Each week, Crowell & Moring’s State Attorneys General team highlights significant actions that State AGs have taken. Here are this week’s updates.
Multistate
- A coalition of 11 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Louisiana against the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Water Quality Certification Rule, asking the court to vacate the rule as arbitrary and capricious. The attorneys general believe the rule provides states with too much authority to issue water quality certifications, impeding the development of necessary infrastructure.
Arizona
- Arizona Attorney General Mayes announced that she is investigating lead-covered cables in Arizona, as they can present a risk to the environment and public health. Attorney General Mayes has sent letters to 200 telecom companies requesting information on any lead-covered cables they potentially own. In the press release, she is quoted as expecting “full cooperation” from these companies during the investigation.
- Arizona Attorney General Mayes announced a settlement with air conditioning and heating services company Old Town AC, LLC, resolving allegations that it placed illegal telemarketing calls to individuals on the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry. The settlement includes a $285,000 payment and prohibits the company from making telephone solicitations other than to existing customers.
Florida
- Florida Attorney General Moody announced lawsuits against two solar companies, Vision Solar and SetUp My Solar, for allegedly engaging in deceptive practices. Specifically, the lawsuits allege that the companies misled consumers about installation processes, misrepresented pricing, and damaged property. The lawsuits seek permanent injunctions and consumer relief.
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Attorney General Campbell proposed regulations against hidden “junk fees.” The regulations would require businesses to disclose clearly the full price of a product when advertised to consumers, provide conspicuous information on whether fees are required or optional, and simplify the cancellation process for recurring subscriptions and trial offers.
- Massachusetts Attorney General Campbell announced a settlement against real estate company EasyKnock, resolving allegations that the company engaged in an illegal sale-leaseback scheme by purchasing the homes of consumers in need of cash and renting them back to those consumers for unfair rents, as well as that it charged illegal fees and failed to make required repairs. The settlement includes injunctive relief, consumer redress, and a $200,000 payment.
Montana
- Montana Attorney General Knudsen announced a lawsuit against Meta in which his office is alleging that Meta violates state consumer protection laws by misrepresenting content on Instagram, that Instagram was designed to be addictive to minors, and that Meta’s data collection activities violate federal law. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and civil penalties.
North Carolina
- North Carolina Attorney General Stein announced a $1.45 million settlement against clinic Med First Immediate Care and Family Practice, P.A. The settlement resolves allegations that the company operated a “pill mill” and filed false claims with Medicare and Medicaid for office visits that never occurred and urine drug tests that were unnecessary.
Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Attorney General Henry announced settlements with nonprofit organizations Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre, Inc. and Center for Hearing and Deaf Services, Inc., recommitting them to only assigning qualified interpreters for deaf and hearing-impaired patients. Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre will also make a $5,000 donation to the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf under the settlement.
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Attorney General Neronha announced that his office has amended and expanded its previously-filed complaint against Smart Green Solar, LLC and its CEO. The expanded complaint includes new allegations of unfair and deceptive trade practices in violation of the Rhode Island Deceptive Trade Practice Act, such as opaque pricing practices and advertising sign-up and referral bonuses without disclosing that customers were being charged. The amended complaint also adds additional company executives as defendants.
Vermont
- Vermont Attorney General Clark announced a lawsuit against plumbing business Plumb Perfect, LLC and its owner, alleging that they operated an unlicensed business that they advertised as providing “expert” services. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, restitution, penalties, and costs.