Republican attorneys general (AGs) from 19 states, led by Utah AG Sean D. Reyes, filed an amicus brief urging the Fifth Circuit to rehear a case after a panel of judges declined to entertain a lawsuit challenging diversity rules.[1] The lawsuit was filed by two conservative groups, the Alliance for Fair Board Recruitment and National Center for Public Policy Research, in their attempt to overturn a Nasdaq rule that requires companies to disclose board diversity data. The AGs argue that the rule, which was approved by the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause and could undermine state law and policy on corporate board composition and racial and gender preferences.Continue Reading State AGs Write Amicus Brief Arguing Nasdaq Diversity Rule Is Unconstitutional

On November 22, Wisconsin Attorney General (AG) Josh Kaul announced that his office settled a civil enforcement action against Paul Bugar Trucking, Inc. and its owner, Paul J. Bugar. Kaul alleged the defendants violated a Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit for the company’s nonmetallic mining operations in Clark County, WI.

Continue Reading Wisconsin DOJ Settles Environmental Enforcement Action With Trucking Company Over Alleged Water Pollution Violations

Similar to other state consumer data protection acts enacted over the past two years, the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) allows Colorado consumers to opt out of the sale of personal data and the processing of such data for targeted advertising purposes. Beginning on July 1, 2024, companies controlling personal data that fall within the purview of the CPA must allow consumers to opt out via a universal opt-out mechanism (UOOM).

Continue Reading Colorado AG Releases Personal Data Universal Opt-Out List for Public Comment

Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Andrea Campbell recently announced a number of citations against Quick Temp., Inc. (the company), its owner, and its manager, for alleged wage, sick time, and records violations.

Continue Reading Massachusetts AG Announces $1.3M in Citations Against Local Company for Wage Violations

On November 20, Delaware Attorney General (AG) Kathy Jennings, along with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and 11 other states, announced a settlement in excess of $30 million with Prehired LLC and affiliated debt collection companies. This settlement resolves allegations of unlawful practices in originating, servicing, collecting, and enforcing Income Sharing Agreements (ISAs) in violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, the Truth in Lending Act, and its implementing Regulation Z, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Specifically, regulators alleged in a July 2023 complaint that the ISAs were unlawful, and that Prehired and its affiliates made false promises of job placement and resorted to abusive debt collection practices when borrowers could not pay. As part of the stipulated final judgment entered by the Delaware bankruptcy court, Prehired is required to cease all operations, pay $4.2 million in redress to students who made loan payments between 2019 and 2023, pay $1 million to the CFPB victims relief fund, and void all of its outstanding ISAs, which are valued at nearly $27 million.

Continue Reading Delaware Bankruptcy Court Enters $30M Stipulated Judgment Over Deceptive Student Loan Practices

In the latest episode of Regulatory Oversight, Gene Fishel and Mike Lafleur welcome Pat Moore and Jared Rinehimer from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s (AG) Office to discuss online sports wagering. They cover the recently enacted Massachusetts Sports Wagering Act, the associated role of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, related rules addressing advertising and data privacy, and the overall concerns of the AG’s office.

Continue Reading Game On: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Sports Wagering

On November 3, Colorado Attorney General (AG) Phil Weiser announced that his office reached a settlement with Touchstone Partners, Inc. (Touchstone), a noted debt management company. The AG’s allegations were that Touchstone had violated the Colorado Debt Management Services Act (C.R.S. § 5-19-201 et seq.).

Continue Reading Colorado AG Settles With Debt Management Company Over Failure to Provide Customers With Signed Agreements

Last week, Michigan Attorney General (AG) Dana Nessel formally launched an investigation under the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) into the marketing and business practices of a group of interconnected pest control companies operating under various aliases across Michigan and surrounding states. As part of the investigation, civil subpoenas were served on Kyle Scappaticci, Emily Scappaticci, and Kevin Scappaticci, who allegedly run numerous pest and wildlife control businesses, including Pestway LLC, Michigan Wildlife Removal LLC, and Platinum Wildlife Removal LLC.

Continue Reading Michigan AG Launches Investigation Into Deceptive Practices by Pest Control Operators

On November 7, Virginia Attorney General (AG) Jason Miyares reminded suppliers that the current state of emergency caused by wildfires triggered Virginia’s anti-price gouging statutes, which prohibit businesses from raising prices to “unconscionable” levels during an emergency.

Continue Reading Virginia AG Reminds Suppliers: Price Gouging Laws in Effect Due to Wildfires