Latest News from Legal Newsline (2024)

Drummond challenges nationwide electric-truck mandates in two lawsuits

Attorney General Gentner Drummond is challenging the efforts of the Biden Administration and the State of California to impose nationwide electric-vehicle mandates on truck owners and operators, through two separate lawsuits.

White House Roundtable drives forward interagency collaboration for legal aid

The White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR), overseen by the Office for Access to Justice (ATJ), has been actively working this year to enhance collaboration among 28 federal agencies with the aim of advancing access to justice. LAIR's mission is to "improve coordination among Federal programs, so that programs are more efficient and produce better outcomes," including broadening access to legal services.

Justice Department addresses surge in threats against election officials

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland recently addressed the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, emphasizing the importance of protecting election workers and officials from violent threats. The Task Force was launched three years ago in response to a surge in such threats following the 2020 election.

Justice Department intervenes in Muscogee (Creek) Nation's lawsuit against Tulsa

The U.S. Justice Department, representing the Department of the Interior, has filed a motion to intervene in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s lawsuit against the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The lawsuit, which also includes the city's mayor, chief of police and city attorney as defendants, is currently before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Troutman Pepper client Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp. and Summit Financial Group Inc. recently announced the completion of the merger of Summit Financial Group, Inc. with and into Burke & Herbert and the merger of Summit Community Bank, Inc., with and into Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company, effective May 3, 2024.

AG Campbell Co-Leads Bipartisan Multistate Effort Urging U.S. House And Senate Leaders To Appropriate Robust Funding For Legal Services Corporation

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, in partnership with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, and Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr, co-sponsored a multistate letter sent by a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general calling on leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Appropriations Committees to allocate maximum funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in the FY2025 budget.

Attorney General Brown Seeks Applicants for the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention

Attorney General Anthony Brown is accepting membership applications for the Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention.

Attorney General convenes Election Threats Task Force meeting

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today convened a meeting of the Election Threats Task Force. The task force, established in June 2021, has been spearheading the Department's efforts to counter threats of violence against election workers and ensure their ability to perform their duties without fear or intimidation.

Ohio man pleads guilty to creating disturbing animal abuse videos

An Ohio man, Ronald P. Bedra of Etna, has pleaded guilty to creating and distributing videos that depict extreme violence and sexual abuse against monkeys. The plea agreement was unsealed today.

Dinsmore Expands its National Labor and Employment Practice with the Addition of Trial Lawyer Michele Choe in Denver

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP is pleased to announce the addition of Michele Choe, a respected employment litigation and trial lawyer, as a new partner in the Firm's Denver office.

Justice Department to monitor Maryland elections for compliance with federal voting rights laws

The Justice Department has declared its intention to monitor the upcoming elections in Prince George’s County, Maryland on May 14. The monitoring aims to ensure compliance with federal voting rights laws.

Attorney General warns Floridians of scams following severe weather

Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning to Floridians about potential disaster scams and price gouging in the wake of tornadoes and severe weather in Northern Florida. Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for 12 counties, affecting over 180,000 residents who lost power. As recovery efforts begin, many may be seeking debris removal, essential commodities or home repairs.

Philadelphia men charged for defrauding healthcare workers' union

Attorney General Michelle Henry has announced charges against Christen Woods and Tracy Hardy for their alleged involvement in a theft scheme. The scheme purportedly involved the diversion of funds from a Philadelphia healthcare workers’ union chapter to Hardy’s political consulting firm. The accused are charged with stealing over $150,000 from District 1199C, a subsidiary union of the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees that represents thousands of workers throughout the greater Philadelphia area.

Ohio man receives prison sentence for violating Clean Air Act

An Ohio man has been sentenced to prison for violating the Clean Air Act through an aftermarket scheme that disabled the emissions control systems of diesel trucks. Davis Owens, 34, from Cleves, Hamilton County, was handed a sentence of 30 days in prison, seven months of home confinement and one year of supervised release. He had previously pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting the tampering of a monitoring device required under the Clean Air Act.

Justice Department, Albuquerque seek partial termination of police consent decree

The Justice Department and the City of Albuquerque, New Mexico, have jointly filed a motion seeking court approval to terminate certain aspects of the consent decree covering the Albuquerque Police Department (APD). This action follows the independent monitor’s 19th report, which concluded that the city and APD have achieved full compliance with 96% of the consent decree’s terms.

Woman Criminally Charged for Alleged Theft and Embezzlement Of More Than $44,000 in Union Members’ Dues Payments

Attorney General Anne Lopez announced that Lilinoe Smith was criminally charged for allegedly embezzling approximately $44,367 in union dues from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union 1186.

Attorney General Aaron M. Frey Announces Collection of Over $650k from Long Creek Environmental Violator

Attorney General Aaron M. Frey announced his Office’s successful collection of over $650k from Cornerbrook LLC and CPSP LLC, both owned by Joseph Soley.

Attorney General Marshall Applauds Senate’s Passage of HB 82

Attorney General Steve Marshall applauds the Alabama Senate’s passage of House Bill 82, enhancing the penalties for falsely reporting a crime to law enforcement.

On April 26, 38-year-old Dellan Vanbuskirk was sentenced to serve 18 years and 145 days of incarceration for new law violations and violations of his felony probation.

Waiter, there's a plate in my food

TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida man is suing Texas Roadhouse after he says a piece of broken plate in his food caused him injuries.