Attorney General
Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general
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R.I. A.G. Neronha Sues Quidnessett Country Club for Construction of Illegal Seawall
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, May 13 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Neronha sues Quidnessett Country Club for construction of illegal seawall
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced his office has filed a lawsuit against Quidnessett Country Club for constructing an unpermitted seawall in violation of state law, and defying state regulators by refusing to remove the seawall and restore the coastline to its prior condition. The complaint follows numerous unsuccessful administrative attempts by the
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PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island, May 13 -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Neronha sues Quidnessett Country Club for construction of illegal seawall
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha today announced his office has filed a lawsuit against Quidnessett Country Club for constructing an unpermitted seawall in violation of state law, and defying state regulators by refusing to remove the seawall and restore the coastline to its prior condition. The complaint follows numerous unsuccessful administrative attempts by theCoastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) since 2023 to remedy this illegal construction.
The complaint, filed in Providence County Superior Court, alleges that Quidnessett Country Club, in constructing the seawall:
* violated the Environmental Rights Act by polluting, impairing, or destroying the State's "water, land, and other natural resources" and failed to comply with multiple promulgated environmental quality standards;
* impaired the public trust natural resources of the State, which include lands below the high-water mark, including the public's right of way and access to the tidal areas; and
* trespassed, and continues to trespass, on tidal lands to which the State holds the title.
The Attorney General is seeking (1) the removal of the illegal seawall and (2) the restoration and stabilization of the site and coastline affected.
"Quidnessett County Club has engaged in actions that not only erode our shorelines, but also erode the rule of law," said Attorney General Neronha. "Companies prioritizing profits over the public good is nothing new, and unfortunately, Rhode Island has seen its fair share of business decisions being made at the expense of our natural resources. When some actors violate environmental law, as we allege here and elsewhere, they harm delicate ecosystems, disrupt habitats, and ultimately jeopardize the health and existence one of Rhode Island's most cherished and protected resources. Rhode Islanders rely on access to our shoreline, and we will fight to ensure that Quidnessett Country Club removes its illegal seawall once and for all.
"In 2022, my Office successfully stopped an attempt by Champlin's Marina to unlawfully expand its footprint into Block Island's Great Salt Pond and circumvent the public regulatory process in doing so. Today, this Office is once again taking action to protect our environment and the interests of Rhode Islanders. This saga has gone on far too long, and this Office will not stand idle while our coastline falls prey to whims of actors who pick and choose which regulations they want to abide by, and which they choose to ignore. It should go without saying, but adherence to the law is not optional. And companies that believe they are above the law should not be surprised to find out that they are not."
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Background
Quidnessett Country Club sits on the Narragansett Bay on the north side of Rhode Island Sound. The bay provides spawning ground, nursery, and habitat for more than 60 species of fish and shellfish, more than 200 bird species, and many marine mammals. Given the importance of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island and beyond, careful management and conservation policies--and compliance with those measures--is essential to protect the bay, wildlife, adjacent and surrounding properties, and the environment generally.
As alleged in the complaint, on or about August 18, 2023, CRMC staff conducted an inspection of the Quidnessett Country Club's property in response to a complaint it received about the construction and installation of an unauthorized seawall located along the 14th hole of the Club's golf course. Upon inspection, CRMC staff discovered that a seawall had indeed been wrongfully constructed along the bay shore, that vegetation had been destroyed and cut along the shore, and that tidal waters had been filled with stone and fill material. Shortly thereafter, CRMC issued multiple Notices of Administrative Fine and a Cease and Desist Order against the Club for these violations.
As further alleged, between October 2023 and May 2024, CRMC and Quidnessett Country Club engaged in ongoing correspondence about potential resolutions, but were ultimately unsuccessful in reaching an agreement. During this time period, Quidnessett Country Club petitioned CRMC to retroactively re-classify the abutting waters from Type 1 conservation waters, which require stringent protection and would prohibit such a wall from being built, to Type 2 waters, a less stringent water classification that would still require any proposed use to be approved by CRMC. The CRMC denied the club's reclassification request in January 2025.
As alleged, on or about June 10, 2025, CRMC conducted an enforcement hearing and ordered Quidnessett Country Club to: (1) remove all unauthorized riprap and fill within 60 days; (2) submit a complete, acceptable restoration plan within 30 days; and (3) restore the site in conformance with the approved restoration plan within 90 days. Quidnessett has since challenged CRMC's decisions and enforcement order in three pending Rhode Island Superior Court matters. To this day, the illegal seawall remains.
Special Assistant Attorney General Nicholas Vaz, Chief of the Energy and Environmental Unit, and Special Assistant Attorneys General Richard Gemma and Michael Collins are handling the matter on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General.
Environmental Enforcement
Enforcement of Rhode Island's environmental protection laws has always been a top priority for Attorney General Neronha. Today's lawsuit follows a similar, earlier action by the Office which stopped an unlawful Block Island marina expansion, as well as other environmental efforts, including: protecting Providence's Mashapaug Watershed from stormwater runoff; taking on PFAS manufacturers; defending South Providence residents from Rhode Island Recycled Metals mismanagement; suing the City of Woonsocket to stop sewer discharge from entering the Blackstone River; imposing the largest penalty ever assessed for violations of the Clean Air Act; reaching settlements worth nearly $20 million with major gas companies for chemical contamination; and, most recently, announcing an $11 million settlement with Barletta Heavy Construction for dumping contaminated fill in violation of state environmental laws, among others.
Additionally, alongside attorneys general across the country, Attorney General Neronha has sued the Trump Administration to protect wind energy, including Revolution Wind, solar energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, and energy and related infrastructure funding, among other actions.
For more information on the Office's environmental advocacy work, please visit our website (https://www.riag.ri.gov/about-our-office/divisions-and-units/civil-division/public-protection/environment-energy).
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Original text here: https://riag.ri.gov/press-releases/attorney-general-neronha-sues-quidnessett-country-club-construction-illegal-seawall
N.J. A.G. Davenport and Division on Civil Rights Announce Enforcement Actions Alleging Pregnancy Discrimination
TRENTON, New Jersey, May 13 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Davenport and Division on Civil Rights Announce Enforcement Actions Alleging Pregnancy Discrimination
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) today announced that DCR issued Findings of Probable Cause in four cases alleging that employers discriminated against pregnant employees by denying them reasonable accommodations - and, in one case, by wrongfully terminating the employee - in violation of the New Jersey
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TRENTON, New Jersey, May 13 -- New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Davenport and Division on Civil Rights Announce Enforcement Actions Alleging Pregnancy Discrimination
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) today announced that DCR issued Findings of Probable Cause in four cases alleging that employers discriminated against pregnant employees by denying them reasonable accommodations - and, in one case, by wrongfully terminating the employee - in violation of the New JerseyLaw Against Discrimination (LAD). The enforcement actions announced today are part of Attorney General Davenport's commitment to tackling the affordability crisis by ensuring that every worker in our state has an equal opportunity to earn a living.
"As we confront an affordability crisis in New Jersey, it's more important than ever that pregnant workers have a fair shot at earning a living. Far too often, however, employers deny pregnant workers reasonable accommodations - and when they do, they violate the law and effectively lock a key part of our workforce out of an equal opportunity to earn a living," said Attorney General Davenport. "Our message is simple: We're going to stand up for pregnant workers and hold accountable employers who contribute to our affordability crisis by discriminating against pregnant employees. Today's enforcement actions underscore our commitment to enforcing our strong civil rights laws and ensuring economic opportunity for everyone in our state."
The findings of probable cause announced today all involve discrimination based on pregnancy in violation of the LAD. The LAD, as amended in 2014 by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to pregnant employees and employees experiencing pregnancy-related conditions, so long as doing so does not create an undue hardship for the business. Under the LAD, employers are also required to engage in an interactive process with employees to determine how to reasonably accommodate them so they can continue to work and maintain their health during their pregnancy or while experiencing pregnancy-related conditions.
In two separate matters, workers accused Lisbon Cleaning Inc. of failing to offer reasonable accommodations while they were pregnant. DCR's investigations found reasonable suspicion that Lisbon Cleaning failed to engage in the required interactive process or provide reasonable accommodations, such as a temporary change of assignment to reduce physically demanding lifting requirements for the two pregnant employees.
A third complainant alleged that Cooper Health System violated the LAD when it denied her request for accommodations related to lifting, a reduction in hours, and closer parking due to a high-risk pregnancy. DCR found sufficient evidence that Cooper Health failed to adequately engage in an interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations, as the LAD requires, and instead required the employee to choose between a leave of absence or losing her position.
The fourth complainant, a former employee of Bio-Reference Laboratories Inc., accused the company of discrimination when it denied her request for an accommodation and then terminated her employment. Following pregnancy-related emergency surgery, the employee's doctor recommended a six-week leave of absence to allow the complainant to recover. Bio-Reference denied the request, claiming that a leave of absence would cause it an "undue hardship." But DCR's investigation found evidence that the denial was unnecessary and that complainant's request would not have imposed an "undue hardship."
"Far too many employers refuse to offer reasonable accommodations to their pregnant workers even when doing so wouldn't cause undue hardship," said Yolanda N. Melville, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. "No one should lose their livelihood because company policies violate our laws. Today's enforcement actions underscore our commitment to protecting the rights of New Jersey's workers."
Findings of Probable Cause mean DCR has concluded its preliminary investigations and determined sufficient evidence exists to support reasonable suspicion the LAD has been violated. They do not represent final adjudication on the merits of cases or proof of guilt. Once DCR issues Findings of Probable Cause, these cases move to conciliation, where the parties will have the opportunity to negotiate a voluntary resolution. If no voluntary resolution is reached, DCR will appoint a Deputy Attorney General to prosecute the case.
The enforcement actions announced today are the result of the work of DCR's Investigations Unit, led by Deputy Director Michael Campion, Chief of Legal Affairs James Michael, and Deputy Chief Legal Specialist Chiqueena Lee, with the assistance of Legal Specialist Alicia Ivory, Legal Specialist Thomas LaMaina, Supervising Investigator Susan Huccamayta, Supervising Investigator Ronald White, Investigator Keisha Coleman-Adkins, Investigator Jessica Bowers, and Investigator Jessica Peoples.
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DCR is the state agency responsible for preventing and eliminating discrimination and bias-based harassment in housing, employment, and places of public accommodation (e.g., places open to the public like schools, businesses, hospitals, etc.) by enforcing the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, Fair Chance in Housing Act, and the New Jersey Family Leave Act.
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Original text here: https://www.njoag.gov/attorney-general-davenport-and-division-on-civil-rights-announce-enforcement-actions-alleging-pregnancy-discrimination/
Md. A.G. Brown Joins Coalition Urging FDA to Reverse Guidance Easing Sales of Flavored E-Cigarettes
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 13 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Urging FDA to Reverse Guidance Easing Sales of Flavored E-Cigarettes
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a bipartisan coalition of 19 attorneys general urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to abandon draft guidance that would ease approvals for flavored e-cigarette products, widely understood to disproportionately worsen youth addiction.
Federal law requires that all e-cigarette products receive authorization
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 13 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Joins Coalition Urging FDA to Reverse Guidance Easing Sales of Flavored E-Cigarettes
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a bipartisan coalition of 19 attorneys general urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to abandon draft guidance that would ease approvals for flavored e-cigarette products, widely understood to disproportionately worsen youth addiction.
Federal law requires that all e-cigarette products receive authorizationfrom the FDA before they can be legally marketed or sold in the United States. To date, the FDA has authorized only 45 e-cigarette products. Until May 5, 2026, the FDA had approved no flavors other than tobacco or menthol. However, just six days before today's comment deadline, the FDA approved two fruit flavored products. Despite the limited authorization currently in place, hundreds of thousands of e-cigarette varieties in multitudes of flavors are currently available for purchase in flagrant violation of state and federal laws. Compounding their previous failures, on May 8, the FDA issued a press release announcing it would not prioritize enforcement against vapes and nicotine pouches marketed without necessary FDA authorization.
Two months ago, on March 11, the FDA released draft guidance that would ignore years of evidence and ease the path to approval for certain flavored products. The guidance opines, ignoring the FDA's own science and history, that certain flavors such as coffees, tea, spices, menthol, and mint are "lower risk" flavors for youth addiction. In reality, extensive research shows that flavored products of all kinds are favored by youth over unflavored tobacco.
In their letter, the attorneys general urge the FDA to reconsider the draft guidance and to continue its careful scrutiny of all flavors to protect public health.
Attorneys general have long been at the forefront of efforts to curb youth addiction. In 1998, attorneys general from 52 states and territories, including Maryland, reached a settlement with the four largest tobacco companies, settling suits filed by dozens of states and imposing strong new restrictions on tobacco advertising and marketing practices, including prohibitions on billboards, cartoons, branded merchandise, and sports sponsorships. The companies were forced to eliminate practices that obscured tobacco's health risks and were required to establish and fund the Truth Initiative, an advocacy organization dedicated to "achieving a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco." The settlement directs payments to the states and territories in perpetuity so long as cigarettes are sold by tobacco companies participating in the agreement.
In 2022, Maryland joined 33 states and territories in reaching a $434.9 million agreement with JUUL Labs, resolving a bipartisan investigation into the e-cigarette manufacturer's marketing and sales practices. In addition to the financial terms, the settlement forced JUUL to comply with a series of strict injunctive terms severely limiting their marketing and sales practices.
Joining Attorney General Brown in the letter are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Joins-Coalition-Urging-FDA-to-Reverse-Guidance-Easing-Sales-of-Flavored-E-Cigarettes.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown Announces Indictment of Eastern Shore Family Members in Wide Ranging Medicaid Fraud Scheme
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 13 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces Indictment of Eastern Shore Family Members in Wide Ranging Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that an Anne Arundel County Grand Jury returned indictments for nine individuals alleged to have engaged in a coordinated scheme to defraud the Maryland Medicaid program. All of the defendants are related by either blood or marriage.
"Medicaid is a lifeline for thousands of Marylanders with developmental
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 13 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces Indictment of Eastern Shore Family Members in Wide Ranging Medicaid Fraud Scheme
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced today that an Anne Arundel County Grand Jury returned indictments for nine individuals alleged to have engaged in a coordinated scheme to defraud the Maryland Medicaid program. All of the defendants are related by either blood or marriage.
"Medicaid is a lifeline for thousands of Marylanders with developmentaldisabilities, helping them access critical care and live independently in their communities. Every dollar these defendants allegedly stole is a dollar that cannot go toward the care and support these residents need and deserve," said Attorney General Brown. "Our Office will always fight to protect Medicaid and the vulnerable Marylanders it serves."
Corie Lynne Davis, 49, of Salisbury, Maryland, is a support broker who owns Infinite Abilities, LLC. Infinite Abilities, LLC provides support broker services - such as information, coaching, and advice - to individuals with developmental disabilities that participate in the Self-Directed Services Program. She is charged along with six of her daughters, her son-in-law, and her sister-in-law with defrauding a State Health Plan -specifically Medicaid - involving a value greater than $1,500. Medicaid is a U.S. government health insurance program that provides coverage to low income and vulnerable residents. The alleged fraudulent conduct includes knowingly and willfully submitting false information to obtain payment for healthcare services.
Corie Davis is charged along with her six daughters, Ashley Renee Davis, 25, and Alesha Fay Davis, 29, both of Princess Anne; Ce'Airra Rebecca Davis, 24, and Selena Lynne Davis, 22, both of Salisbury; Destiny Larae Little, 30, of Fruitland; Jocelyn Marie Davis, 28, of Pocomoke City; her son-in-law Desmond Samuel Lake, 27, of Salisbury; and her sister-in-law Matilda Ann Tull, 64, of Salisbury, on charges including conspiracy to commit Medicaid fraud (valued over $1,500), and identity fraud. Desmond Lake is a Princess Anne Police Officer and Ce'Airra Davis is a Somerset County Sheriff's Deputy.
Defendant Corie Davis faces an additional charge of making a false statement in an application for public assistance. The State alleges that Corie Davis knowingly misstated her income and household composition when applying for Medicaid benefits.
As with all criminal cases, these charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
"The allegations in this indictment are serious and made even more disturbing because they involve law enforcement officers," said Maureen R. Dixon, Special Agent in Charge with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG). "Theft from programs meant to support people with developmental disabilities will not be tolerated. HHS OIG is unwavering in our commitment to work with partners including the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit, and the Maryland State Police to protect vulnerable victims from fraud perpetrators and ensure the integrity of the Medicaid program."
In making today's announcement, Attorney General Brown thanked Director of the Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit Zak Shirley, Assistant Attorneys General Catherine Schuster Pascale and Kelly A. Casper, Senior Investigator Gordon Carew, Investigators Misty Battle and Mark Janowitz, and Investigative Auditor Yelena Slutskaya. Attorney General Brown also thanked the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General and the Maryland State Police for their assistance with this case.
The Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $7,119,096 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2026. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $2,373,032 for FY 2026, is funded by the State of Maryland.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-Indictment-of-Eastern-Shore-Family-Members-in-Wide%e2%80%91Ranging-Medicaid-Fraud-Scheme.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown Announces Final Settlement With Owners and Operators of the M/V Dali in Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Case
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 13 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces Final Settlement with Owners and Operators of the M/V Dali in Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Case
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that the State of Maryland has reached a final settlement of $2.25 billion with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., the owner and operator of the M/V Dali, resolving the State's claims against those parties arising from the cargo ship's March 26, 2024 allision with
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 13 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Brown Announces Final Settlement with Owners and Operators of the M/V Dali in Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse Case
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced that the State of Maryland has reached a final settlement of $2.25 billion with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., the owner and operator of the M/V Dali, resolving the State's claims against those parties arising from the cargo ship's March 26, 2024 allision withthe Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The settlement resolves claims brought against the vessel interests by the Office of the Attorney General's (OAG) Civil Litigation Division on behalf of the State and its agencies, including the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), the Maryland Port Administration (MPA), and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), in coordination with a team of outside counsel with expertise in maritime law and complex litigation.
This settlement does not resolve the State's claims against the shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), in its final report issued in November 2025, found Hyundai Heavy Industries to be at fault in causing the M/V Dali's loss of power and its allision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The State intends to pursue those claims.
"The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sent shockwaves through Maryland and caused damages on a scale this State had never seen," said Attorney General Anthony G. Brown. "This $2.25 billion settlement reflects the full measure of accountability we were able to secure from the vessel interests -- and our pursuit of justice is not finished. We will continue to press our claims against the shipbuilder whose fault helped bring this bridge down."
On the morning of March 26, 2024, the M/V Dali crashed into a supporting column of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing its catastrophic collapse. Six construction workers lost their lives: Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, Jose Mynor Lopez, Carlos Hernandez, Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, and Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval. Two others were injured.
The disaster brought shipping at the Port of Baltimore to a complete halt, disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of workers, rerouted traffic through communities already bearing disproportionate burdens, and triggered economic ripple effects that continue to be felt across the State.
Within hours of the collapse, Attorney General Brown appointed Special Assistant Attorney General Katie Dorian to lead the coordinated, statewide legal effort on behalf of the State and its agencies affected by the disaster. Attorney General Brown also immediately engaged maritime counsel to protect the State's interests from day one, while the Office moved swiftly to assemble a full litigation team.
In April 2024, Attorney General Brown toured the disaster site by boat to witness first-hand the scale of the destruction, viewing the wreckage of the bridge, the salvage efforts underway, and the full scope of what the Dali had left behind. Alongside the Attorney General, a team of maritime experts acting on behalf of the Office boarded the Dali and conducted an approximately 10-hour inspection of the ship, their first up-close examination of its contents and damage.
In May 2024, following approval by both the Maryland Transportation Authority Board and the Maryland Board of Public Works (BPW), the OAG finalized a team of five outside law firms to serve as Assistant Counsel. Selected through an open, competitive process for their deep expertise in maritime disasters, tort litigation, insurance recovery, and dispute resolution, the firms are: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP; Liskow and Lewis, APLC; Partridge LLC; The Lanier Law Firm, PLLC; and, serving as local counsel, Downs Ward Bender Herzog & Kintigh, P.A.
On September 24, 2024, Attorney General Brown, joined by Governor Wes Moore, announced the filing of a claim in a pending lawsuit against Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. The State sought damages for the destruction of the bridge, environmental harm, lost toll revenues, and the wide-ranging economic losses sustained by Maryland and its residents.
From the outset, Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine sought to cap their total liability at approximately $43.7 million, the estimated post-disaster value of the Dali, by invoking the Limitation of Liability Act of 1851, a maritime law that ties a shipowner's liability to the value of the vessel after a disaster. A $43.7 million cap would have represented a small fraction of the damages caused by the loss of the bridge.
In November 2025, the NTSB released its final report on the collapse, tracing the cause of the Dali's blackout to a single loose signal wire in the ship's electrical control center and concluding that the disaster was entirely preventable. The NTSB also identified Hyundai Heavy Industries, the builder of the M/V Dali, as bearing fault for the ship's loss of power.
In April 2026, with a June 1 trial approaching, the State announced it had reached a settlement in principle with Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine. Today, that agreement has been finalized.
In reaching this agreement, the State carefully examined the available resources of Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine, including available insurance limits, and concluded that the settlement maximizes the recovery available from the vessel interests.
The State also recognizes and supports that the families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured deserve to receive just compensation from the Dali interests. Those claims are being pursued separately by counsel representing the victims' families.
The State's pursuit of accountability does not end here. Attorney General Brown intends to pursue claims against Hyundai Heavy Industries for its fault and share of the State's damages.
Attorney General Brown thanks Civil Division Chief Robert A. Scott, Senior Assistant Attorney General Howard Feldman, Assistant Attorney General Jessica Finberg, Administrative Officer Hannah Woods, Special Assistant Attorney General for Key Bridge Recovery and Restoration Katie Dorian, retired Principal Counsel for the Maryland Transportation Authority Kim Millender, and Assistant Counsel: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP; Liskow and Lewis, APLC; Partridge LLC; The Lanier Law Firm, PLLC; and Downs Ward Bender Herzog & Kintigh, P.A.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-Final-Settlement-with-Owners-and-Operators-of-the-MV-Dali-in-Francis-Scott-Key-Bridge-Col.aspx
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Urges FDA to Reverse Guidance Easing Sales of Flavored E-Cigarettes
PHOENIX, Arizona, May 13 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Urges FDA to Reverse Guidance Easing Sales of Flavored E-Cigarettes
Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of 21 attorneys general urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to abandon draft guidance that would ease approvals for flavored e-cigarette products, widely understood to disproportionately worsen youth addiction.
"Flavored e-cigarettes are a direct pipeline to youth nicotine addiction, and the FDA's move to
... Show Full Article
PHOENIX, Arizona, May 13 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Urges FDA to Reverse Guidance Easing Sales of Flavored E-Cigarettes
Attorney General Kris Mayes today joined a bipartisan coalition of 21 attorneys general urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to abandon draft guidance that would ease approvals for flavored e-cigarette products, widely understood to disproportionately worsen youth addiction.
"Flavored e-cigarettes are a direct pipeline to youth nicotine addiction, and the FDA's move toease approvals for these products is a major step in the wrong direction," said Attorney General Mayes. "An agency shouldn't ignore its own science to make it easier for the tobacco industry to hook a new generation on nicotine. I'm proud to stand with attorneys general across the country in calling on the FDA to reverse course and put children's health first."
Federal law requires that all e-cigarette products receive authorization from the FDA before they can be legally marketed or sold in the United States. To date, the FDA has authorized only 45 e-cigarette products. Until May 5, 2026, FDA had approved no flavors other than tobacco or menthol. However, just six days before today's comment deadline, the FDA approved two fruit flavored products. Despite such limited authorization, hundreds of thousands of e-cigarette varieties in multitudes of flavors are currently available for purchase in flagrant violation of state and federal laws. Compounding their previous failures, on May 8, the FDA issued a press release announcing it would not prioritize enforcement against vapes and nicotine pouches marketed without necessary FDA authorization.
Two months ago, on March 11, FDA released draft guidance that would ignore years of evidence and ease the path to approval for certain flavored products. The guidance opines, ignoring FDA's own science and history, that certain flavors such as coffees, tea, spices, menthol and mint are "lower risk" flavors for youth addiction. In reality, extensive research shows that flavored products of all kinds are favored by youth over unflavored tobacco.
In their letter, the attorneys general urge FDA to reconsider the draft guidance and to continue its careful scrutiny of all flavors to protect public health.
Attorneys general have long been at the forefront of efforts to curb youth addiction. In 1998, attorneys general from 52 states and territories reached a settlement with the four largest tobacco companies, settling suits filed by dozens of states and imposing strong new restrictions on tobacco advertising and marketing practices, including prohibitions on billboards, cartoons, branded merchandise, and sports sponsorships. The companies were forced to eliminate practices that obscured tobacco's health risks and were required to establish and fund the Truth Initiative, an advocacy organization dedicated to "achieving a culture where all youth and young adults reject tobacco."
The settlement directs payments to the states and territories in perpetuity so long as cigarettes are sold by tobacco companies participating in the agreement.
In 2022, Attorney General Mayes joined 34 states and territories in reaching a $438.5 million agreement with JUUL Labs, resolving a two-year bipartisan investigation into the e-cigarette manufacturer's marketing and sales practices. In addition to the financial terms, the settlement forced JUUL to comply with a series of strict injunctive terms severely limiting their marketing and sales practices.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led today's letter, joined by AG Mayes and the attorneys general California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-urges-fda-reverse-guidance-easing-sales-flavored-e-cigarettes
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Announces 6+ Year Prison Sentence in Organized Retail Theft and Trafficking Case
PHOENIX, Arizona, May 13 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces 6+ Year Prison Sentence in Organized Retail Theft and Trafficking Case
Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Jared Duke was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. Duke was charged as part of an enterprise victimizing local retail establishments from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2024. This enterprise is associated with approximately $10 million in stolen merchandise.
"We don't tolerate retail theft in Arizona," said Attorney General
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PHOENIX, Arizona, May 13 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on May 12, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Announces 6+ Year Prison Sentence in Organized Retail Theft and Trafficking Case
Attorney General Kris Mayes today announced that Jared Duke was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. Duke was charged as part of an enterprise victimizing local retail establishments from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2024. This enterprise is associated with approximately $10 million in stolen merchandise.
"We don't tolerate retail theft in Arizona," said Attorney GeneralMayes. "These crimes aren't victimless, they hurt local businesses and drive up costs for all of us. Those who engage in organized retail crime will be held accountable under the law."
Arizona Attorney General's Office Special Agents and Department of Homeland Security Investigators, working with local retail loss prevention partners, identified Duke as a booster and determined he received $22,597.25 in payments from a fencing location. Retail loss prevention partners identified approximately $4,849.60 in known thefts attributed to Duke.
On March 31, 2026, Duke pled guilty to two counts of Organized Retail Theft, two counts of Trafficking in Stolen Property in the Second Degree, and one count of Illegally Conducting an Enterprise.
On April 30, 2026, Duke was sentenced to 6.5 years in the Arizona Department of Corrections and ordered to pay $4,849.60 in restitution to the victim. Other co-defendants have been charged and their cases are pending. They are presumed innocent until convicted.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Matthew McCray and Michael Lester.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-announces-6-year-prison-sentence-organized-retail-theft-and
