Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
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S.D. A.G. Jackley Announces Major March Accomplishments by AG's Criminal Division
PIERRE, South Dakota, March 26 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on March 25, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces Major March Accomplishments by AG's Criminal Division
Attorney General Marty Jackley announces significant accomplishments by the Attorney General's Criminal Division throughout the month of March, highlighting a series of major jury trials, homicide verdicts, and statewide collaboration among prosecutors and law enforcement.
"This has been an extraordinary month of trial work across South Dakota," said Attorney General Jackley.
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PIERRE, South Dakota, March 26 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on March 25, 2026:
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Attorney General Jackley Announces Major March Accomplishments by AG's Criminal Division
Attorney General Marty Jackley announces significant accomplishments by the Attorney General's Criminal Division throughout the month of March, highlighting a series of major jury trials, homicide verdicts, and statewide collaboration among prosecutors and law enforcement.
"This has been an extraordinary month of trial work across South Dakota," said Attorney General Jackley."Our Criminal Division has taken on multiple complex and violent crime prosecutions at once, delivering justice for victims while demonstrating exceptional professionalism and teamwork."
Throughout March, the Division managed several high stakes jury trials simultaneously, including:
Pennington County Double Homicide
A two week jury trial resulted in convictions for all three defendants responsible for the double murder. Sentencing was imposed March 13, with Montell Olivera receiving three life sentences, and co defendants Dillon Wilson and Erin Provancial each receiving life sentences. This case was one of the most significant homicide prosecutions handled by the Division in recent years and required extensive coordination across offices.
Minnehaha County Penitentiary Violence
On March 12, a jury convicted Jeremiah Hart of two counts of Aggravated Assault and one count of First Degree Robbery related to a stabbing and robbery inside the penitentiary. Sentencing will proceed following completion of the Pre-Sentence Investigation.
Union County Attempted Murder of Law Enforcement Officers
On March 18, a jury convicted Samir Albaidhani of seven felony counts, including three counts of Attempted First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer, three counts of Aggravated Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer, and Aggravated Eluding. Sentencing is scheduled for June 1.
Turner County Triple Homicide Trial
On March 20, a jury convicted Jay Ostrem of three counts of First Degree Murder that occurred in Centerville. Sentencing is scheduled for May 14.
"Managing a statewide trial schedule of this magnitude takes a deep bench, strong preparation, and unwavering teamwork. I am grateful for the office's attorneys and staff across divisions who stepped in to support one another and ensure that every case received the attention it deserved," Jackley said.
The Attorney General also noted that this month's results reflect the Division's commitment to protecting South Dakota communities and delivering justice for victims and law enforcement.
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Original text here: https://atg.sd.gov/OurOffice/Media/pressreleasesdetail.aspx?id=3041
Md. A.G. Brown Calls on Congress to Close Loophole Enabling Federal Mass Surveillance of Americans
BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 26 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 25, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Calls on Congress to Close Loophole Enabling Federal Mass Surveillance of Americans
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general urging Congress to take immediate action to halt federal agencies' use of commercially purchased data and artificial intelligence (AI) tools that enable mass surveillance of Americans without judicial, legislative, or public oversight. The letter (https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Calls-on-Congress-to-Close-Loophole-Enabling-Federal-Mass-Surveillance-of-Americans-.aspx)
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, March 26 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on March 25, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Calls on Congress to Close Loophole Enabling Federal Mass Surveillance of Americans
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general urging Congress to take immediate action to halt federal agencies' use of commercially purchased data and artificial intelligence (AI) tools that enable mass surveillance of Americans without judicial, legislative, or public oversight. The letter (https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Calls-on-Congress-to-Close-Loophole-Enabling-Federal-Mass-Surveillance-of-Americans-.aspx)calls on Congress to close the data broker loophole, require warrants for federal access to Americans' digital data, prevent domestic surveillance via foreign intelligence laws, mandate deletion of unlawfully collected information and related AI models, and establish nationwide transparency and accountability standards for data brokers.
In the letter sent to the leadership of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Attorney General Brown and the coalition of attorneys general warn that federal agencies are exploiting a "data broker loophole" to obtain detailed information about Americans' movements, associations, political activity, and daily lives - information the government would otherwise be required to obtain through a warrant or through other legal procedures.
The attorneys general cite recent examples - including federal agencies' purchase of billions of airline ticketing records and mobile location data from commercial brokers - that reveal a pattern of warrantless surveillance through the acquisition of massive datasets. Several of these practices have already drawn bipartisan concern in Congress and the public after media reporting uncovered the federal government's ability to track individuals' travel, movements, and daily routines.
The letter highlights that current statutory protections, including the Privacy Act of 1974 and the E Government Act, are outdated and fail to address modern realities in which AI tools can rapidly re identify "pseudonymized" datasets and assemble intimate profiles of individuals without their knowledge or consent. Federal agencies have repeatedly failed to comply with existing privacy requirements, according to recent Inspector General reports.
The coalition calls on Congress to enact comprehensive reforms, including measures that would:
* Prohibit federal agencies from purchasing data that would otherwise require a warrant to obtain;
* Require judicial warrants before accessing Americans' web browsing activity, search queries, and location information;
* Ensure intelligence agencies cannot circumvent limits on domestic surveillance by exploiting foreign intelligence authorities or third party vendors; and
* Mandate deletion of unlawfully collected data and any algorithms trained using such data.
Joining Attorney General Brown in sending this letter are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, Virgina, and Washington.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Calls-on-Congress-to-Close-Loophole-Enabling-Federal-Mass-Surveillance-of-Americans-.aspx
DEA Answers Okla. A.G. Drummond's Call to Ban 'Designer Xanax' Nationwide
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 26 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on March 25, 2026:
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DEA answers Drummond's call to ban 'Designer Xanax' nationwide
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the Trump Administration has acted on his request to create a nationwide ban on bromazolam, known as "Designer Xanax," a dangerous synthetic drug linked to at least 15 deaths in Oklahoma last year.
Last week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) formally added bromazolam to the federal schedule of controlled substances. The Schedule I designation
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 26 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on March 25, 2026:
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DEA answers Drummond's call to ban 'Designer Xanax' nationwide
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the Trump Administration has acted on his request to create a nationwide ban on bromazolam, known as "Designer Xanax," a dangerous synthetic drug linked to at least 15 deaths in Oklahoma last year.
Last week, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) formally added bromazolam to the federal schedule of controlled substances. The Schedule I designationempowers law enforcement across the country to crack down on bromazolam while increasing awareness of the drug's potentially deadly effects.
Last year, Drummond and a coalition of 20 state attorneys general urged the DEA to take emergency action and schedule the drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
"This is a major step forward in protecting Oklahoma families from a dangerous and unpredictable drug," Drummond said. "This decisive action by the Trump Administration gives law enforcement the authority needed to hold traffickers accountable and get this deadly substance off our streets."
Bromazolam has become an increasing concern for public health and law enforcement due to its potency and the difficulty detecting and responding to overdoses. Naloxone, or Narcan, is ineffective against bromazolam overdoses, further increasing the risk of fatal outcomes.
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/march/dea-answers-drummonds-call-to-ban-designer-xanax-nationwide.html
Alaska A.G. Cox Secures Landmark Consumer Protection Resolution With Swickard Car Dealerships--$800,000 Now, $200,000 More If Misconduct Continues
JUNEAU, Alaska, March 26 -- Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Attorney General Cox Secures Landmark Consumer Protection Resolution with Swickard Car Dealerships--$800,000 now, $200,000 More if Misconduct Continues
(Ketchikan, AK) - Today, Attorney General Cox announced the settlement of the State's consumer protection lawsuit against Swickard Anchorage, LLC, Swickard Anchorage II, LLC, Swickard PAV, LLC, Swickard Palmer, LLC, and Swickard Management Company (collectively "Swickard") for violating consumer protection laws. Swickard
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JUNEAU, Alaska, March 26 -- Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Attorney General Cox Secures Landmark Consumer Protection Resolution with Swickard Car Dealerships--$800,000 now, $200,000 More if Misconduct Continues
(Ketchikan, AK) - Today, Attorney General Cox announced the settlement of the State's consumer protection lawsuit against Swickard Anchorage, LLC, Swickard Anchorage II, LLC, Swickard PAV, LLC, Swickard Palmer, LLC, and Swickard Management Company (collectively "Swickard") for violating consumer protection laws. Swickardoperates car dealerships in Anchorage and Palmer.
The complaint, which was filed in Anchorage Superior Court, alleged that Swickard engaged in unfair and deceptive advertising practices, including advertising vehicles that were not actually available for purchase to draw customers to its lot. Swickard also refused to honor advertised prices once consumers arrived, requiring consumers to purchase expensive dealer add-ons that were not disclosed in the online advertisements, such as extra warranties, ceramic coating, dent and ding protection, and door edge guards and cups.
The Anchorage Superior Court found that Swickard purchased used vehicles from individual consumers without obtaining a signed statement describing the vehicle's condition, including the accident and repair history. State law requires dealerships to secure this signed statement from sellers and then provide it to prospective buyers. Swickard's failure to follow this process deprived consumers of information necessary to make informed purchasing decisions and violated AS 45.25.465 and AS 45.50.471(b)(43).
"Car dealers don't get to advertise one price and charge another--or advertise cars that aren't really there," said Alaska Attorney General Stephen Cox. "That's a bait-and-switch, and it's unlawful. Alaskans already face higher costs than most--this settlement holds Swickard accountable and reinforces that the price you see should be the price you pay."
Under this settlement, the defendants will pay a total civil penalty of $800,000, with an additional suspended penalty of $200,000 to be paid if Swickard engages in reckless or persistent violations of consumer protection laws in the next three years.
Consumers should know that Alaska law entitles them to purchase a vehicle at the advertised price. Dealerships cannot make consumers pay dealer documentation fees or dealer add-ons unless those extra costs were disclosed as part of the advertised price. And if consumers are purchasing a used vehicle, the dealership must provide a signed statement from the vehicle's previous owner that describes the vehicles condition and accident history. Or, if the vehicle was purchased at auction, from another dealer, or from a wholesaler, that fact must be disclosed as well.
* SOA v. Swickard Anchorage, LLC, et al. - Consent Decree (https://law.alaska.gov/pdf/press/260324-ConsentDecree.pdf)
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Original text here: https://law.alaska.gov/press/releases/2026/032426-Swickard.html
Oklahoma Supreme Court Sides With Drummond in Tribal Hunting, Fishing Dispute
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 25 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Oklahoma Supreme Court sides with Drummond in tribal hunting, fishing dispute
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's legal opinion protecting tribal members' right to hunt and fish on their reservations survived a challenge at the Oklahoma Supreme Court, after the justices unanimously rejected Gov. Kevin Stitt's attempt to strike it down.
The governor and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) had asked the state's highest court to step in
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, March 25 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on March 24, 2026:
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Oklahoma Supreme Court sides with Drummond in tribal hunting, fishing dispute
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's legal opinion protecting tribal members' right to hunt and fish on their reservations survived a challenge at the Oklahoma Supreme Court, after the justices unanimously rejected Gov. Kevin Stitt's attempt to strike it down.
The governor and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) had asked the state's highest court to step inand strike down AG Opinion 2025-19. Yesterday, every justice on the Court ruled to refuse that request, which leaves Drummond's opinion in effect. The opinion declares that federal law prevents Oklahoma from arresting and prosecuting tribal members for hunting and fishing on their own native lands.
"This ruling is another rejection of Gov. Stitt's unlawful campaign against tribal citizens exercising their long-held rights," said Drummond. "The Court would not be used as a tool to override settled federal law and decades of cooperative wildlife management. My position has never wavered: federal law is clear, and it is my duty to uphold it."
Drummond issued the formal opinion in December after concluding that the state's enforcement actions were unlawful, wasteful and harmful to Oklahoma's relationships with tribal nations. The Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw Nations, whose members had been targeted under the state's enforcement policy, have their own detailed wildlife codes that mirror the same conservation goals Oklahoma pursues.
The dispute will ultimately be resolved by the federal court, where a lawsuit filed by those three tribal nations is ongoing.
"It is time for Gov. Stitt and the ODWC to stand down, respect federal law and return to the collaborative partnership with tribal nations that has served Oklahoma's conservation interests for decades," said Drummond.
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/march/oklahoma-supreme-court-sides-with-drummond-in-tribal-hunting-fishing-dispute.html
Attorney General Tong Statement as PURA Approves New Aquarion Water Authority
HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 25 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Tong Statement as PURA Approves New Aquarion Water Authority
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(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong released the following statement after the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority ignored widespread opposition and approved the sale of Eversource-owned Aquarion Company to a new nonprofit that is projected to double household bills and will gut public oversight of water utility rates and consumer protections.
PURA initially denied the transaction
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HARTFORD, Connecticut, March 25 -- Connecticut Attorney General William Tong issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Tong Statement as PURA Approves New Aquarion Water Authority
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(Hartford, CT) - Attorney General William Tong released the following statement after the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority ignored widespread opposition and approved the sale of Eversource-owned Aquarion Company to a new nonprofit that is projected to double household bills and will gut public oversight of water utility rates and consumer protections.
PURA initially denied the transactionon November 19. Aquarion appealed and the court remanded the matter back to PURA for reconsideration. Attorney General Tong personally argued against the deal before PURA, alongside the Office of Consumer Counsel, and representatives for the towns in Aquarion's service territory who were united in opposition to the deal. None of the underlying facts changed between November 19 and now-this was and is a bad deal for Connecticut.
"This is a $6 billion gift to Eversource, to be paid by Connecticut families and towns over the next 40 years. Literally no one wanted this deal except for the utility executives looking to cash out. The economics of this deal made zero sense. It's a costly loser wrapped in a bunch of fuzzy math and empty promises. PURA had every ounce of authority and every reason to reject this deal, but they simply caved," said Attorney General Tong. "The utilities spent a ton of money on expensive lawyers and lobbyists to run their chief regulator out of town. Today, Eversource got exactly what they paid for. For those who have spent the past year doing the utilities bidding and fixating on gossip and interpersonal drama, it's going to be on you to explain to Connecticut families why they can't afford water anymore."
Aquarion Company and its Connecticut subsidiaries, Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut (AWC-CT) and Torrington Water Company (TWC), is currently by far the largest water company in the state, serving approximately 722,000 people in 62 municipalities across Connecticut.
Aquarion is currently owned by Eversource. As a corporate-owned public utility, it is regulated by PURA, which has authority to set rates and scrutinize its service. In 2023, PURA rejected Aquarion's bid to raise rates by nearly 30 percent. The company appealed and the Connecticut Supreme Court recently largely affirmed PURA's decision.
Eversource sought to offload Aquarion and to reap funds from the sale and shed its obligations while saddling Connecticut families and businesses with the long-term costs and consequences. The move will now convert Aquarion into a nonprofit entity called the Aquarion Water Authority (AWA), which will share resources with the South Central Regional Water Authority (RWA), including a CEO, CFO, board, and board committees.
Nonprofit utilities, such as the RWA and proposed AWA, are governed not by PURA but by their own board, comprised of representatives from the towns they serve. The board, making decisions for both the RWA and AWA in this proposed transaction, must either accept or reject a rate request in its entirety, with no ability for line-item adjustments as before PURA. Not once has RWA's board ever rejected a rate hike request. While the Office of the Attorney General and Consumer Counsel both aggressively advocate on behalf of ratepayers before PURA, the RWA selects its own consumer advocate and sets the advocate's pay.
Aquarion has not hid its intentions to raise rates. The application projected annual rate increases between 6.5 percent and 8.35 percent annually through 2035, with even more rate hikes expected every five years after. Those plans may double water bills for Connecticut families over the next decade.
Assistant Attorneys General Caroline McCormack and John Wright and Deputy Associate Attorney General Michael Wertheimer, Chief of the Consumer Protection Section assisted the Attorney General in this matter.
Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
Facebook: CT Attorney General
Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
Consumer Inquiries:
860-808-5318
attorney.general@ct.gov
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Original text here: https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2026-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-statement-as-pura-approves-new-aquarion-water-authority
Attorney General Schwalb Secures Over $302,000 for Construction Workers & DC
WASHINGTON, March 25 -- District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Schwalb Secures Over $302,000 for Construction Workers & DC
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Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that two drywall installation companies operating in the District - DR Construction and Consulting, Inc. (DRCC) and Pedro & Pablo's Construction Company, Inc. (Pedro & Pablo) - will together pay more than $302,000 to workers and the District to resolve allegations of worker misclassification, which deprived more than one hundred workers of wages
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WASHINGTON, March 25 -- District of Columbia Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Schwalb Secures Over $302,000 for Construction Workers & DC
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Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb today announced that two drywall installation companies operating in the District - DR Construction and Consulting, Inc. (DRCC) and Pedro & Pablo's Construction Company, Inc. (Pedro & Pablo) - will together pay more than $302,000 to workers and the District to resolve allegations of worker misclassification, which deprived more than one hundred workers of wagesand benefits they were entitled to under DC law. The Office of the Attorney General's (OAG) investigation found that Pedro & Pablo misclassified its workers as independent contractors instead of employees, and that DRCC used subcontractors, including Pedro & Pablo, that illegally misclassified workers. The companies cooperated with OAG's investigation and will now pay back harmed workers, pay penalties to the District, and make important changes to their business practices.
"Today, we're putting money back in the pockets of more than one hundred construction workers who were illegally deprived of wages and benefits they were legally entitled to receive. Misclassifying workers as independent contractors undermines fair competition, cheats the District, and hurts working families who are increasingly stretched thin," said Attorney General Schwalb. "As DC Attorney General, I will continue to have workers' backs and ensure that all businesses in the District play by the rules and compete on a level playing field."
Pedro & Pablo is a Virginia corporation that performs drywall installation and other construction work in the District of Columbia. OAG alleged that from 2021 through the present, Pedro & Pablo misclassified construction workers as independent contractors instead of classifying them as employees as required by DC law. As a result, these workers were deprived of benefits they were owed under District law, including paid sick leave and access to workers' compensation insurance.
DRCC is a Maryland corporation that performs construction work in the District of Columbia. OAG alleged that from 2021 through the present, DRCC employed subcontractors - including Pedro & Pablo - that illegally misclassified workers as independent contractors at job sites in DC. In addition to workers employed by Pedro & Pablo, dozens of construction workers on DRCC projects were allegedly misclassified and deprived of wages and benefits they were owed.
Under the terms of two separate settlement agreements:
* Pedro & Pablo will pay $200,000 to workers and the District. This includes $135,750 in restitution to workers and $57,500 in penalties to the District.
* DRCC will pay $102,739 to workers and the District. This includes including $56,250 in restitution to affected workers and $46,489 in penalties to DC.
* Both companies will change their practices to comply with DC law. Pedro & Pablo will reclassify its entire workforce as employees and submit to monitoring by OAG through 2027. DRCC will ensure all workers at its job sites are correctly classified, including by requiring certified payroll reports from subcontractors and randomly auditing subcontractors. DRCC will also stop doing business with certain subcontractors who have previously misclassified workers unless those companies submit documentation to the District showing their workers are not misclassified or enter into settlement agreements with the District resolving the allegations of misclassification.
The settlement with Pedro & Pablo is available here.
The settlement with DRCC is available here.
This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Charlie Sinks, Paralegal Diego Pereira, Assistant Section Chief Dennis Corkery, and Section Chief Graham Lake.
What is Worker Misclassification?
Misclassification is a form of payroll fraud that reduces labor costs for companies at the expense of workers. When companies improperly classify their employees as independent contractors, the workers are deprived of rights and benefits they are legally entitled to as employees, including minimum wage, overtime compensation, and paid sick leave. By engaging in illegal misclassification, companies also shift their own tax burden to the workers they improperly classify as contractors and deprive the District of tax revenue, unemployment insurance premiums, and workers' compensation contributions. Additionally, construction companies that violate the law and misclassify workers undermine fair competition and undercut law-abiding competitors.
OAG's Efforts to Protect Workers
OAG's Workers' Rights and Antifraud Section is dedicated to fighting wage theft, protecting District workers, and ensuring that businesses in the District compete on a level playing field. Since AG Schwalb became the District's elected, independent Attorney General in January 2023, OAG has secured more than $23 million for workers and the District. In total, since gaining independent wage theft enforcement authority in 2015, OAG has secured over $39 million by investigating and bringing enforcement actions against employers who violate District law. OAG's wage theft enforcement efforts have focused on industries with high populations of vulnerable workers, such as construction, restaurants and hospitality, healthcare, and the gig economy. Learn more about OAG's efforts to uphold workers' rights over the last year in OAG's 2025 Labor Day Report.
How to Report Wage and Hour Violations
Workers who believe that their rights have been violated, or that they have experienced wage theft or other wage and hour violations can contact OAG by calling (202) 724-7730 or by emailing workers@dc.gov or trabajadores@dc.gov.
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Original text here: https://oag.dc.gov/release/attorney-general-schwalb-secures-over-302000
