the indictment and to not prosecute the defendant for any other disclosed criminal violations arising out of his conduct during the Democratic primary for mayor in June 2021. Prosecutors will recommend that Ibezim be sentenced to a term of probation to be set by the court at sentencing, which is scheduled for June 18, 2026.

"My office is determined to ensure elections are fair and that their outcomes are determined by the will of the voters," said Attorney General Davenport. "It is crucial to our system of government that those who engage in illegal and bad faith conduct during elections be held accountable. Failing to do so opens the door to a loss of public confidence in the democratic process."

As set forth in publicly filed documents in the case, Ibezim allegedly brought a garbage bag containing approximately 1,000 falsified voter registration applications to an Elizabeth post office, intending to mail the documents to the Union County Commissioner of Registration.

As alleged, Ibezim created and attempted to submit false voter registration applications containing the personal identifying information of individuals without their authorization. Many of the applications had the handwriting of only three or four writers. The applications did not state, as required, that they were completed by anyone other than the voter for whom the application was purportedly submitted.

The plea was accepted by Deputy Attorney General Kelly Amorim for the OPIA Corruption Bureau.

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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/former-candidate-for-plainfield-mayor-pleads-guilty-to-forgery-in-connection-with-his-submission-of-fraudulent-voter-registration-applications/

Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces Nearly 10 Year Sentence for Fentanyl Trafficker in Pima County

PHOENIX, Arizona, May 1 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on April 30, 2026:

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Attorney General Mayes Announces Nearly 10 Year Sentence for Fentanyl Trafficker in Pima County

The Arizona Attorney General's Office announces that Steven Carrillo was sentenced in Pima County Superior Court on April 20, 2026, to 9.75 years in prison.

"Fentanyl continues to devastate Arizona communities," said Attorney General Mayes. "My office will continue to aggressively go after those who flood our state with this deadly drug."

Carrillo pleaded guilty to Attempted ... Show Full Article

A.G. Jones Announces Proceedings to Collect on Largest Fair Housing Jury Verdict in Virginia

RICHMOND, Virginia, May 1 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on April 30, 2026:

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Attorney General Jay Jones Announces Proceedings to Collect on Largest Fair Housing Jury Verdict in Virginia

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. -- Attorney General Jay Jones announced that his office has begun proceedings to collect on a jury's verdict in a historic fair housing race discrimination lawsuit. This is the largest fair housing jury verdict the office has secured to date, with the defendant's bill now exceeding $1 million.

In February 2025, a jury ruled that two families ... Show Full Article RICHMOND, Virginia, May 1 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on April 30, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jay Jones Announces Proceedings to Collect on Largest Fair Housing Jury Verdict in Virginia FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. -- Attorney General Jay Jones announced that his office has begun proceedings to collect on a jury's verdict in a historic fair housing race discrimination lawsuit. This is the largest fair housing jury verdict the office has secured to date, with the defendant's bill now exceeding $1 million. In February 2025, a jury ruled that two familiesbe awarded $750,000 after the defendant and owner of Lazy Cove Campground, Regina Turner, discriminated against them by evicting the families after learning that one of the campers was Black. Turner has failed to comply with a subsequent Circuit Court order demanding payment, bringing the bill to the historic sum and now the Office of the Attorney General filed a new suit to foreclose on the property to collect on that judgement. That property, 18-acres of waterfront on a peninsula in Smith Mountain Lake, is up for a Special Commissioner's auction on June 10, 2026, through Woltz & Associates.

"The protections guaranteed to all under the Fair Housing Act and strengthened by the Virginia Fair Housing Law, are to protect people in moments just like this," said Attorney General Jay Jones. "Acts of discrimination will not be tolerated by this office and we will make sure that these families see every cent owed to them"

In 2020, a couple who had their camper on one of Turner's lots encouraged their friends, an interracial married couple with a young son, to buy a camper near them on the property. The wife, who is white, negotiated a lease with Turner. But when Turner learned the husband was Black, she made plans to evict both families even saying she would not have rented to them had she known the husband was Black.

Both couples testified to the harm Turner's appalling conduct caused them and their families. The jury took less than two hours to return a verdict, awarding $100,000 to each couple to compensate them for their losses and the humiliation and emotional toll they endured. The jury awarded an additional $550,000 in punitive damages, which are intended to punish wrongdoing and deter future discrimination.

The case is Commonwealth of Virginia ex rel. Fair Housing Board v. Regina Turner, (Franklin County Nos. CL23005198-00, CL23005485-00). The office is represented by Senior Assistant Attorneys General Todd M. Shockley, Palmer T. Heenan, III, and Assistant Attorney General Brittany "Elle" Hinton.

If you believe your rights have been violated, you have options:

* File a complaint within one year with the Virginia Fair Housing Office or your local fair housing agency.

* File a lawsuit in court within two years of the last discriminatory act.

* If you have a question or concerns about your fair housing rights, contact the Virginia Fair Housing Office.

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Original text here: https://www.oag.state.va.us/media-center/news-releases/3015-attorney-general-jay-jones-announces-proceedings-to-collect-on-largest-fair-housing-jury-verdict-in-virginia

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