Announcements, information & updates from
the Attorney General Alliance Members and Associates
October 6, 2023
Thank you to all the attendees and speakers at our Working Group meetings - you all made it a tremendous success!
ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr hosted partners from Georgia’s law enforcement and business communities to strengthen the fight against organized retail crime across the state. This meeting served as an opportunity to hear from public and private partners about their experience with organized retail crime, including smash-and-grab robberies, after-hours break-ins, or thefts that break the supply chain.
 COMBATING HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND CHILD EXPLOITATION 
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced that special agents from his Special Investigations Division arrested an individual for 30 counts of distributing, possessing or viewing of matter depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry issued several press releases announcing actions related to protecting minors from sexual offenses and physical abuse.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced the launch of the 2023 Human Trafficking Summit. Attendees will have access to 11 hours of educational content from leaders in the fight to end human trafficking. 
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson led a 26-state letter to Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub, related to concerns over child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador announced investigators with his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit arrested an Arco man for alleged sexual exploitation of a child.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the success of a “weeklong statewide human trafficking crackdown, ‘Operation Buyer’s Remorse,’ which sought to arrest those trying to buy sex and to identify survivors of human trafficking.”
CYBERSECURITY AND DATA PRIVACY 
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita issued a warning to Hoosiers to use caution during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
ORGANIZED RETAIL CRIME
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes announced Investigators from the Utah Attorney General’s Office C.A.S.E. (Crimes Against Statewide Economy) Strike Force “charged a Draper couple for selling counterfeit DVDs on eBay and earning nearly $1.5 million over several years.”
ILLICIT DRUGS AND OPIOIDS
California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the results of a multiagency effort, “Operation Safe Harbor” targeting a violent criminal street organization in Los Angeles. Members of the organized criminal group were allegedly operating a statewide narcotics and firearm trafficking network throughout California and were responsible for a number of violent acts. The effort resulted in the arrest of 27 suspects, the seizure of 30 weapons including ghost guns, as well as illegal narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin and PCP.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced $13.9 million in new funding to help organizations on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic.
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown announced the seizure of 37 firearms and more than 8 kilograms of fentanyl destined for the streets of Maryland. Four Individuals Charged with Participation in a Criminal Organization for Roles in Conspiracy to Distribute Large Amounts of Fentanyl and Cocaine. The indictments of four individuals for their roles in a criminal enterprise responsible for trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and cocaine. 
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost issued a warning to residents about Carfentanil, a lethal synthetic opioid, which has reemerged in several Ohio drug cases.
FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, and Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry co-led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in making comments regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) new proposed rule aimed at combatting deceptive practices concerning the use of consumer reviews.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson co-led a 19-state letter to the White House and U.S. Department of Education regarding federal student loan payments.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 13 attorneys general in sending comments regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposal to strengthen dust-lead hazard standards and post-abatement clearance levels, as authorized by the Toxic Substances Control Act.
NEPA
A coalition of 18 state attorneys general submitted comments related to the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) notice of proposed rulemaking (Proposed Phase 2 Rule) revising the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4347.
Iowa Attorney General Bird led a coalition of 24 states in submitting comments regarding the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) notice of proposed rulemaking (Proposed Phase 2 Rule) revising the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4347.
FIRST AMENDMENT
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson led a 16-state coalition in filing an amicus brief in L.M v. Town of Middlebourough.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson co-led a 17-state coalition in filing an amicus brief in Parents Defending Education v. Olentagy Local School District Board of Education.
SECOND AMENDMENT
California Attorney General Rob Bonta led a 17 state coalition in filing a petition in Teter v. Lopez.
IMMIGRATION
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach led a 14-state amicus brief in United States of America v. Texas.
AGO HIGHLIGHTS
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced her appointment of Aaron McKay as Chief of Staff.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell announced Sapna Khatri will lead the office’s Reproductive Justice Unit.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced several promotions among his senior staff, appointing Suzanna Hupp as Director of Government Relations, James Lloyd as Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation, and Ryan Walters as Chief of the Special Litigation Division.
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