On March 10, California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta announced an investigative sweep of the location data industry for potential noncompliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
FDA’s New Lead Guidelines: A Milestone for Safer Baby Foods
In recent years, the safety of baby food has become a top priority for state attorneys general (AG) and federal agencies. In April 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its “Closer to Zero” plan to “reduce dietary exposure to contaminants to as low as possible, while maintaining access to nutritious foods.” However, multiple coalitions of state AGs have been vocal in advocating for more stringent and urgent measures. Over the last four years, these coalitions have urged the FDA to take decisive action to ensure the safety of baby food products, particularly as it relates to the presence of toxic metals. In January 2025, the FDA issued final guidance setting action levels for lead in processed foods intended for babies and young children under the age of two.
State AGs and the FTC Warn of 23andMe Risks Following Bankruptcy Announcement
Several state attorneys general (AGs) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have begun scrutinizing ancestry tracking company 23andMe following its recent announcement that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As part of these efforts, the AGs have issued alerts on ways consumers can exercise their rights under state privacy laws, and the FTC has issued letters stressing potential risks to U.S. bankruptcy trustees. 23andMe, which was founded in 2006, has collected DNA and associated genetic material on seven million American customers to provide information related to those customers’ ancestry.
Crypto Investment Firm Agrees to Pay New York AG $200M to Resolve Market Manipulation Allegations Regarding Sale of Failed Token
On March 24, cryptocurrency investment firm Galaxy Digital Holdings (Galaxy) entered into an assurance of discontinuance (AOD) with New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James to resolve allegations that Galaxy engaged in misrepresentations when it promoted the failed algorithmic cryptocurrency Luna from 2020 to 2022.
Massachusetts AG Indicts Health Care Providers and Owners for Submission of Allegedly False Medicaid Claims
The Office of Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Andrea Campbell announced the criminal indictment of several Massachusetts-based health care providers and their owners in connection with allegedly false claims they submitted to the Massachusetts Medicaid program, MassHealth. In what Campbell characterized as a fraud and kickback arrangement, the defendants submitted more than $7.8 million in false claims for reimbursement associated with urine drug tests and home health services that were not provided, not medically necessary, or not properly authorized.
Florida AG Settles Alleged Moving Brokerage Scheme, Banning Defendants and Securing $4M in Judgments
On March 21, Florida Attorney General (AG) James Uthmeier’s Consumer Protection Division announced the resolution of ongoing litigation against a network of moving brokerage companies accused of misleading consumers. These companies, including Gold Standard Moving and Storage, allegedly misrepresented their services by claiming to offer professional, door-to-door moving services when they were operating as brokers, quoting low prices to secure large up-front deposits and then outsourcing the moving tasks to unvetted third-party carriers. According to the AG’s office, this practice frequently led to consumers allegedly facing additional and unexpected costs.
New York AG James Proposes Expansion of State Consumer Protection Law
New York Attorney General (AG) Letitia James recently announced her support for legislation that would significantly broaden the state’s consumer protection statute to prohibit not just deceptive acts, but also unfair and abusive business practices. The proposed Fostering Affordability and Integrity through Reasonable (FAIR) Business Practices Act, an idea long backed by leaders of the Biden-era Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, has been introduced in both the New York State Senate and Assembly.
Arizona AG Takes Action Against Company for Alleged Deceptive Marketing Practices
Earlier this month, Arizona Attorney General (AG) Kris Mayes announced a lawsuit alleging that CBR Systems, Inc. (CBR), one of the nation’s largest cord blood banking companies, engaged in deceptive and unfair practices.
Alaska Obtains Six-Figure Civil Penalty in Product Labeling Case
Alaska’s Department of Law’s Consumer Protection Unit recently announced it obtained a Superior Court order issuing a $250,000 civil penalty against B. Merry Studio, which the state alleged to have marketed products as being made in Alaska, when the products were manufactured in the Philippines. The products at issue include knives, figurines, and animal carvings. While some of the products included raw materials sourced from Alaska, the products were assembled in the Philippines. When B. Merry Studio shipped the products to Alaska, their finishings included “Made in Philippines” stickers. The company allegedly replaced these stickers with labels that stated, “Alaskan Made” and “Made in Alaska.”
Arizona AG Pursues Fraudulent Real Estate Scheme Targeting Alleged Fraudsters, Title Companies, Attorneys, and Law Firms
On March 7, Arizona Attorney General (AG) Kristin Mayes filed a novel lawsuit alleging consumer fraud and racketeering against numerous entities, individuals, and even law firms and title companies involved in the residential real estate market. The lawsuit is now pending in Maricopa County. The lawsuit offers a warning to entities, individuals, title companies, and even attorneys and law firms involved in the residential real estate industry.