State AG

Utah Joins $773M Albertsons Opioid Settlement

Utah's Attorney General has joined a multistate settlement with Albertsons Companies Inc. resolving claims that the pharmacy chain contributed to the opioid crisis through its dispensing practices. The settlement totals $773 million nationally. Utah joins other states that have already agreed to the terms. The settlement includes both monetary compensation and injunctive relief addressing opioid dispensing practices.

AG Jackson Wins Court Order Freezing Nexstar-Tegna $6.2B Merger

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson secured a federal preliminary injunction freezing Nexstar's $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. Eight state attorneys general filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the merger on March 18, 2026. The order requires Nexstar and Tegna to operate as completely separate entities with separate management and separate newsrooms while litigation proceeds.

NC AG Warns of Deepfake Investment Scams on Meta Platforms

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued a consumer alert warning residents of investment scams using deepfake technology on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). The scams include pump-and-dump stock schemes, confidence scams, and cryptocurrency fraud, often using AI-generated images of public figures without authorization.

NC AG Urges FTC to Ban Hidden and Surprise Rental Fees

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, joined by 26 other state attorneys general, submitted a comment letter to the Federal Trade Commission urging the agency to ban hidden and surprise rental fees. The coalition recommends that landlords be required to disclose total rental costs in all advertisements and listings, deceptive fee practices be prohibited, and a minimum federal standard for transparency and fair competition be established. The comment responds to an FTC request for public input on whether a rule is needed to protect renters from unfair or deceptive fees that drive up housing costs.

Sephora Adopts Safeguards for Anti-Aging Products Marketed to Children

Attorney General William Tong announced that Sephora has adopted new safeguards regarding marketing anti-aging skincare products to children, resolving a Connecticut investigation. The settlement requires Sephora to obtain product warnings from suppliers about suitability for children under 13, display warnings on product pages, train employees, and maintain a website resource about unsuitable products. The investigation was prompted by concerns that anti-aging products containing retinol and acids may be harmful to children's skin.

Supreme Court to Hear Religious Freedom Case Championed by AG McCuskey's 22-State Coalition

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear St. Mary Catholic Parish v. Roy, a religious freedom case in which West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey led a coalition of 22 state attorneys general as amici curiae. St. Mary's Catholic preschool sued Colorado after being excluded from the state's universal preschool program because key tenets of Catholic belief about marriage and biological sex were deemed discriminatory. The coalition argues that First Amendment Free Exercise protections apply even when state actions use facially neutral language.

AG Nessel Reissues AI Scams Consumer Alert During Money Smart Week

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a consumer alert warning residents about AI voice cloning scams during Money Smart Week. Scammers are using audio from social media to clone voices and spoof phone numbers of loved ones to demand money via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. The alert provides prevention recommendations and victim response steps.

Live Nation Will Pay $9.9M for Deceptive Ticket Pricing

The District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General has settled with Live Nation for $9.9 million over allegations of deceptive ticket pricing, hidden fees, and misleading pressure tactics from 2015 to May 2025. The settlement requires Live Nation to display total ticket prices upfront and provide additional fee disclosures, with up to $8.9 million going to consumer refunds. The settlement resolves a consumer protection investigation separate from an ongoing antitrust case.

DCR Employee Charged with Fraud, Theft, Identity Theft

The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General's Special Investigation and Prosecution Division charged DCR employee Julianne Kaniaupio with nine criminal charges including Fraud, Official Misconduct, Credit Card Theft, Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, Unauthorized Possession of Confidential Personal Information, Attempted Theft in the Second Degree, Identity Theft in the Third Degree, and Theft in the Third Degree. Kaniaupio allegedly used her position to steal a credit card containing $8,960.11 from an inmate's out-processing paperwork and withdrew $500 in cash before the card was deactivated.

AG Secures Public Release of Amazon Price Fixing Evidence in San Francisco Superior Court Case

California Attorney General Rob Bonta publicly released unredacted evidence from the state's lawsuit against Amazon for illegal price fixing. The evidence, filed as a motion for preliminary injunction in San Francisco Superior Court, details how Amazon allegedly coerced vendors to raise prices on competitor websites, involving retailers including Walmart, Target, Chewy, Best Buy, Home Depot, and Wayfair. The filing includes specific examples of coordinated price increases across multiple product categories including apparel, pet treats, eyeglasses, and plant fertilizer.

Paxton Sues ActBlue, $16B Platform, Donation Fraud

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit against ActBlue, a political fundraising platform that has processed over $16 billion since 2004, alleging the platform deceived consumers about its donor vetting safeguards and allowed fraudulent and potentially foreign donations. Investigators from the Office of the Attorney General found that ActBlue continues to accept gift card and prepaid debit card donations despite public representations that it had ceased the practice, creating a substantial risk of impermissible contributions.

Murphys to Pay $115k Settlement Over Lead Hazards and Unsafe Housing Conditions

New York Attorney General Letitia James secured a $115,000 settlement with Syracuse landlords Brian A. Murphy and Harry Murphy following an investigation into lead hazards and unsafe housing conditions. The Murphys owned and managed dozens of pre-1978 rental properties with deteriorating lead-based paint, resulting in hundreds of violations and elevated blood lead levels in at least seven children. Under the settlement, the Murphys must pay $35,000 for a tenant relief fund and commit at least $80,000 toward lead inspections, risk assessments, and remediation work, while also complying with independent monitoring and annual inspection requirements.

Child Predator Section Arrests Fugitive with Gun in Bethlehem

Pennsylvania Attorney General's Child Predator Section arrested Noel A. Tirado, 41, a fugitive from Northampton County, after agents executing a warrant found him hiding under blankets on a child's bed in Bethlehem. Agents discovered a loaded 9mm handgun concealed in a nearby bedroom dresser drawer. Tirado faces charges for manufacturing and possession of child sexual abuse material, possession of a prohibited firearm, and criminal use of a communication facility, with bail set at $1 million cash.

Cash Scam Alert: 'Trusted Person' Pickup Fraud Targeting Pennsylvanians

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday issued a consumer alert warning Pennsylvanians about cash pickup scams using trusted intermediaries. Two recent cases in Pennsylvania resulted in combined losses exceeding $30,000. The AG's Bureau of Consumer Protection provided guidance on avoiding these scams, including never paying cash to unknown persons and verifying emergency requests through trusted channels.

Federal Court Permanently Blocks HHS Gender-Affirming Care Declaration

A federal district court issued a written opinion and judgment permanently blocking HHS Secretary Kennedy's December 18, 2024 declaration that certain forms of gender-affirming care for youth with gender dysphoria are 'unsafe and ineffective.' The court granted summary judgment for the plaintiff states, finding the declaration exceeded federal statutory authority, failed required notice-and-comment rulemaking procedures, and improperly interfered with states' rights to regulate medical practice and design Medicaid plans. Twenty-two state attorneys general led by Washington, Oregon, and New York secured the ruling protecting healthcare providers from threats of exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid programs.

AG Mayes Urges CFPB to Maintain Enforcement Staffing

Arizona Attorney General Mayes joined a coalition of 23 state AGs in urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to abandon plans to drastically reduce enforcement and supervision staffing. The coalition opposes the CFPB's proposed strategic plan to cut the Office of Supervision Policy and Operations from 72 staff to 1 person. The AGs warn this would undermine the CFPB's statutory obligation to supervise financial institutions and result in less consumer protection. The letter cites that consumers have received over $21 billion in relief from CFPB enforcement since 2008.

Attorney General Mayes and Better Business Bureau Warn Arizonans About Romance Scam

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau issued a public service announcement warning Arizonans about romance scams, which are described as among the most financially devastating fraud types tracked. Three Arizonans recently filed complaints describing losses totaling $155,000, with individual losses including one case where a Scottsdale woman sent $55,000 through a cash app to someone claiming to be living in Syria. The announcement provides warning signs and consumer protection guidance but imposes no new compliance obligations.

AG Uthmeier Secures Death Sentence for Joseph Zieler

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Capital Appeals Division secured affirmation of a death sentence for Joseph Zieler at the Florida Supreme Court. Zieler was convicted for the 1990 murder and rape of an 11-year-old girl and her babysitter during a home invasion; he evaded justice for decades until CODIS DNA linked him to the crimes. The affirmation represents one of the first capital sentences under Florida's new death penalty law (SB 450), which reduced the jury threshold from unanimous to a supermajority of eight jurors.

Consumer Alert: Bitcoin ATM Scam Warning for Michigan Residents

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a consumer alert warning residents about Bitcoin ATM scams during Money Smart Week (April 17-21, 2026). Scammers are using Bitcoin ATMs to defraud victims by instructing them to deposit cash converted to Bitcoin after receiving fraudulent calls claiming to be from companies or law enforcement. The alert notes that Bitcoin ATM transactions lack regulatory oversight and consumer protections, making money virtually unrecoverable once sent.

Jan-Pro Franchising Settlement - Worker Misclassification and Wage Theft

The DC Office of the Attorney General secured a $279,000 settlement with Jan-Pro Franchising International and Jan-Pro of Washington resolving a 2022 lawsuit alleging worker misclassification and wage theft. The companies must pay $54,800 in restitution to affected janitors and $224,200 in penalties to the District. The settlement also mandates operational reforms including eliminating noncompete restrictions and giving sub-franchisees genuine control over their work.

Court Halts Nexstar/TEGNA Merger in Antitrust Challenge

California Attorney General Rob Bonta secured a preliminary injunction from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California halting the Nexstar/Tegna merger. A coalition of eight attorneys general challenged the $6.2 billion deal that would have created the largest broadcast station group covering 80% of U.S. television households. The court ordered the broadcasting titans to stop merging while litigation proceeds.

Nine Medicaid Providers Indicted for $181,512 Fraud

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced criminal indictments against nine Medicaid providers for fraud and theft totaling $181,512. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated cases involving falsified timesheets, services not provided, billing while clients were hospitalized, and unauthorized caregivers. One provider also faces charges for stealing a client's debit card.

AG Jeff Jackson Highlights NC Medicaid Fraud Prosecution Efforts

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson testified before the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform highlighting the Medicaid Investigations Division's fraud prosecution efforts. Since its creation, MID has recovered over $1.2 billion in restitution and civil damages, including $296 million between 2019-2025, ranking eighth nationally. MID employs data mining and AI tools to proactively identify Medicaid provider fraud, having conducted 68 investigations since 2017 that yielded convictions and settlements exceeding $37 million.

Live Nation Ticketmaster Found Guilty of Antitrust Violations

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a jury verdict against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and Ticketmaster LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The jury found that Live Nation operated an illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry. Consumers were overcharged by an estimated $1.72 per ticket, which the company could be ordered to pay back.

Attorney General Uthmeier Subpoenas Environmental Law Institute

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has issued a subpoena to the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) and its Climate Judiciary Project (CJP) as part of an investigation into potential violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The subpoena demands records relating to ELI/CJP's interactions with Florida judges, fundraising activities in Florida, funding sources, communications with climate activists, and involvement with climate plaintiff funders.

AG McCuskey Joins Coalition Supporting PBM Transparency Rule

West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter supporting a proposed U.S. Department of Labor rule to increase transparency from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) servicing employer-funded health plans under ERISA. The proposed rule would require PBMs to disclose twice annually how they generate revenue and give employers the right to audit them. The coalition urged the Labor Department to clarify that the proposed rule does not preempt state PBM transparency laws.

FTC and Seven States Settle Antitrust Case with Dentsu, WPP and Publicis

The FTC and a coalition of eight states including West Virginia reached a settlement with Dentsu, WPP (GroupM), and Publicis in an antitrust lawsuit alleging the companies secretly coordinated to create "brand safety" rules that cut off advertising revenue to conservative news outlets. Federal court-approved agreed orders permanently enjoin the companies from entering into agreements setting common brand safety standards or restricting advertising based on politically motivated criteria.

AG Nessel Seeks 61% Cut to Consumers Energy $240M Rate Hike

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony with the Michigan Public Service Commission urging a 61% reduction to Consumers Energy's $240 million natural gas rate hike request, seeking to slash the increase by more than $146 million. The AG's Department found the utility's application contained inflated capital spending projections and unreasonable profit margins, and recommended rejecting a Revenue Decoupling Mechanism that would shift weather-related losses to ratepayers. If adopted, the proposed 10% overall rate hike would be reduced to approximately 3.5%.

AG Nessel Statement on Live Nation Antitrust Jury Verdict

Michigan AG Dana Nessel issued a statement following a jury verdict in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York finding Live Nation and Ticketmaster illegally monopolized the live events and ticketing market. The jury also found the companies illegally tied venues to concert promotion, using dominant control over venues, ticketing services, and promotions to harm concertgoers. Michigan was a co-plaintiff alongside other states in the antitrust action.

Franklin County Farm Settles Water Quality Case for $78,000

Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark announced a $78,000 civil penalty settlement with Jacques Parent and others for alleged water quality violations at a large farm operation in Franklin County. The settlement resolves claims brought on behalf of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and Agency of Natural Resources. Violations included spreading manure on snow, discharging to surface waters, improper silage leachate management, failure to maintain vegetative buffer strips, and using an uncertified manure pit.

Hawaii AG Urges Public to Verify Charities Before Donating to Kona Low Disaster Relief

The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General's Tax & Charities Division issued a consumer alert urging residents to verify charities before donating to Kona Low storm and flood relief efforts. The alert provides resources including the Hawaii Attorney General charity portal, IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, Charity Navigator, and DCCA Business Search. Crowdfunding organizers are reminded they must obtain written consent from charities before conducting fundraisers and charities must register with the department before soliciting donations in Hawaii.

Nevada AG Ford Announces First-of-its-Kind $10M Roblox Settlement for Child Safety

Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced a settlement with Roblox Corporation requiring the platform to implement comprehensive child safety measures. The agreement requires $10 million to fund non-digital youth programs and mandates age verification using facial age estimation technology and government-issued ID. Roblox must also deploy behavioral monitoring to identify incorrectly aged users and provide expanded parental controls.

Nevada AG Wins Antitrust Trial Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster

A Nevada state jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for antitrust violations after a five-week trial. The jury determined that the companies unlawfully maintained and abused monopoly power in the live entertainment ticketing market, eliminating competition and driving up costs for fans, artists, and venues. The verdict was obtained by a bipartisan coalition of 40 state attorneys general alongside the U.S. Department of Justice.

Court Denies Amazon Summary Judgment Motion in Antitrust Price Fixing Case

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a victory in the state's ongoing antitrust case against Amazon. The San Francisco Superior Court denied Amazon's motion for summary judgment on its seventh crossclaim, rejecting Amazon's argument that removing 'Add to Cart' and 'Buy Now' buttons from non-compliant merchant products is legal or procompetitive. Trial is set for January 19, 2027, following a preliminary injunction hearing on July 23, 2026.

Former Church Board Member Olsson Indicted for $3.8M Theft

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the 24-count indictment of Olof Olsson, 45, of Manhattan, for allegedly stealing more than $3.8 million from the Swedish Church of New York (Swedish Seamen's Church) while serving as a board member and financial advisor from 2016 to 2023. Olsson allegedly funneled church donation money into accounts he controlled and falsified financial records to conceal the theft. If convicted on the top count of Grand Larceny in the First Degree, Olsson faces 8 and one-third to 25 years in prison.

3 Motorcycle Club Members Charged with Organized Retail Theft and Robbery at Harley Davidson Dealerships

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced criminal charges against three members of the Maryland-based Guerilla Motorcycle Club for organized retail theft and robbery at Harley Davidson dealerships in five eastern Pennsylvania counties. The defendants are charged with felony corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, robbery, and related offenses. The crimes occurred between April 2, 2025, and July 20, 2025, in Bucks, Dauphin, Lehigh, Monroe, and York counties, with stolen motorcycles totaling nearly $200,000.

MV Realty Settlement: Terminate 1,300 Mortgages and $645K Restitution

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a settlement with MV Realty PBC, LLC resolving litigation filed in 2022. The company agreed to terminate more than 1,300 mortgages recorded on Pennsylvania properties through its Homeowner Benefit Program, cancel all existing contracts, and pay $645,595 in restitution to consumers. MV Realty and officer Amanda Zachman face $1,663,000 and $50,000 in civil penalties respectively, suspended contingent on compliance.

Coalition of 34 State AGs Wins Antitrust Jury Verdict Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster

A Maryland jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for violating federal and state antitrust laws, determining they unlawfully maintained monopoly power in ticketing services and large amphitheater venues. The verdict follows a five-week trial in which the coalition of 34 attorneys general proved that Live Nation's control over venue ownership, event promotion, and ticketing suppressed competition and caused consumers to pay higher prices for concert tickets.

Xponential Fitness Settles Maryland Franchise Disclosure Violations for $75K

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a settlement with Xponential Fitness, Inc., a franchisor of fitness studio brands including Club Pilates, Yoga Six, and Stretch Lab, resolving alleged violations of Maryland Franchise Law. The state's Securities Division alleged that Xponential misrepresented typical franchise opening times as six months or less when actual times were closer to a year or longer, and failed to disclose legally mandated contact information for former franchisees. Under the Consent Order, Xponential paid a $75,000 civil monetary penalty and agreed to offer termination and fee refunds to certain Maryland franchisees with unopened studios.

AG Brown, 33 States Win Trial Against Live Nation

AG Brown, 33 States Win Trial Against Live Nation

Utah AG Derek Brown Leads Coalition to Victory Against Live Nation and Ticketmaster

Utah Attorney General Derek Brown and a coalition of states secured a trial victory against Live Nation and Ticketmaster. The enforcement action addressed antitrust concerns in the live entertainment and ticketing industry. This multi-state coalition win sets a precedent for enforcement against anticompetitive practices in the ticketing marketplace.

Iowa AG Leads 13-State Coalition Urging Credit Card Firms to Block Illegal Vape Payments

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced she is leading a coalition of 13 attorneys general in sending a letter to major credit card companies—Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover—urging them to identify and remove merchants selling illegal vape products from their payment networks. The letter cites that illegal vapes, predominantly manufactured in China, account for over $11 billion in annual U.S. retail sales and more than 80% of all vape sales nationwide. The coalition invokes precedent from 2005, when state AGs and ATF successfully worked with payment card networks to stop illegal internet cigarette sales, and requests that the credit card companies publicize steps they have taken to address this issue.

AG Mayes and Coalition Win Trial Against Live Nation, Jury Finds Antitrust Violations

A federal jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for violating federal and state antitrust laws by maintaining monopoly power in ticketing and live event markets. The jury determined Ticketmaster unlawfully monopolized ticketing services at major concert venues and Live Nation unlawfully tied its amphitheater services to event promotion. Fans were found to have been overcharged for concert tickets. Remedies and financial penalties will be determined at a separate bench trial.

$7M APS Settlement Resolves Extreme Heat Disconnection Violations

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes secured a $7 million settlement with Arizona Public Service Company (APS), the state's largest electric utility, resolving allegations of Consumer Fraud Act violations related to disconnection practices during extreme heat. APS will pay $2.75 million into the state's Consumer Protection fund, provide $1 million in bill credits to eligible customers, and invest $3.1 million in consumer protection programmatic improvements. The settlement requires APS to implement a temperature-based disconnection policy, reinstating the 95-degree hold on residential power shutoffs for nonpayment when dangerous heat is forecast.

AG Jeff Jackson Warns North Carolinians About Tax Day Scams

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued a consumer alert on Tax Day warning residents about an increase in tax-related scams. Scammers are deploying fake IRS websites to steal personal information and promising unrealistic refunds. The alert advises consumers to guard their Social Security numbers, ignore unsolicited IRS calls, and watch for tax refund theft. Victims are directed to file complaints with the NC DOJ or report incidents through the AG's consumer fraud hotline.

NC Reports Record 2,349 Data Breaches, 9.3M Exposed

The North Carolina Attorney General's office reported a record 2,349 data breaches in 2025, exposing personal information of nearly 9.3 million North Carolinians. Following a March 31 hack where malicious versions of the Axios JavaScript library were published and installed malware on affected systems, AG Jeff Jackson is urging businesses to immediately audit their software systems. Businesses that used Axios must check for compromised versions, remove affected systems from networks, and report any breach involving North Carolinians' personal information to the state's Consumer Protection Division.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson Wins Live Nation/Ticketmaster Antitrust Case on All Claims

A jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable on all antitrust claims after a seven-week trial, holding that the companies illegally monopolized the ticketing and large amphitheater markets for live entertainment events. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined 33 other state attorneys general in bringing the case, which will proceed to a second phase where the judge will determine remedies to break the company's monopoly hold on the live entertainment industry.

Kobach Secures Landmark Win in Live Nation/Ticketmaster Monopolization Case

A Kansas jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for violating federal and state antitrust laws by maintaining monopolies in ticketing services at major concert venues and large amphitheaters. The jury also found Live Nation unlawfully ties its event promotion services to artists using its amphitheaters, and that fans were overcharged for concert tickets. A separate bench trial will determine remedies and financial penalties.

Jury Finds Live Nation and Ticketmaster Liable for Antitrust Violations

A jury found Live Nation and Ticketmaster liable for violating federal and state antitrust laws after a five-week trial. The jury determined that Ticketmaster unlawfully maintains a monopoly in the ticketing services market at major concert venues, and Live Nation monopolizes large amphitheaters while illegally tying artist promotion services. The AG coalition of 33 states successfully proved the companies eliminated competition and overcharged fans for concert tickets. Remedies and financial penalties will be determined at a separate bench trial.

Florida AG Launches Public Assistance Fraud Task Force

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the launch of the Public Assistance Fraud Task Force and appointed Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Scott Strauss as Special Prosecutor. The Task Force will provide legal counsel and streamline criminal prosecution for state agencies and law enforcement investigating fraud in public benefit programs including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, housing, and reemployment assistance. Law enforcement agencies interested in participating should contact the Office of Statewide Prosecution at PAFT@myfloridalegal.com.