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Here's a look at documents from state attorneys general

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WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: A.G. JONES SHARES ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN

RICHMOND, Virginia, March 28 -- Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones issued the following news release on March 27, 2026:

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WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE SEEING: ATTORNEY GENERAL JAY JONES SHARES ROUNDUP OF ACTIONS TAKEN

Celebrates Passage of Vape Enforcement Act, Fights Federal Overreach and Takes Legal Action to Hold Bad Actors Accountable

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Today, Attorney General Jay Jones released a comprehensive update on the action he has taken for Virginians, over the past two weeks. Putting money back in the pockets of Virginians, defending veterans, pushing back against federal overreach, and protecting ... Show Full Article

Statewide grand jury indicts insurance broker for fraud and theft

DENVER, Colorado, March 27 -- Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser issued the following news release:

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Statewide grand jury indicts insurance broker for fraud and theft

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March 27, 2026 (DENVER) - The statewide grand jury indicted George Gonzalez, 55, of Denver on 14 counts for allegedly diverting thousands of dollars in insurance premium payments instead of sending them to insurance companies as required by law, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced today.

"When a licensed agent sells an insurance policy to customers, they are required by law to hold premium funds collected in a fiduciary ... Show Full Article

MPSC Approves $276.6 Million Consumers Energy Rate Hike

LANSING, Michigan, March 27 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release:

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MPSC Approves $276.6 Million Consumers Energy Rate Hike

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LANSING - Today, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved yet another rate hike for Consumers Energy customers, allowing the company to collect an additional $276.6 million in revenue from its electricity customers. Consumers Energy initially sought permission to raise rates by 13%. In her filed testimony, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel argued for the MPSC to slash Consumers Energy's rate hike down to 3.5% ... Show Full Article LANSING, Michigan, March 27 -- Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued the following news release: * * * MPSC Approves $276.6 Million Consumers Energy Rate Hike * LANSING - Today, the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) approved yet another rate hike for Consumers Energy customers, allowing the company to collect an additional $276.6 million in revenue from its electricity customers. Consumers Energy initially sought permission to raise rates by 13%. In her filed testimony, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel argued for the MPSC to slash Consumers Energy's rate hike down to 3.5%and called for a nearly 65% cut to the utility's rate hike request. The rate hike approved today will raise residential customer electricity rates by 8.9%.

The approved rate hike is $160 million less than Consumers Energy's original request, which sought a $436 million rate hike and an additional surcharge of $24.3 million. This was reduced, in part, due to the Attorney General's continued advocacy on behalf of ratepayers. Today's approved rate hike will become effective on May 1, 2026, and follows last year's $154 million electric rate hike. Since 2020, the MPSC has approved nearly $800 million in annual revenue increases for Consumers Energy. Under the current law, Consumers Energy is eligible to file their next rate hike request in June 2026.

"Consumers Energy customers will once again have to brace for higher bills because of the never-ending cycle of rate hikes passed on by the utility," said Attorney General Nessel. "Unfortunately, this is something we have become accustomed to. Even though my office carefully reviews DTE and Consumers Energy rate hike requests for bloated and unjustified costs, it is ultimately the MPSC who determines how much to approve or how often these rate hikes occur. This process continues to place the burden on ratepayers and demands greater accountability to ensure Michiganders receive the affordability and reliability they deserve. I urge our elected leaders of both parties to reconsider this badly broken system. It's both unfair and unsustainable for our state."

Since taking office, the Attorney General has helped save Michigan consumers more than $4.1 billion by intervening in utility cases before the MPSC. Rate hike cases currently open before the MPSC include Consumers Energy's natural gas rate hike request ( U-21981 ), DTE's natural gas rate hike request ( U-21973 ), SEMCO Energy Gas Company's gas rate hike request ( U-22002 ), and Upper Peninsula Power Company's electric rate hike request ( U-22032 ). DTE has also submitted a filing announcement, announcing its intent to file another electric rate hike in April.

Consumers Energy sells electricity to approximately 1.9 million customers throughout Michigan and natural gas to 1.8 million customers across the state.

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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/ag/news/press-releases/2026/03/27/mpsc-approves-276m-consumers-energy-rate-hike

California Department of Justice Releases Report on Officer-Involved Shooting of Jory Jamarr Lester

SACRAMENTO, California, March 27 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release:

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California Department of Justice Releases Report on Officer-Involved Shooting of Jory Jamarr Lester

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OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), today released a report on the death of Jory Jamarr Lester from an officer-involved shooting in Stockton, California on September 11, 2023. The incident involved an officer from the Stockton Police Department (SPD). As part of the California Department of Justice's (DOJ) ongoing efforts to ... Show Full Article SACRAMENTO, California, March 27 -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued the following news release: * * * California Department of Justice Releases Report on Officer-Involved Shooting of Jory Jamarr Lester * OAKLAND -California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), today released a report on the death of Jory Jamarr Lester from an officer-involved shooting in Stockton, California on September 11, 2023. The incident involved an officer from the Stockton Police Department (SPD). As part of the California Department of Justice's (DOJ) ongoing efforts toprovide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices, the report provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ's findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case.

"Loss of life is always a tragedy. AB 1506 is a critical transparency and accountability tool, and our hope is that this report provides greater understanding and helps advance a safer California for all," said Attorney General Bonta. "We must aim to foster a system that not only protects the rights of individuals but also promotes trust and accountability between law enforcement and our communities."

On September 11, 2023, at approximately 9:51 PM, SPD Officers responded to a call that Mr. Lester was kicking down a door and trying to enter a window of a room at a Red Roof Inn. The caller stated that Mr. Lester had a firearm in his pants that he had brandished at them before fleeing toward the freeway. Once officers located Mr. Lester, they ordered him to show them his hands and to stop moving. Mr. Lester raised his hands but continued walking away from the officers. Mr. Lester then abruptly turned around and pulled what appeared to be a firearm from his waist area. When Mr. Lester began to raise the object toward the officers, he was fatally shot. After the shooting, investigators discovered that the object held by Mr. Lester was part of a suction dart crossbow and that he did not possess a firearm.

Under AB 1506, which requires DOJ to investigate all incidents of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state, DOJ conducted a thorough investigation into this incident and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the involved officer did not act in lawful self-defense or defense of others. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officer, and no further action will be taken in this case.

As part of its investigation, DOJ has identified two recommendations related to this incident. The first recommendation is that SPD should evaluate its training on the requirement to render aid to injured persons and develop any necessary training to provide officers specific guidance on how to determine when officers can more promptly provide medical care. The second recommendation is that SPD should amend its current use of force policy to ensure the policy clearly states that de-escalation and crisis intervention are mandatory when feasible, and should review its processes, procedures, and training related to crisis intervention to ensure they are consistent with state law.

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Original text here: https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/california-department-justice-releases-report-officer-involved-shooting-jory

Attorney General Sunday's Insurance Fraud Section Charges York County Man in Phony Vehicle Accident Reporting Scheme

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- Pennsylvania Attorney General David W. Sunday issued the following news:

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Attorney General Sunday's Insurance Fraud Section Charges York County Man in Phony Vehicle Accident Reporting Scheme

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HARRISBURG - Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against a York County man accused of buying scrapped vehicles at a bargain, insuring them, and reporting accidents that never happened to receive lucrative insurance payouts.

Taofiq Salami, 30, of York Haven, is charged with numerous felonies, including insurance fraud, identity theft, forgery, and ... Show Full Article HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, March 27 -- Pennsylvania Attorney General David W. Sunday issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Sunday's Insurance Fraud Section Charges York County Man in Phony Vehicle Accident Reporting Scheme * HARRISBURG - Attorney General Dave Sunday announced charges against a York County man accused of buying scrapped vehicles at a bargain, insuring them, and reporting accidents that never happened to receive lucrative insurance payouts. Taofiq Salami, 30, of York Haven, is charged with numerous felonies, including insurance fraud, identity theft, forgery, andtitle washing, among other related charges.

According to an Office of Attorney General investigation, Salami used false and stolen identities -and co-conspirators -to purchase and insure the scrapped vehicles. He then reported accidents that didn't happen to obtain more than $180,000 in insurance payouts.

He attempted to employ the scheme on numerous other occasions, with claims totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars more. He ultimately did not receive those payouts.

Salami was arrested and arraigned on the insurance fraud and related charges on Thursday, when he reported to court in Bucks County for an unrelated theft/forgery case. Salami's bail was set at $400,000 with a hearing to ensure the bail is not paid from his alleged criminal proceeds.

"This defendant concocted a criminal scheme and employed it time and time again, stealing identities and defrauding insurance companies," Attorney General Sunday said. "This conduct drives up insurance premiums for law-abiding drivers whose budgets get stretched by increases. Our Insurance Fraud Section unraveled this sophisticated scheme and put an end to it with the filing of very serious charges."

The investigation continues, and others are expected to be charged.

Salami retained the vehicles after receiving the insurance payouts and repeated the scheme multiple times with the same vehicle.

In one alleged incident, Salami purchased a 2013 Jeep Cherokee using a false identity and later fabricated an accident involving a 2019 Toyota Highlander, resulting in an insurance payout of approximately $49,000.

The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney General's Insurance Fraud Section. Criminal charges, and any discussion thereof, are merely allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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Original text here: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/attorney-general-sundays-insurance-fraud-section-charges-york-county-man-in-phony-vehicle-accident-reporting-scheme/

Attorney General Ford Applauds Recent Jury Verdicts Against Meta, YouTube in Other Jurisdictions

CARSON CITY, Nevada, March 27 -- Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford issued the following news release:

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Attorney General Ford Applauds Recent Jury Verdicts Against Meta, YouTube in Other Jurisdictions

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Carson City, NV -Today, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford released the following remarks after juries in courts in California and New Mexico ruled that social media companies were aware of the harms their products had caused to the nation's youth. On March 24, a New Mexico jury ruled social media giant Meta must pay a $375 million monetary penalty for misleading the public about harms Meta ... Show Full Article CARSON CITY, Nevada, March 27 -- Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford issued the following news release: * * * Attorney General Ford Applauds Recent Jury Verdicts Against Meta, YouTube in Other Jurisdictions * Carson City, NV -Today, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford released the following remarks after juries in courts in California and New Mexico ruled that social media companies were aware of the harms their products had caused to the nation's youth. On March 24, a New Mexico jury ruled social media giant Meta must pay a $375 million monetary penalty for misleading the public about harms Metaknew to be lurking on its platforms. Today, a jury in a separate California trial awarded $6 million in compensatory and punitive damages to an individual who sued Meta, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok alleging that their harmful design had inflicted mental health harms on her when she was a teen.

"The recent decisions in California and New Mexico are the first steps to getting justice for children victimized by social media companies that deliberately designed addictive products and ignored the dangers those products posed to children," said Attorney General Ford. "The juries in these cases reached the only logical conclusion when presented with the facts, and we are confident that, when our litigation is brought before Nevada juries, they will come to the same conclusion. We will do whatever is needed to protect Nevada's youth."

Like the cases recently decided in favor of the plaintiffs, Attorney General Ford's lawsuits currently pending against Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, and Kik accuse the companies of using harmful design features; failing to implement common-sense safety measures for children; and misleading the public regarding child users' safety. However, several of Nevada's lawsuits also include products liability claims and economic damages that are unique to the Nevada Attorney General's jurisdiction to pursue consumer protection claims on behalf of Nevadans.

The status of the OAG's lawsuits against social media companies on behalf of Nevadans are as follows (note that trial dates are subject to change):

* Meta: Meta's motions to dismiss the first amended complaint were denied in April 2025. Meta has challenged these rulings and the cases are stayed until these challenges are resolved.

* TikTok: Trial has been set for Nov. 1, 2027.

* Snapchat : A seven-month appellate stay has been lifted, and trial is currently set for Jan. 4, 2027.

* YouTube: YouTube's motion to dismiss was denied at a hearing on March 18. No trial date has been set.

* Kik: A motion to dismiss was granted in part and denied in part on Feb. 11, 2026. The OAG and Kik agreed to a 90-day stay of case in order to undertake settlement negotiations. No trial date has been set.

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Attorney General Alan Wilson fights to protect religious freedom

COLUMBIA, South Carolina, March 27 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news:

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Attorney General Alan Wilson fights to protect religious freedom

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(COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson joined Iowa and 16 other states supporting a public schoolteacher's challenge to a district policy preventing her from decorating her classroom with a small personal crucifix.

The district asks teachers to decorate their classrooms. Mrs. Arroyo-Castro's walls were decorated with "inspirational quotes, student artwork, a daily schedule," and personal expressive items, ... Show Full Article COLUMBIA, South Carolina, March 27 -- South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson issued the following news: * * * Attorney General Alan Wilson fights to protect religious freedom * (COLUMBIA, S.C.) - Attorney General Alan Wilson joined Iowa and 16 other states supporting a public schoolteacher's challenge to a district policy preventing her from decorating her classroom with a small personal crucifix. The district asks teachers to decorate their classrooms. Mrs. Arroyo-Castro's walls were decorated with "inspirational quotes, student artwork, a daily schedule," and personal expressive items,including the small crucifix. The district allowed all of the secular wall decorations but prohibited religious expression.

"Freedom of religious expression doesn't stop when students or teachers enter a school," Attorney General Wilson said. "This school district, however, expressed open hostility toward a staff member's religious views."

The Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment protects speech and religious expression. However, the district court concluded that Arroyo-Castro's personal display was pursuant to her official duties and therefore government speech. Ms. Castro hung the crucifix at waist height, blocked from the view of most students by a computer, and used it for silent prayer during lunch breaks, not as a teaching tool.

"The freedom to openly express deeply held religious views has been a cornerstone of American life for generations," Attorney General Wilson stated. "As a man of faith and Attorney General, I will always fight to protect the religious freedom of every South Carolinian."

In addition to South Carolina, attorneys general from the following states joined the Iowa-led filing: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and West Virginia.

The full amicus brief can be read here.

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Original text here: https://www.scag.gov/about-the-office/news/attorney-general-alan-wilson-fights-to-protect-religious-freedom/

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