Troutman Pepper Locke State Attorneys General (AG) team members Lauren Fincher, Michael LaFleur, and Bill LaRosa will speak at a BARBRI CLE on Tuesday, June 9 from 1–2:30 p.m. ET. The program, “Challenging State Civil Investigative Demands Prohibited by Federal Law: Strategies and Practical Tips,” will address strategies and best practices for litigators responding to state AG civil investigative demands (CIDs) and investigative subpoenas, including an introduction to state AG CIDs, response options, and common pitfalls. The panel will also discuss the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in First Choice Women’s Resource Center v. Platkin, _ U.S. _ (2026), and offer approaches tailored to industries frequently targeted by state AG investigations.

On May 22, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a settled enforcement action against Foot Locker, Inc. for using separation agreements that required departing employees to waive their right to receive SEC whistleblower awards, in violation of Exchange Act Rule 21F-17(a). The case is noteworthy not only for its specific facts, but also because it reflects clear continuity in the SEC’s whistleblower-enforcement agenda: after bringing a significant number of Rule 21F-17 cases under prior Chair Gary Gensler, this Foot Locker order is the first such action under Chair Paul Atkins and signals that the current Commission will continue to prioritize whistleblower protections.

On May 13, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed and simultaneously settled with Shutterstock, Inc. (Shutterstock), an online library of stock photos and videos, for $35 million over allegations regarding its subscription and cancellation practices. The FTC alleged that Shutterstock used deceptive “negative option” features in connection with its annual paid‑monthly subscription plans and on‑demand “packs,” charged consumers without their informed consent, and made it difficult for consumers to cancel. Under a stipulated order for permanent injunction, monetary judgment, and other relief, Shutterstock agreed to pay $35 million in consumer redress and make some changes to how it markets, obtains consent for, and cancels subscription offerings.

On May 26, 2026, a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general (AGs) issued a letter opposing the federal Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act (KIDS Act), H.R. 7757. The AGs assert that the KIDS Act would preempt their ability to enforce child online safety laws at the state level.

In this special crossover episode of Payments Pros and The Consumer Finance podcasts, Carlin McCrory, Keith Barnett, and Chris Willis explore the federal government’s increasing attention to “debanking” and what it means for payment processors, money transmitters, banks, and other financial services providers. They discuss recent federal initiatives and agency activity that have heightened scrutiny of decisions to onboard, maintain, or terminate customers and merchants, particularly where those decisions may be perceived as based on political or religious viewpoints.

On May 20, the Missouri attorney general (AG) filed suit in Missouri state court against the cryptocurrency ATM operator GPD Holdings LLC, which does business as CoinFlip. The AG alleges that CoinFlip violated Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act by failing to adequately protect consumers from fraud involving its machines and by not clearly disclosing the full extent of its transaction fees. CoinFlip has denied the allegations and stated that it intends to contest the lawsuit.

A New Jersey queso fresco manufacturer’s ignored U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings culminated in a federal guilty plea after its products were linked to a multistate listeria outbreak that hospitalized at least 13 people and killed one. The case of Abuelito Cheese Inc. illustrates how regulatory noncompliance, left unaddressed, can escalate from civil enforcement into criminal liability under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).

Key point: In response to an open records request submitted by Troutman Pepper Locke, the New Jersey Attorney General’s office provided copies of all cure letters sent pursuant to New Jersey’s consumer data privacy law and resolved by the recipient.

As shown by recent enforcement actions in California, including its most recent $12.5 million fine, the risk for companies that are out of compliance with state consumer data privacy laws has never been higher. As more state laws go into effect and cure periods sunset, the risk will only grow. One state where the enforcement risk may be higher is New Jersey.

On May 11, 2026, the Washington attorney general (AG) settled with Homeaglow Inc. d/b/a Dazzling Cleaning (Homeaglow), a cleaning service company, and related parties, for $2.25 million over alleged violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act for unfair and deceptive advertising and negative option membership practices.

In this episode of The Consumer Finance Podcast, Chris Willis, Lori Sommerfield, Taylor Gess, and Lane Page discuss the CFPB’s sweeping final amendments to Subpart A of Regulation B. The group unpacks the elimination of the disparate impact legal theory from ECOA, the narrowing of the discouragement standard (including what it means for targeted advertising), and the significant new limits on special purpose credit programs (SPCPs). They also explore expected litigation challenges, the continuing role of the Fair Housing Act and state laws in bringing cases under the disparate impact theory, and the practical steps lenders should be taking now to reassess fair lending testing, SPCP design, and redlining risk in light of the final rule.