Federal Enforcement

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On March 6, 2026, a U.S. district court will consider whether to approve a settlement agreement resolving parallel lawsuits by the Texas attorney general (AG) and the federal government against Houston-area developer Colony Ridge Development, LLC and related companies. The complaints in both suits — which were filed during the Biden administration — claim that Colony Ridge discriminatorily targeted Hispanic consumers with predatory financing to purchase land for residences in areas that were in fact uninhabitable.

Stephen Piepgrass, a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy, and Enforcement Practice Group, was quoted in the January 30, 2026 Corporate Compliance Insights article, “CFTC Withdraws Proposed Rule on Prediction Markets.”

“Taken together, these statements leave observers unclear about what position the CFTC may ultimately take on insider trading-type behaviors,” Stephen…

In a pair of recent submissions to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a bipartisan coalition including more than 20 state attorneys general (AG) opposed action by the FCC to preempt state and local laws relating to artificial intelligence (AI). The coalition’s comments reflect persistent concerns among AGs about how businesses use AI when interacting with their residents, even as some federal policymakers support limiting states’ ability to address those concerns.

We recently covered this case here, in which a small manufacturer and retailer sued the Virginia attorney general (AG) and tax commissioner in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, seeking to enjoin enforcement of the vapor product directory law. See Nova Distro, Inc., et al. v. Miyares et al., No. 3:25-cv-857 (E.D.V.A.). There, we also noted another ongoing case challenging a similar law in North Carolina, for which oral argument is scheduled before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on January 29, 2026. See Vapor Technology Association, et al. v. Wooten et al., No. 25-1745 (4th Cir.).

Popular prediction markets platforms recently announced that they have formed the Coalition for Prediction Markets. According to the coalition’s website, it aims to unite exchanges, brokers, and advocates to expand consumer access to safe, transparent, and integrity-driven prediction markets in the U.S. The coalition contends that prediction markets currently operate under a federal framework, but that framework is being threatened by state regulators “seeking to block consumer access and extend their own authority.” This messaging signals that prediction market operators are prepared to vigorously oppose state regulation in an effort to preserve exclusive federal oversight.

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Monday, November 10 | 1:00–3:10 p.m. ET

Lu Reyes and John West, members of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Regulatory Investigations, Strategy + Enforcement practice, will participate in an upcoming CLE webinar with myLawCLE. They will discuss the difference in approaches between state attorney general (AG) investigations and federal enforcement actions.

Summary

  • The False Claims Act (FCA) qui tam provision allows private citizens (relators) to sue on the government’s behalf for FCA violations and receive a portion of any settlement or award.
  • The FCA qui tam provision has evolved since its inception, and recent U.S. Supreme Court cases signal a move to rein in the power of relators.
  • Funding sources, claim truthfulness, and companies’ subjective understanding will be critical issues in FCA enforcement efforts against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
  • The current Court hasn’t ruled on the constitutionality of the FCA qui tam provision because no case before it directly raised the issue, but it may soon have the chance.

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Wednesday, October 29 | 1:00 – 3:10 p.m. ET

Mike Yaghi and Lane Page, members of Troutman Pepper Locke’s State Attorneys General practice, along with Stefanie Jackman and Caleb Rosenberg from the Consumer Financial Services practice, will participate in an upcoming CLE webinar with myLawCLE. They will analyze the evolving roles and enforcement priorities of federal and state regulatory agencies, focusing on their impact on consumer financial services.