On January 26, a Massachusetts Superior Court rejected an effort by the Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) to vacate an order that cast doubt on the constitutionality of a new Massachusetts liquor law.
Pennsylvania AG Settles With Debt Services Law Firm
Pennsylvania Attorney General (AG) Michelle Henry reached a settlement with attorney Erik Helbing and his business, Helbing Law Group, LLC, resolving allegations of deceptive advertising practices and failure to effectively deliver on promised debt settlement services. The law firm advertised that it could facilitate significant reduction in client debts through negotiation or litigation processes using licensed attorneys. According to Henry, these advertisements were false or misleading.
Michigan AG Dana Nessel Sues to Dissolve Detroit Landscaping and Snow Removal Companies
Michigan Attorney General (AG) Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit seeking injunctive relief and dissolution of several limited liability companies owned by John and Michele Church. The Churches’ companies have allegedly violated the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) by engaging in unlawful business practices related to their residential snow removal, lawn care, and landscaping services.
Vermont AG Reaches Settlement Over Motel Program Security Deposit Withholdings
Vermont Attorney General (AG) Charity Clark recently announced the resolution of an investigation into the withholding of security deposits across five motels that were participating in the state’s Transitional Housing Program, also referred to as the “Motel Program.” The settlement establishes a $310,000 restitution pool to provide payments to impacted Vermonters who stayed in motels owned by Anil Sachdev (or companies he controls), along with injunctive relief. Sachdev will also be required to pay $523,600 to the state, which will be suspended for cooperation with the resolution of the matter, including putting adequate funds toward the repair, maintenance, and improvement of the properties he owns.
FTC and Bipartisan State AGs Win Landmark Case Against ‘Pharma Bro’ Martin Shkreli Over Daraprim Monopoly
On January 23, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed a district court ruling that Martin Shkreli, CEO of Vyera Pharmaceuticals (Vyera), violated federal and state laws by engaging in illegal and anticompetitive behavior.
2023 State AG Year in Review
State attorneys general (AGs) continue their role as innovators, shaping the regulatory environment by utilizing their expertise and resources to influence policy and practice. The public-facing nature of the AGs’ office across the U.S. compels responses to constituent concerns on abbreviated timetables. This political sensitivity, coupled with the AGs’ ability to bring the full power of the sovereign to address local and national issues alike, demonstrates why the AGs may be the most formidable authority in the current regulatory environment.
Massachusetts AG Settles With Major Student Loan Servicer for $1.8M Over Faulty Notices
On January 11, Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Andrea Joy Campbell announced a $1.8 million settlement with Nelnet, Inc. (Nelnet), one of the largest federal student loan servicers in the U.S., for allegedly sending written notices to borrowers about renewing income-driven repayment (IDR) plans that failed to meet certain regulatory requirements and, in some cases, failing to send the required notices altogether.
Massachusetts AG Settles $3.5M COVID-19 Delivery Fee Case With Grubhub
On January 12, Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Andrea Joy Campbell announced a settlement with Grubhub Holdings Inc. and Grubhub, Inc., (Grubhub) for allegedly repeatedly violating a statutory limit on the fees that third-party delivery companies could charge during the COVID-19 state of emergency.
AGs Urge the Federal Government to Regulate AI in Telemarketing
North Carolina Attorney General (AG) Josh Stein led a bipartisan effort urging the federal government to impose stricter regulations on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in telemarketing. The collective push involved 26 state AGs who jointly submitted a letter in response to the Federal Communication Commission (FCC’s) Notice of Inquiry (NOI) for “Implications of Artificial Intelligence Technologies on Protecting Consumers from Unwanted Robocalls and Robotexts. The FCC’s NOI furthers efforts by the Federal Government to better understand the impact of emerging AI technologies as it aims to protect consumers from unwanted and illegal telephone calls and text messages, as stipulated under Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).”
Amid Ongoing Regulatory Scrutiny, Washington AG Files First Lawsuit to Block Merger of State’s Largest Supermarkets
On January 15, Washington Attorney General (AG) Bob Ferguson filed a complaint in King County Superior Court, seeking to block the merger of The Kroger Co. (Kroger) with its supermarket competitor, Albertsons Companies, Inc. (Albertsons).