State Attorneys General Take Action: Environmental Justice, Nursing Homes, and Debt Collection

Strategic Insights -

State Attorneys General (AGs) across the country took significant actions in the week of June 19-25, 2023, addressing environmental justice initiatives, nursing home staffing, and debt collection. A coalition of 13 state AGs issued guidance affirming environmental justice work, while another coalition of 22 AGs supported National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in their efforts to challenge Trump Administration funding cuts.

Key Takeaways:

  • A coalition of 13 state AGs issued guidance affirming environmental justice initiatives, emphasizing their importance in ensuring a healthy environment for all people.
  • The same coalition of 13 AGs stated that environmental justice efforts are an important way to respond to disproportionate environmental and health burdens borne by historically marginalized people and communities.
  • California Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit against Sweetwater Care, a San Diego-based operator of skilled nursing facilities, alleging failure to meet statutory minimum staffing levels and to protect California residents under its care.
  • Colorado Attorney General Weiser announced a lawsuit seeking to bar debt relief for Acme Revival after an investigation by the Colorado Department of Law, alleging that Acme defrauded customers by promising repair services while racking up illegal fees.
  • Idaho Attorney General Labrador dismissed a lawsuit to block the University of Idaho's planned acquisition of the University of Phoenix after the state Board of Education issued a decision terminating the transaction.
  • New York Attorney General James successfully shut down more than 700 accounts promoting a cryptocurrency scam and secured a court order freezing $300,000 in cryptocurrency linked to the scammers.
  • New York Attorney General James announced an Assurance of Discontinuance with Secured 24, LLC, requiring the company to pay $400,000 in restitution for withholding prevailing wage benefits from school security guards.
  • Pennsylvania Attorney General Sunday announced a settlement withKansas-based debt collector TrueAccord Corp., requiring the company to pay over $23,000 in restitution, modify business practices, and cease its use of tribal lending enterprises.

Statistics:

  • 13 state AGs issued guidance affirming environmental justice initiatives.
  • 22 state AGs filed an amicus brief in support of NPR and PBS.
  • $300,000 in cryptocurrency was frozen in connection with a cryptocurrency scam.
  • $400,000 in restitution will be paid to school security guards in New York by Secured 24, LLC.
  • $23,000 in restitution will be paid to consumers in Pennsylvania by TrueAccord Corp.

Sources:

  • Crowell & Moring's State Attorneys General page.
  • Multistate.
  • California Attorney General Bonta.
  • Colorado Attorney General Weiser.
  • Idaho Attorney General Labrador.
  • New York Attorney General James.
  • New York State Department of Financial Services.
  • Pennsylvania Attorney General Sunday.
  • TrueAccord Corp.
  • Mondaq Ltd, 2023.