Delaware will receive $4.9 million in a $700 million nationwide settlement that aims to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products that contain talc. “All of the funds we receive will be placed in the State’s Consumer Protection Fund,” the Delaware Department of Justice said. Under the consent judgment with attorneys …
Marijuana laws come with price tag for 2 state departments
This story has been updated to correct tax and licensing information. Marijuana – and the implications of its legalization in Delaware on certain state agencies – was part of the discussion in Wednesday’s Joint Finance Committee hearings. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security is set to receive a little over $5 million of the total request is specifically in …
Human trafficking of minor in Delaware results in abuse, forced labor
Department of Justice, Elsmere PD secure Delaware’s first-ever Forced Labor conviction An Elsmere man will serve a lengthy prison sentence after pleading guilty to multiple felonies, including Delaware’s first conviction under a Forced Labor statute originally passed in 2014. On October 13, Martin Ortiz-Lozano, 34, was sentenced to fifteen years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Child …
Rosegate drug group could face 20 years in prison
Seventeen Delawareans have been charged in federal and state courts for drug conspiracy after a multi-year and multi-agency investigation. The defendants openly and brazenly trafficked large quantities of drugs and stored drugs in elderly community members’ homes and vehicles and paid them to store, package and sell drugs, said David Weiss, U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware in a …
Data privacy bill passes House committee
A data privacy bill that will give consumers more rights went unanimously through the House Technology & Telecommunications Committee Tuesday, two in favor and four on its merits. House Bill 154, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Greenville, would give consumers the right to delete their personal data, change their personal data, know who is collecting their personal data and opt …
Walmart agrees to $3.1B opioid settlement, $11.8M goes to DE
Walmart announced Tuesday that the company has agreed to a $3.1 billion settlement to resolve a nationwide lawsuit brought by states, tribes and municipalities over its role in the opioid crisis. Delaware stands to receive up to $11.8 million under the terms of the settlement framework. The lawsuit alleged that Walmart exacerbated the opioid addiction crisis by failing to appropriately …
Google to pay Delaware $4.3M in location tracking settlement
Google agreed to a $391.5 million settlement with 40 states Monday over charges that the company tracked users’ location data even when asked not to. Delaware will receive more than $4.3 million from the settlement. The money will go toward the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Fund, allowing it to do future work without drawing on taxpayer dollars. Attorney …
No jail time for ‘deeply remorseful’ McGuiness
Delaware state Auditor Kathy McGuiness will not see the inside of a jail cell after being sentenced on two misdemeanor public corruption charges Wednesday. Prosecutors asked the judge to impose a 30-day prison sentence. Instead, she’ll face one year of probation, a $10,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service. McGuiness plans to appeal her convictions to the Delaware Supreme …
Kent County couple indicted for serial child abuse, torture
A Kent County couple has been indicted on 646 charges, including more than 80 felonies, for allegedly abusing their two children. The Department of Justice announced the charges Wednesday afternoon. Over a period of 20 months, Mary Vinson, 45, and Charles Vinson, 36, are alleged to have abused their children, including making them stand for long periods of time; withholding …
Delaware joins nationwide task force to cut down on scam calls
Even in a time of stark political division, there is thing almost everybody can agree on: scam calls suck. In that vein, Delaware has joined a nationwide task force to cut down on illegal robocalls. Comprised of 50 attorneys general from across the United States, the Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force will investigate and take legal action against the telecommunications companies …