Michigan State Executive - Attorney General
State Government: Executive Offices | Attorney General / Department of Justice
Recent News About Michigan State Executive - Attorney General
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Supreme Court upholds access to abortion pill mifepristone
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion rejecting an attempt to limit women's right to reproductive freedom. In Food and Drug Administration, et al. v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, et al., the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision that the plaintiffs — a group of anti-choice medical associations and individual doctors — do not have standing to challenge the United States Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of mifepristone.
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Michigan attorney general announces trial for signature collection fraud defendants
Defendants Shawn Wilmoth, Jamie Wilmoth-Goodin, and Willie Reed are set to face trial following a decision by Judge John Chmura of the 37th District Court. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that the trio has been charged with allegedly running a criminal enterprise aimed at defrauding several gubernatorial and judicial campaigns during the 2022 election cycle.
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Michigan Supreme Court affirms application of voter intimidation law in robocall case
The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the state statute prohibiting voter intimidation extends to intentional false speech about voting requirements or procedures if such speech is made to deter or influence a vote. This decision, announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, came in response to appeals in the cases of People v. Burkman and People v. Wohl.
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Permanent injunction shuts down unlicensed Oakland County adult foster care facility
LANSING – Oakland County Circuit Court Judge David M. Cohen has granted a permanent injunction against Erica Edwards and her unlicensed adult foster care facility, ETE Homes Inc., doing business as Talison Assisted Living, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced. A preliminary injunction was initially granted in December 2023 at the Attorney General’s request following an investigation by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), after it was determined that Edwards would not voluntarily cease operating the unlicensed facility.
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AG Nessel secures $300K fine over illegal wetland destruction
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today the resolution of litigation initiated in March of last year against Macomb County real estate development company Chesterfield 5, LLC and its consultant Christopher Cousino, of Bloomfield Hills. On behalf of the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), Nessel sued both parties for the illegal destruction of a multi-acre regulated wetland in Macomb County. A consent judgment entered on June 3rd, 2024, by Judge James S. Jamo of the 30th Circuit Court in Ingham County, holds Chesterfield 5 and Cousino...
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Attorneys general secure $700 million settlement with J&J over talc product allegations
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with 42 other attorneys general, has reached a $700 million nationwide settlement to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products containing talc.
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Caregiver convicted in freezing death of elderly woman
LANSING – Colleen Kelly O’Connor, 58, of East Lansing, was convicted by a Clinton County jury today of Vulnerable Adult Abuse—Second Degree related to the death by exposure of an 82-year-old woman on December 23, 2022, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. The charge is a four-year felony.
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Attorney general contests consumers energy's proposed $303M annual electric rate increase
LANSING – Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a notice of intervention this week in Consumers Energy Company’s latest electric rate case (U-21585) before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), filed on May 31, 2024. Consumers Energy seeks a rate hike of approximately $303 million annually which, if approved, would take effect in March 2025. Only three months ago, the MPSC approved a $92 million electric rate hike for Consumers, which took effect this March.
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Michigan AG files complaint against campground owner for unlicensed operation
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has lodged a complaint against Daniel Courtemanche, the 68-year-old owner and operator of the Ugly RV Park in Pinconning. The complaint, filed in the 30th Judicial Circuit Court in Ingham County, alleges that Courtemanche violated state laws by operating a campground without a preconstruction permit and license. He is also accused of installing and using non-compliant wastewater lagoons and creating a public nuisance.
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Court denies Avid Telecom's bid to dismiss robocall lawsuit
On May 10, 2024, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that the United States District Court in Arizona rejected Avid Telecom’s multiple attempts to dismiss and delay a bipartisan lawsuit. The suit, brought forward by 49 attorneys general who are members of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, was against Michael D. Lansky, L.L.C., doing business as Avid Telecom, its owner Michael D. Lansky and its vice-president, Stacey S. Reeves.
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Man sentenced for role in deadly fungal meningitis outbreak
Barry Cadden, the former owner of New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 10-15 years' incarceration for his role in the deadly 2012 nationwide fungal meningitis outbreak. The sentencing was announced by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in the 44th Circuit Court in Livingston County. Cadden had previously pled no contest to 11 counts of involuntary manslaughter in March.
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Court orders Zimba Dairy to stop discharging waste into state waters
The 54th Circuit Court in Tuscola County has issued a preliminary injunction against Zimba Dairy, Inc. (Zimba), directing the concentrated animal feeding operation to cease discharging wastewater from its three locations into state waters, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
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Michigan AG seeks legal proposals against fossil fuel industry's climate impact
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today that the Department will begin seeking proposals from attorneys and law firms to serve as Special Assistant Attorneys General. The selected candidates will pursue litigation related to the climate change impacts caused by the fossil fuel industry on behalf of the State of Michigan.
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10.25 million settlement reached with five wireless carriers over deceptive advertising
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has announced a $10.25 million settlement with AT&T Mobility, LLC, Cricket Wireless, LLC, T-Mobile USA, Inc., Cellco Partnership (doing business as Verizon Wireless), and TracFone Wireless, Inc. The settlement concludes investigations by state attorneys general into deceptive and misleading advertising practices by these wireless carriers.
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AG Nessel opposes DTE's proposed 10% gas rate hike and private jet costs
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed testimony on Tuesday before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), criticizing several requests from DTE Gas in its latest rate case. Nessel argued that the majority of the company's proposed $266 million rate hike, which would represent a nearly ten percent increase for residential customers, is excessive and unnecessary.
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Attorney General warns Michigan residents of post-storm scams
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a reminder to residents about the prevalence of scams that often follow severe weather events. This comes as several municipalities in west Michigan deal with the aftermath of recent storms.
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AG Nessel Charges Attorney Stefanie Lambert and Former Adams Township Clerk Scott for 2020 Election Voter Data Breach
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed charges against former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott and her attorney Stefanie Lambert for a 2020 election voter data breach. The charges allege that unauthorized access was granted to voter data, including non-public information, related to the 2020 General Election. Scott is accused of disregarding instructions to present the voting tabulator for maintenance and testing, while Lambert is alleged to have transmitted data from the Electronic Poll Book under Scott's direction.
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AG Nessel Receives Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter Excellence in Leadership Award
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel was honored with the Excellence in Leadership Award by the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter for her efforts in combating elder abuse through Michigan’s Elder Abuse Task Force. The Task Force, established in 2019, comprises over 55 organizations and 100 individuals from various sectors. Nessel expressed her gratitude for the award and highlighted the importance of preserving the rights and freedoms of seniors in the state. Jennifer Lepard, President & CEO of the Michigan Chapter, praised Nessel for her dedication to safeguarding...
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AG Nessel's Efforts Against Opioid Crisis Yield Over $1.6 Billion in Settlements
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel highlighted the importance of National Fentanyl Awareness Day, aiming to combat the opioid epidemic, stressing the devastating impact of fentanyl on families and communities. Nessel emphasized the commitment of her department to fighting the opioid crisis and holding accountable those who exploit individuals with opioid-use disorder.
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Disbarred Coldwater Attorney Sentenced for Stealing from Elderly Client of Law Firm
LANSING – Today, James O’Briant, 64, was sentenced to 120 days in the county jail and 36 months of probation in the 9th Circuit Court in Kalamazoo County before Judge Paul J. Bridenstine after stealing over $140,000 from a 95-year-old client, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. He was also ordered to pay total restitution of $168,067.73."Mr. O’Briant preyed on a client who entrusted his employer with her finances,” Nessel said. “This sentence is a testament that those who take advantage of their clients and have such blatant disregard for the law will be held...