Announcements, information & updates from the Attorney General Alliance Members and Associates
April 8, 2022
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This convening will bring together a variety of stakeholders shaping the direction of this industry with the State Attorneys General Community. The Cannabis Project Spring Meeting will focus on combatting illicit market activity and understanding social equity programs. |
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This seminar provides the unique opportunity to discuss the emerging challenges faced by brand owners and government agencies in combating illicit trade and counterfeiting. This seminar will offer the chance to share strategies, examples and innovative new ideas through interactive panel discussions, case studies and presentations. |
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The US/Mexico Binational Attorney General Summit will provide a forum for state Attorneys General from the United States and Mexico, as well as federal agencies and private sector partners to share experiences and advances in border issues. The Summit provides a forum for collaboration at the state, national and binational level on diverse topics such as human trafficking, intellectual property, cannabis, money laundering, asset forfeiture, and cybercrime in the U.S. and Mexico.
Each of the state Attorneys General from Mexico and the United States will be able to participate in this binational exchange. If you are interested in joining us for the US/Mexico Binational Attorney General Summit please reach out to Ale Stephens at astephens@agalliance.org.
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CONFERENCE SUMMARY
AND DIGITAL WHITE PAPER
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Last week AGA’s Spring Policy Conference, which focused on various technology issues, was held with over 200 attendees and was well received by the AGs in attendance. The first part of the conference saw panels on significant privacy issues including discussions about recent statutory development and privacy legislation in various states. AG Rob Bonta also moderated a panel that examined issues about creating a safer space for users of social media. Finally, AG Lynn Fitch led an in-depth discussion about cybersecurity issues that included several private industry experts.
The second day of educational programming provided information to the AG community about all types of virtual assets, blockchain technology and how business is working with the public sector to allow this new industry to innovate while protecting consumers. The discussions between AGs and private partners remain ongoing and AGA will continue to drive the dialogue about this important new policy front. In furtherance of this goal, and in response to the leadership of AGs Donovan and Ravnsborg, AGA has also published a white paper on digital assets designed to assist AG offices across the nation understand more about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology.
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Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced that Nevada has joined with other states and the federal government to settle allegations of Medicaid fraud involving MD Spine Solutions LLC, d/b/a MD Labs Inc. and its principal owners Denis Grizelj and Matthew Rutledge. MD Labs, a California corporation headquartered in Reno, operates a clinical laboratory specializing in urine drug testing.
The settlement, which is based on MD Labs’ financial circumstances over time, is guaranteed at a minimum of $11.6 million and could reach a maximum of $16 million. Of this amount, Nevada could receive over $335,000.
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“This settlement is yet another example of how my office will not allow bad actors to game the Medicaid system for personal gain. I’m proud of the work our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit put in on this settlement, and I hope this serves as an example to bad actors going forward.”
-Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Smart & Final resolving allegations that the grocer engaged in price gouging of certain types of eggs during the COVID pandemic. Smart & Final operates more than 250 retail stores throughout the western United States, selling groceries and supplies to households and small businesses. Between March 4, 2020 and June 22, 2020, Smart & Final increased the price of four premium egg products beyond what was allowable during a state of emergency. The settlement requires Smart & Final to pay $175,000 in penalties and will permanently enjoin Smart & Final from future violations of the Unfair Competition Law, Penal Code Section 396, or any related Executive Orders related to price-gouging.
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Connecticut Attorney General William Tong recently announced that he has commenced investigations into over 160 gas station complaints. With the state’s Gas Tax Holiday in effect, many motorists around the state benefited from lower fuel prices. While motorists were filling their tanks, the attorney general’s office was investigating. It is looking into 163 complaints they’ve received about some service stations not dropping the $.25 cent tax as part of the holiday initiative. The office of the Attorney General said it has sent out 83 letters to service stations requesting information about their pricing.
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“Starting today, April 1, the 25-cent state tax on gasoline is suspended. Any retailer suspected of charging this tax or a portion of this tax will be investigated and subject to penalties under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act."
-Connecticut Attorney General William Tong
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Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul stated that an Illinois plant dumped and hid chemicals in the surrounding water. The Illinois attorney general alleges that 3M knowingly manufactured and used dangerous chemicals for years, ultimately contaminating the nearby Mississippi River, residential wells and surface, ground and drinking water around its Cordova facility, according to a new lawsuit. Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed the suit in Rock Island County Circuit Court, saying that 3M has been aware of the toxicity of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals for decades, but downplayed the negative impacts. Now, the continued use of such substances have resulted in substantial health and environmental risks, the lawsuit maintains.
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GENDER-BASED DISCRIMINATION |
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New York Attorney General Letitia James continues her fight against gender-based discrimination, calling on the National Football League (NFL) to address recent allegations of workplace inequity. In a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Attorney General James — leading a coalition of six attorneys general — expressed grave concerns about recent reports of the NFL’s hostile workplace culture. Recent reports indicate that more than 30 former employees have now come forward and described a pervasive culture of sexism and widespread workplace discrimination within the NFL, including but not limited to, sexual harassment, targeted retaliation, and harmful stereotyping. The letter demands the league to take swift action to improve workplace conditions and protect its female employees.
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Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced that the Legislature passed a law promoting equal pay for equal work for Mississippi women. She proudly announced that the state will join the rest of the nation in promoting the basic fairness of equal pay. Mississippi will take a giant leap forward in closing the twenty-seven percent pay gap. AG Fitch emphasizes that a pay gap makes it harder for working women and their families and leads to young Mississippi women taking their talents beyond their borders and perpetuating the cycle of poverty in the State.
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Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced she is partnering with state leaders to help prevent and address hate and bias incidents in school athletic programs in Massachusetts. AG Healey announced the partnership during a virtual event called “Addressing Hate & Bias in School Athletics: A Call to Action,” that her office hosted in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, and Massachusetts School Administrators’ Association. The event provided a robust discussion and resources for school administrators, athletic directors, coaches, and referees.
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“Sports can be a powerful tool for bringing people together, but in recent months we’ve seen too many examples where the hate and bias that infects so much of our culture has made its way into our locker rooms and onto our playing fields. At the end of the day, there is nothing more important than investing in the health and well-being of our young people. I want to thank our partner organizations and school leaders who are ready to build positive change throughout the state.”
-Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey
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Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced one of three men convicted last month for operating an organized retail theft scheme was sentenced to five years in prison. Micah Allen Pierce, Jesse Raul Henderson, and Clint Anthony Anaya were convicted for stealing $28,000 in ceiling fans from home improvement stores and reselling them for much lower prices online.
Surveillance video from 2020 shows the brazen thefts as one of the suspects walks out of Home Depot and Lowe's stores with a flatbed and sometimes shopping carts filled with new boxes of fans. Investigators say 28 thefts netted a total of 70 ceiling fans taken from the home improvement stores.
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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform recently sent a letter urging Congress take action to address the rise of organized retail theft – arguing the issue has become a national emergency that is hurting businesses and contributing to higher prices for consumers.
The business advocacy group outlined its concerns this week in a letter addressed to Congress, the National Governors Association, and other policymakers — noting a survey in which 54% of small business owners said they experienced increased shoplifting in 2021.
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Navigating Community Concerns Around Your Facial Recognition Program was held on April 7, 2022, featuring Jon Bruning, Nebraska Attorney General (2003-2015), and Skylor Hearn, Director of Government Affairs, Clearview AI, Lt. Col. and Deputy Director Texas Department of Public Service (retired).
The goal was to educate and empower community leaders by building trusted relationships with their staff, elected officials, constituents, community members, and media. These relationships are crucial in creating a successful facial recognition technology (FRT) program. Key components include communication, education, transparency, and planning.
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Missed our live programs? No problem! Follow the button below to visit our Virtual Seminar Library for access to all recordings.
Do you have a webinar topic suggestion? We want to hear from you! Please email ideas to Patricia Salazar at PSalazar@AGAlliance.org.
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CWAG Executive Committee
AG Alliance Co-Chairs
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Attorney General Alliance 5050 | Laguna Blvd., Ste. 112-323 | Elk Grove, CA 95758
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