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Monday, dec 16
Tag:
Letitia James
Business
NYers To Receive Cut Of $4.8M Settlement With SmileDirectClub Over Improper Billing
Thousands of New Yorkers will benefit from a $4.8 million settlement with the now-defunct SmileDirectClub over improper billing practices. The former Nashville, Tennessee-based teledentistry company agreed to the move after it continued to charge more than 28,000 consumers despite filing for bankruptcy and stopping services in September 2023. Multiple complaints were filed with the New York State Office of the Attorney General (OAG) after consumers were told to keep making monthly installment payments despite no longer receiving aligner treatment. In December 2023, OAG sent a cease-and-de…
News
NY Pet Stores Face Deadline To Halt Sales Of Dogs, Cats, Rabbits
Retail pet stores in New York will soon be prohibited from selling dogs, cats, or rabbits under a new state law aimed at ending the abusive practices of puppy mills. Starting Sunday, Dec. 15, pet stores across the state must cease all sales, leases, or transfers of dogs, cats, and rabbits, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced on Friday, Nov. 22. James emphasized that the law, known as the Puppy Mill Pipeline Act, is designed to disrupt large-scale breeding operations, often referred to as puppy mills, which have long been criticized for inhumane treatment and poor health …
News
Former Long Island Co-Op Prez Dodges Prison After Embezzling $26K
The former president of a Long Island co-op formally confessed to embezzling tens of thousands of dollars. Juan Alayo, age 72, of East Meadow, pleaded guilty to grand larceny and related charges on Friday, Nov. 15. New York Attorney General Letitia James said Alayo embezzled more than $26,700 between 2016 and 2023, during his tenure as president of the Marlboro Owners Corporation cooperative in Hempstead. An investigation found that he routinely wrote checks to himself and his company, A&J, that were neither discussed nor approved by the co-op board. He concealed his thefts by falsifyi…
Business
Contractor Who 'Destroyed' Protected Wetlands In West Babylon Fined $121K
A Long Island contractor will fork over six figures in fines for building a parking lot on protected wetlands. Anthony Labriola and his companies, ALAC Realty and ALAC Contracting, were penalized $121,000 by New York State for illegally building on a protected area along the Carlls River in West Babylon. New York Attorney General Letitita James revealed Friday, Nov. 8, that Labriola and his companies removed trees and plants in a protected "buffer area” to build a construction vehicle parking lot and storage facility. The Carlls River freshwater wetlands are classified under the Department…
Politics
James Joins AGs Nationwide Wide Calling For Peaceful Election
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general are calling for a peaceful election and transfer of power and condemning any potential political violence: “Regardless of the 2024 election outcome, we condemn any and all acts of violence related to its results," the coalition said. The coalition added: "A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition that stands at the heart of our nation’s stability. As Attorneys General, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the democratic principles w…
Politics
Problem Voting? NY State Attorney General Has A Hotline For Help
As thousands flock to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, New York Attorney General Letitia James reminds voters that a hotline is available on election day for help. Hotline staffers can help voters troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues they may encounter when they cast their ballot. To help, James issued guidance for voters ahead of the election, and a guide addressing frequently asked questions is also available. “All New Yorkers have the right to feel safe when casting their votes,” said James. “Our Election Protection Hotline will help ensure that every voice is heard – whether you’re v…
Politics
TikTok 'Cultivates Addiction' For Kids, Harming Their Mental Health, NY AG’s Lawsuit Alleges
TikTok knowingly harms young users’ mental health all in an effort to turn a profit, a new multistate lawsuit alleges. New York Attorney General Letitia James was among a bipartisan coalition of 14 attorneys general who filed a lawsuit against the social media platform on Tuesday, Oct. 8, alleging fraudulent and deceptive business practices, among other offenses. According to the complaint, TikTok falsely claims its platform is safe for young people despite “addictive features” that worsen their mental health and body image issues. Those features include around-the-clock notifications lea…
Schools
New Poll Reveals NYers' Views On Banning Cell Phone Use In Schools
With the new school year comes renewed debate over the use of cell phones in the classroom. Among New York parents of school-age children, 77-percent support barring cell phone use in schools during the day, a Mount Sinai South Nassau “Truth in Medicine” poll found. Most parents, 72-percent, said they still want their child to have their phone on them in case of an emergency, the poll found. Earlier Report: Hochul Signs Bill Restricting 'Addictive' Social Media Feeds Targeting Children The poll was conducted by 600 parents with at least one child under the age of 18 in New York Cit…
Politics
Social Media Sites Should Be Forced To Display Warning Labels, NY AG Argues
You’ve seen them on cigarettes and alcohol – now social media accounts could come with their own warnings if New York Attorney General Letitia James gets her way. James was among a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general who sent a letter to Congress on Tuesday, Sept. 10, urging lawmakers to approve US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy's request for warnings on sites like TikTok and Instagram about potential adverse mental health effects for minors. Murthy made the request in June, citing new research showing that adolescents who spend more than three hours per day on social media face an incr…
Politics
NYers Urged To Beware, Report AI Election Misinformation
State leaders are urging New Yorkers to beware purposely misleading election information generated by artificial intelligence. On Thursday, Sept. 5, New York Attorney General Letitia James released an online guide to help voters identify and report AI-generated “deepfakes” that can create videos depicting politicians saying or doing something they never did. Misinformation can also deceive voters on things like eligibility to vote, and where, when, or how to vote. “New Yorkers deserve to be well-informed, not misinformed, about their choices for the upcoming November elections,” James said…
Business
AG On Lookout For Price Gougers Cashing In On Recent Long Island Flooding
State leaders are on the lookout for businesses hoping to cash in on the recent flooding that hit Long Island. New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert warning businesses against price gouging on essential items in Suffolk County. It comes after a federal emergency was declared in response to widespread flooding that damaged several homes and washed out roads. “As families in Suffolk County recover from the devastating aftermath of last week’s storm, I am warning businesses not to use this as an opportunity to unfairly raise prices,” James said. Earlier Report:&nbs…
News
New Video Shows Moments Leading Up To Fatal Shooting Of Man By
Nysp
Newly released body camera footage shows the tense moments that led to a New York’s man’s death at the hands of police. The Sullivan County incident happened in the town of Thompson, on Rock Hill Drive, at around 2:20 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16. New York State Police said troopers were pursuing 32-year-old Orange County resident Albert Melendez, of Middletown, when Melendez stopped and attempted to turn around at the intersection of Rock Hill Drive and Emerald Place. Earlier Report: Man From Region Killed By State Trooper After Striking Officer With Car, Police Say A trooper exited…
News
Cameo Agrees To Pay NY $25K For 'Misleading' Promotional Videos
Cameo will pay dozens of states, including New York, for failing to ensure customers knew that promotional videos on its site were actually paid endorsements. Baron App Inc., owner of the popular celebrity-shoutout-ordering website, agreed to pay $100,000 in penalties to 30 states as part of a settlement agreement reached Wednesday, July 24. New York will receive $25,000 of that, state Attorney General Letitia James said. Cameo found itself in hot water after launching its “Business Cameo” service in 2020, allowing companies to hire celebrities to record videos endorsing their services. A…
News
Transgender Athlete Ban Signed Into Law On LI; AG,
Nyclu
Announce Plans To Sue
Attorney General Letitia James and the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) have announced plans to sue Nassau County after a bill preventing transgender women from participating in women’s sports was made official. The Nassau County bill was signed into law on Monday, July 15. Introduced by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman — whose February executive order with the same goals prompted backlash and was quickly struck down — the bill requires sports teams to designate whether they are a female, male, or co-ed team and prevents “biological males” from competing on women’s teams at th…
News
Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Passed By Nassau County Lawmakers
The Nassau County Legislature passed a bill that prevents transgender women from competing in women’s sports on Long Island. At a meeting on Monday, June 24, lawmakers voted 12-6 to pass the law. Originally introduced by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s office, the bill would require sports teams to designate whether they are a female, male, or co-ed team and is aimed to prevent “biological males” from competing on women’s teams. Earlier Report: Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Advanced By Nassau County Lawmakers It echoes an executive order Blakeman originally introduce…
News
Beware Of 'Pig Butchering' Online Romance Schemes In NY: Attorney General
New York Attorney General Letitia James urged New Yorkers to be on high alert for increasingly common online romance scams that lead to the victims making fraudulent investments. Also referred to as “pig butchering” schemes, the perpetrators of such crimes will work to gain trust with their victims, “fattening” them up so they willingly provide the scammer money, James said in a Thursday, June 6 press release. Victims are usually targeted via dating websites and apps, social media, and unsolicited text messages. Earlier report - NY Resident Loses $341K In 'Pig Butchering' Scheme: …
Politics
‘Sad Day’: SCOTUS Bump Stock Ruling Sparks Bipartisan Condemnation From NY Politicians
New York politicians wasted no time reacting to the Supreme Court’s decision striking down a federal ban on bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire more quickly. In their 6-3 ruling Friday, June 14, with conservatives in the majority, the high court sided with a Texas gun store owner who surrendered his bump stocks after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reclassified the devices as machine guns in 2018. He later sued to get them back. The ATF’s regulation, issued under the Trump administration with his full support, came about after the 2017 Las Veg…
News
Bill Banning Transgender Athletes Advanced By Long Island Lawmakers
A month after the Nassau County Executive’s executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports was struck down in court, a new proposed bill with the same goal has been advanced to the next step. After an at-times heated discussion between lawmakers and public commenters at a Nassau County legislative committee meeting on Monday, June 10, a bill aiming to bar transgender women from women’s sports passed an initial committee vote. Earlier Report: Nassau County Bans Transgender Athletes From Competing In Women's, Girls Sports The bill, which was introd…
Business
Nissan Dealers Fined $350K For 'Junk Fees' Levied On Long Island Lease Customers
If you purchased a Nissan vehicle on Long Island, you may have some cash coming your way. Two Nissan dealerships in Amityville and Patchogue have agreed to pay over $350,000 for charging customers “junk fees” when they purchased their leased vehicles. An investigation by the New York State Attorney General’s Office found that South Shore Nissan, in Amityville on Sunrise Highway, and Route 112 Nissan, in Patchogue on Medford Avenue, for years added unnecessary fees or falsified the price of leased vehicles that consumers bought when their lease ended. Route 112 Nissan was also found to have…
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