On October 21, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced a settlement with two debt settlement companies, Financial Solutions Group and Accelerated Debt Settlement.
Company Enters $10M Settlement to Resolve Deceptive Advertising Claims
Illinois Attorney General (AG) Kwame Raoul entered a settlement with Teleperformance Colombia SAS, TPUSA Inc., and Teleperformance SE (collectively, Teleperformance). The agreement resolves allegations that Teleperformance engaged in deceptive marketing practices in violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the Telephone Solicitations Act.
Pennsylvania AG Sues Robotics Toy Company for Alleged Failure to Fulfill Prepaid Orders
In September, Pennsylvania Attorney General (AG) Michelle Henry filed a lawsuit against Pittsburgh-based Digital Dream Labs, Inc., and its CEO, Harold Jacob Hanchar, individually and in his capacity as CEO. In the lawsuit, Henry brings causes of action under the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, 73 P.S. § 201-1, et seq., and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Mail Order Rule in connection with to the company’s sale of certain edtech tools and small robots — namely, the Vector 2.0, Cozmo 2.0, and Butter Robot product lines.
Virginia Takes Action Against Retailer Selling THC Products
What Happened
On September 14, Virginia’s Attorney General (AG) Jason Miyares issued a letter to the registered agent of the Good Vibes Shop, a Radford, VA store, for selling tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products without proper labeling and packaging. The AG’s letter alleges that the store’s THC products lacked child-resistant packaging and appropriate labeling, including ingredient lists, THC content, and age restrictions, in violation of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA). As we have recently discussed, the AG’s letter is part of a broader effort among states to protect consumers amid the evolving federal and state cannabis regulatory landscape.
The Rise of State Attorney General Privacy Enforcement
This article was originally published on October 2, 2024 in Westlaw Today. It is republished here with permission.
Gene Fishel and Whitney Shephard of Troutman Pepper highlight states with established privacy enforcement units, discuss the corresponding privacy acts in those states, and give recommendations for companies to mitigate risk and navigate a rapidly developing patchwork of regulatory standards.
Kentucky AG Clarifies Legal Status of Gray Machines and Risk-Free-Play Devices – Implications for the Industry
Gambling machines in Kentucky have recently come under increased scrutiny following the enactment of House Bill 594, which amended the definition of “gambling device” under Kentucky law, effective June of last year. The law significantly impacts the legality of certain gaming devices, requiring industry participants to adjust their product offerings within the state.
States Join Colorado in Defense of Interest Rate Opt-Out Law
On September 20, 13 states and Washington, D.C. joined Colorado in its appeal asking the Tenth Circuit to uphold a state law imposing more restrictive interest rate caps on loans from out-of-state banks to residents, arguing that U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Domenico’s injunction “disrupts [ ] careful Congressional balancing and will allow online lenders to flout usury laws.”
Are Plastics the New PFAS?
A recent conference led by Connecticut Attorney General (AG) William Tong discussed the alleged problems and potential solutions associated with plastics use and waste. Conference attendees included nearly two dozen representatives from state AG offices, medical and public health researchers, and leaders in the recycling and reclamation industry. Conversations focused on plastics’ tendency to break down in the environment and, as a result, expose people and the environment to harmful chemicals. The concerns surrounding plastics in many ways parallel the concerns surrounding PFAS, an industry targeted recently by civil and criminal enforcement actions in multiple states. Businesses up and down the plastics supply chain should take note and prepare for potential state actions that put plastics in the crosshairs.
Wisconsin Joins 30-State Settlement in Landmark Unclaimed Property Case
In a significant development for state unclaimed property programs, Wisconsin has joined a bipartisan coalition of 30 states in reaching a settlement with Delaware, effectively concluding a long-standing dispute over unclaimed official checks issued by MoneyGram Payment Systems, Inc. (MoneyGram). This settlement follows a unanimous 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled these checks are governed by the Federal Disposition Act.
Takeaways From Texas AG’s Novel AI Health Settlement
Published in Law360 on September 27, 2024. © Copyright 2024, Portfolio Media, Inc., publisher of Law360. Reprinted here with permission.
On Sept. 18, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a settlement with healthcare technology company Pieces Technology pursuant to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act.