Communications from the Attorney General's Office
Media Contact:
Brian Evans, Press Secretary
651-757-1087 (office) or 651-396-3754 (mobile)
communications@ag.state.mn.us
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April 29, 2025
Attorney General Ellison joins lawsuit challenging Trump Administration’s dismantling of national volunteer public service agency, AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps volunteers address critical local needs, create public good, foster belonging
April 25, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration over unlawful conditions on funding for K-12 schools
$530 million in federal education investments at risk in Minnesota
April 23, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration to stop illegal tariffs
Joins lawsuit filed by 12 attorneys general to block illegal tariffs that are increasing prices and inflicting chaos on the American economy
April 22, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues to ‘stop Trump from bullying vulnerable children’ in Minnesota
Files lawsuit as Trump Administration repeatedly threatens to cut federal funding to Minnesota schools if state does not cave to Trump’s attempts to deny civil rights of transgender people
April 17, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues to block harmful private-equity acquisition of Minnesota medical-device coating company
AG Ellison and Illinois AG join FTC lawsuit challenging proposed private-equity acquisition of Minnesota-based Surmodics that would combine two largest manufacturers of medical-device coatings
April 17, 2025
Court finds Google maintains illegal monopolies in digital advertising
Ruling that Google stifles competition and harms publishers, advertisers, and consumers is major victory in bipartisan lawsuit AG Ellison joined in 2023
April 16, 2025
Tax debt settlement company ordered to pay more than $4 million to consumers, State
Wall & Associates must refund $2.7 million to consumers it deceived, pay $1.4 million to State in civil penalties
April 16, 2025
Attorney General Ellison defends Social Security from erratic, unlawful management
Joins 21 AGs in amicus brief in support of injunction to block layoffs and mismanagement at Social Security Administration
April 15, 2025
Attorney General Ellison asks congress to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers from owning or operating pharmacies
April 12, 2025
Attorney General Ellison again asks court to preserve National Labor Relations Board
Co-leads coalition of 23 AGs in filing new brief in support of NLRB member Trump unlawfully attempted to remove
April 11, 2025
Attorney General Ellison challenges unconstitutional executive orders that undermine the rule of law
Joins coalition of 21 AGs in amicus briefs in support of law firms Trump Administration targeted for retribution
April 10, 2025
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office named top employer for veterans for 2nd year in a row
VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer Award highlights AG Ellison’s commitment to hiring, retaining, and supporting veterans
April 10, 2025
Attorney General Ellison seeks to protect consumers from high overdraft fees
AG Ellison and 22 attorneys general urge House to reject resolution overturning CFPB’s rule limiting overdraft fee charges by big banks
April 10, 2025
Attorney General Ellison wins court order banning sales of vapes disguised as highlighters
Florida company High Light Vapes to stop doing business in Minnesota or pay $50K penalty in settlement of AG’s January 2025 lawsuit
April 10, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration for blocking state education funds
Joins multistate coalition in fight to restore access to funding that helps schools, teachers, and vulnerable students with long-term effects of COVID-19
April 9, 2025
In SCOTUS brief, Attorney General Ellison defends use of LGBTQ-inclusive books in public schools
Joins 19 AGs in filing amicus brief defending local discretion to incorporate LGBTQ-inclusive books into curriculum without opt-outs
April 8, 2025
Attorney General Ellison urges Supreme Court to reject creation of taxpayer-funded religious charter school
Joins coalition of 18 AGs in asking Court to uphold ruling of Oklahoma Supreme Court that found approval of the school unconstitutional; argue charter schools must remain secular under First Amendment
April 7, 2025
Court of Appeals unanimously affirms temporary injunction against used-car dealer Midwest Car Search
Attorney General filed consumer-protection lawsuit against Midwest Car Search in April 2024; Court of Appeals unanimously affirms temporary injunction that requires Midwest Car Search to comply with state law until lawsuit is resolved
April 7, 2025
Asphalt contractor to pay nearly $1.3 million over falsified quality test results
In addition to payments to the state and federal government, Anderson Brothers enters compliance agreement with MNDOT
April 4, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration over illegal NIH funding cuts, delays for medical and public health research
NIH has awarded tens of millions of dollars to Minnesota in 2025: grant terminations will disrupt valuable research
April 4, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration to protect libraries and museums
AG Ellison joins coalition suing to stop dismantling of federal agencies that support libraries, museums, minority-owned businesses, and workers
April 3, 2025
Attorney General Ellison secures order restoring $11 billion in critical public health funding
April 3, 2025
Attorney General Ellison files lawsuit against Trump Administration over unlawful executive order seeking to impose sweeping voting restrictions
Multi-state lawsuit asserts that voting restrictions are not authorized by U.S. Constitution or Congress
April 2, 2025
New chapter in negotiations on future of academic and clinical medicine, community health in Minnesota to begin as strategic facilitator selected
AG Ellison invites public input on negotiations between University of Minnesota, Fairview, and Essentia Health; asks parties to ‘maximize this opportunity by exercising discretion and the honoring confidentiality of negotiations’
April 1, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues HHS, Kennedy to reverse illegal terminations of public health grants
Co-leads coalition of 23 states and D.C. in lawsuit against illegal termination of $11B in critical public health grants, including $250M to Minnesota
March 31, 2025
Attorney General Ellison forms Task Force on Future of Minnesota’s Water
Solicits applications through Open Appointments process; sets April 30 application deadline and June start to work of Task Force
March 31, 2025
Attorney General Ellison leads opposition bill to that would create substantial barriers to voting
Leads coalition of 18 attorneys general in letter to congressional leadership: so-called SAVE Act would effectively disenfranchise millions of eligible voters across the country
March 26, 2025
‘We stand for the rule of law’; Attorney General Ellison urges lawyers to ‘stand together’ in the face of Trump attacks, political retribution
Joins 21 attorneys general in issuing open letter to legal community: Trump’s executive orders targeting law firms and the legal community are ‘unconstitutional on their face’
March 25, 2025
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office wins Top Workplace USA award for 4th year in a row
Breaks into national top 100 of similar-sized workplaces for first time; highest-ranked of all similar-sized Minnesota workplaces; only state AG office in country so honored
March 25, 2025
Attorney General Ellison wins relief for Minnesotans deceived by MV Realty
So-called “Homeowner Benefit Agreements” with hidden oppressive terms declared null and void
March 25, 2025
Attorney General Ellison takes action to stop Trump from withholding critical disaster relief funding
AG Ellison joins coalition of 22 attorneys general seeking court order to stop freezing of FEMA funds
March 24, 2025
Attorney General Ellison continues the fight to stop Trump from shutting down the Department of Education
AG Ellison joins coalition seeking preliminary injunction to block mass layoffs and the elimination of core services at the Department of Education
March 19, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues to preserve clean-energy dollars for Minnesota
Co-leads coalition of four AGs in lawsuit against Trump administration for illegally blocking congressionally approved funds from flowing to state projects to reduce greenhouse gases; also sues Citibank to ensure funds are released as required by law
March 19, 2025
Attorney General Ellison announces new chapter in negotiations between University of Minnesota, Fairview, and Essentia
Parties to take a look at all potential solutions for future of academic medicine in Minnesota with help of strategic facilitator
March 17, 2025
AG Ellison, Rep. Norris, Sen. Johnson Stewart introduce bipartisan bill cracking down on Medicaid fraud
Bill would increase size of Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to keep up with increases in state Medicaid budget, add subpoena powers, and increase penalties for large theft
March 14, 2025
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with Mayo Clinic over charity care and debt-collection practices
Settlement requires Mayo Clinic to provide charity care to certain presumptively eligible patients and use a streamlined charity care application, and prohibits Mayo Clinic from suing patients to collect debt other than in exceptional circumstances
March 14, 2025
Attorney General Ellison wins temporary block on mass firings of federal probationary employees and gets fired employees their jobs back
Federal judge orders 18 federal agencies to give employees their jobs back by Monday
March 13, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues to stop dismantling of Department of Education and protect students
Joins coalition of 21 AGs in claiming dismantling Department violates Constitution and federal law, usurps Congress’s authority; seeks court order to halt shutdown
March 12, 2025
Attorney General Ellison urges U.S. Supreme Court to defend Medicaid recipients’ freedom to choose their providers
17 states argue Medicaid Act gives patients the freedom to choose their own providers
March 12, 2025
Attorney General Ellison again asks court to preserve National Labor Relations Board
Co-leads second amicus brief in this case after court last week called President’s purported firing of Gwynne Wilcox ‘blatantly illegal’
March 7, 2025
Attorney General Ellison files criminal complaint in death of Hardel Sherrell at Beltrami County Jail
Michelle Skroch charged with second-degree manslaughter and two counts of criminal neglect arising from 2018 in-custody death
March 7, 2025
Attorney General Ellison wins settlement dissolving nonprofits used to deceive Minnesotans
Settlement also prevents nonprofits’ president from founding or leading nonprofits in the future and repays defrauded consumers
March 7, 2025
Attorney General Ellison submits final proposed fix for ending Google’s illegal search-engine monopoly
Joins bipartisan coalition of AGs and USDOJ in making final ask to court to prohibit Google from paying to be default search engine, require Google to share unlawfully obtained data with rivals, and divest Chrome browser, among other remedies
March 7, 2025
Attorney General Ellison files lawsuit to stop mass firings of federal probationary employees
Co-leads coalition of 20 attorneys general in alleging Trump administration broke federal laws and rules in summary mass firings at federal agencies
March 6, 2025
Judge holds Trump termination of NLRB member unlawful and void
Judge calls Wilcox’s firing “blatantly illegal.” Ruling follows an amicus brief AG Ellison filed in support of Wilcox
March 5, 2025
Attorney General Ellison issues multistate guidance for schools on legal diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives
Joins coalition of 15 AGs in multistate response to executive order and misleading US Dept. of Education letter and FAQ to K-12 schools, colleges, and universities
February 28, 2025
Attorney General Ellison calls on court to keep Labor Board functioning
Coalition of 20 attorneys general argues the unlawful dismissal of NLRB board member undermines the functioning of the NLRB and the enforcement of labor laws across America
February 28, 2025
Attorney General Ellison takes action to enforce court order stopping Trump Administration’s illegal funding freeze
February 28, 2025
Jenup Stepen Chop sentenced to over 37 years for drive-by shooting homicide
Chop convicted of 2nd Degree Murder – Drive-by Shooting, and two counts of Attempted Murder in the 1st Degree – Drive-by Shooting; received a total of 450 months in prison for committing a shooting involving multiple victims
February 21, 2025
Ahead of hearing, Attorney General Ellison issues joint statement on lawsuit to preserve funding for medical and public health innovation research
February 21, 2025
Attorney General Ellison calls on court to protect gender-affirming care
Joins coalition of 18 attorneys general in amicus brief to support plaintiffs in PFLAG v. Trump
February 21, 2025
Attorney General Ellison stops Elon Musk and DOGE from accessing Americans’ private information and cutting federal funds through the Treasury
Ellison wins preliminary injunction barring Musk and DOGE from Treasury payment system while lawsuit proceeds
February 20, 2025
Barring students from participating in extracurricular activities consistent with their gender identity would violate the Minnesota Human Rights Act
State High School League requests guidance on Trump Administration Executive Order
February 20, 2025
Attorney General Ellison defends CFPB from attempt to dismantle it
Joins 22 other AGs in warning against efforts to defund and shutter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
February 19, 2025
External audit praises Attorney General Ellison’s Conviction Review Unit
Review calls Ellison’s Conviction Review Unit “a model for how statewide conviction integrity work should be done”
February 18, 2025
Court upholds Attorney General Ellison’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil and others
Lawsuit first filed in 2020 to continue in state court after judge largely denies defendants’ motion to dismiss
February 14, 2025
Attorney General Ellison, Senator Boldon, and Representative Reyer announce Minnesota Medical Debt Reset Act
Act invests $5 million to relieve an estimated $500 million in medical debt
February 14, 2025
Attorney General’s Office releases guidance on legal responsibilities for Minnesota schools regarding federal immigration policy
February 14, 2025
Attorney General Ellison wins temporary protections for gender-affirming care in Minnesota
Federal court order two-week halt to unconstitutional Trump order targeting gender-affirming care for youth in lawsuit by three attorneys general
February 13, 2025
Attorney General Ellison files landmark multistate lawsuit to stop Elon Musk’s unconstitutional power grab
February 13, 2025
Attorney General Ellison issues guidance for businesses on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility employment initiatives in the workplace
16 attorneys general emphasize legality and importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives in hiring, retention and employee engagement
February 12, 2025
Fredy Saavedra Olivar sentenced to more than 30 years for home invasion turned homicide
Olivar convicted of 2nd degree murder and 1st degree burglary with a dangerous weapon; received a 366-month total sentence
February 11, 2025
Attorney General Ellison shuts down asphalt fraudster
Brandon Michael Ferguson and Community Blacktop, LLC agree to dissolve company and pay $100K to State in restitution for victimized consumers
February 10, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration for illegal cuts to medical and public health innovation research
Joins coalition of 22 AGs in challenging NIH funding for universities and research institutions, alleging cuts violate federal law
February 7, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues to end unconstitutional presidential order criminalizing, ending funding for gender-affirming care
February 6, 2025
Minnesota law prohibits law enforcement from holding someone on an immigration detainer if the person would otherwise be released from custody
Attorney General’s Office issues formal opinion as authorized by law
February 6, 2025
Attorney General Ellison and coalition of 12 attorneys general release statement on DOGE access to sensitive personal information
February 4, 2025
Attorney General Ellison criminally charges Evergreen Acres Dairy owner with exploiting workers
Keith Schaefer charged with four counts of wage theft, one count of felony racketeering for systematically depriving workers of wages and subjecting them to abuse
February 4, 2025
Attorney General Ellison releases report on AI and social media’s effects on young people
Report describes harms caused, traces those harms to specific design features, and recommends solutions to state legislature
February 3, 2025
Attorney General Ellison and 11 other attorneys general warn federal employees about misleading buyout offer
January 31, 2025
Joint statement from 12 state attorneys general: President Trump is misleading the American people on purpose of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives
“His baseless and offensive claims that these initiatives somehow contributed to the tragic plane crash this week are an insult to those who are grieving and the individuals serving in the military and air traffic control.”
January 31, 2025
Attorney General Ellison announces initial victory in lawsuit challenging President Trump’s illegal federal funding freeze
Federal judge today issued Temporary Restraining Order to restore funding, orders Trump Administration not to withhold federal funding allocated by Congress
January 30, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues nonprofits and their president for violations of Minnesota law arising out of a pattern of ongoing disruptive and deceptive conduct
State files lawsuit against five nonprofits and their president, David Singleton, for using names, verbiage and images to create the false appearance of government affiliation and for failing to meet basic nonprofit charitable requirements
January 29, 2025
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with cultural food bank and its president over misuse of funds, governance failures
Settlement requires president to pay back charitable funds he spent on personal food, retail purchases, car expenses, monetary withdrawals, and more
January 28, 2025
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with sham nonprofit and its founder over violations of the Minnesota Nonprofit Corporation Act
Previously, Attorney General Ellison sued nonprofit founder and landlord Steven Meldahl for living conditions at his properties that a judge compared to a “biblical plague”
January 28, 2025
Attorney General Ellison joins 22 states in suing to stop Trump Administration from withholding essential federal funding
New Trump Administration policy would block trillions in funding for health, education, law enforcement, disaster relief, and other essential state programs
January 27, 2025
Attorney General Keith Ellison secures $35 Novo Nordisk insulin for Minnesotans
For five years, insulin manufacturer Novo Nordisk agrees to cap out-of-pocket cost of its insulin treatments at $35 per month, and provide free insulin to the neediest Minnesotans
January 23, 2025
Attorney General Ellison cracks down on “timeshare exit” companies and issues consumer alert to avoid scams
Investigations lead to settlements with three companies that violated Minnesota law in promising relief from timeshare debts; AG to refund nearly $270K to Minnesotans
January 23, 2025
AG Ellison: ‘U.S. Constitution prevents the federal government from commandeering states to enforce federal laws’
Joins coalition of 12 attorneys general in joint statement on DOJ memo about compelling state and local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law
January 21, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues to block unconstitutional executive order on birthright citizenship
Joins coalition of 22 jurisdictions in suing to defend basic constitutional rights for all Americans
January 17, 2025
Attorney General Ellison appeals decision striking down Minnesota gun safety law to U.S. Supreme Court
Ellison defends state ban on 18-to-20-year-olds carrying loaded handguns in public
January 16, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues e-cigarette manufacturer, launches investigation of another
High Light Vapes promoted products as ‘stealthy’ way to vape because of ‘striking resemblance to actual highlighters’; AG alleges violations of state laws against marketing tobacco to children, consumer fraud
January 15, 2025
Attorney General Ellison sues Deere & Company to protect farmers from high repair costs and unfair corporate tactics
Deere’s monopoly practices unfairly drive up farming equipment repair costs, restrict farmers’ ability to quickly seek repairs necessary for planting, harvesting
January 15, 2025
Attorney General Ellison takes action to protect Affordable Care Act access for DACA recipients
With incoming Trump administration expected to withdraw support, Minnesota and 13 others intervene to defend access to healthcare from court challenge
January 10, 2025
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with immigration charity to address governance deficiencies
The AGO determined that several aspects of CMCEO’s governance required compliance improvements, including its contractor designations, financial controls, board procedures, and registration with the AGO.
January 8, 2025
Attorney General Ellison charges one with $7.3M in Medicaid fraud prosecution
Former felon Chavis Willis charged with racketeering, felony theft by swindle; was not eligible to operate Medicaid-funded business, billed for services not rendered
December 23, 2024
SCAM STOPPER: Attorney General Ellison shares alert on immigration scams
The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly Scam Stopper series, aiming to help protect Minnesota consumers from common scams.
December 20, 2024
Attorney General Ellison praises indictment of Evergreen Recovery leaders for Medicaid fraud
US Attorney’s Office worked closely with AG Ellison’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to investigate, secure indictments
December 19, 2024
Attorney General Ellison wins restitution for workers that gig-work company misclassified
Arise Virtual Solutions to pay $300K to customer service workers it misclassified as independent contractors, stop doing business in Minnesota
December 16, 2024
“Painting swastikas on a synagogue is an appalling act of hate”
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released the following statement after two swastikas were found painted outside the entrance to Temple Israel, a synagogue in Minneapolis
December 12, 2024
Austin Navarro sentenced to 25 years for murder of 2-year-old child
Navarro convicted of 2nd degree murder; received a 25-year sentence based on aggravating factors
December 12, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues Glock for making and selling handguns that can easily be turned into machine guns
Glock, which dominates the American handgun market, has known since at least 1988 that ‘Glock switches’ quickly and easily convert Glock handguns into illegal machine guns, yet refuses to make design choices to discourage this conversion and promotes ‘fun’ of machine guns
December 10, 2024
Attorney General Ellison recovers more than $58M in underpayments from Big Tobacco
Philip Morris and RJ Reynolds tried to use a 2018 tax cut to justify underpaying Minnesota by roughly $10M per year under historic tobacco settlement
December 5, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues former charter-school superintendent who lost more than $4M in illegal investment with hedge fund
Civil action seeks return of funds from Christianna Hang. Separately, AG mandates reforms in settlement with Hmong College Prep Academy, alleging board members did not properly oversee Hang.
December 3, 2024
Attorney General Ellison shuts down charity after investigation finds self-dealing transactions and governance violations
In the settlement, filed in Hennepin County District Court, the Attorney General alleges that Gar Gaar paid more than $100,000 to a for-profit company owned by two of Gar Gaar’s officers and that an audit found several significant deficiencies in Gar Gaar’s internal controls, among other issues.
November 26, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures consent order stopping high-cost online lenders and discharging illegal loans
Consent order is result of settlement with consortium of online lenders, halting further lending at illegal 200-800% interest rates and cancelling existing loan balances likely totaling over $1M
November 26, 2024
Attorney General Ellison urges Humana to correct misinformation regarding Medicare Advantage
Major health care providers no longer accepting certain Medicare Advantage Plans, dramatically changing care options for over 60,000 Minnesotans. Humana reportedly advertised to consumers that certain providers would be in-network when that is not the case.
November 25, 2024
Attorney General Ellison issues alert to seniors with Medicare Advantage
Major health care providers no longer accepting certain Medicare Advantage Plans, dramatically changing care options for over 60,000 Minnesotans
November 21, 2024
Attorney General Ellison proposes remedies for ending Google’s illegal search-engine monopoly
Joins bipartisan coalition of AGs and USDOJ in asking court to prohibit Google from paying to be default search engine, require Google to share unlawfully obtained data with rivals, and divest Chrome browser, among other remedies
November 21, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches $142K settlement with Conagra over employment statements
Conagra to provide compliant employment statements, pay restitution to workers for past non-compliance
November 19, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches $3.5 million settlement with Edina Realty
Settlement resolves investigation into Edina’s alleged breaches of fiduciary duties firm owes its clients; Edina will provide refunds for consumers and reforms to its business practices going forward
November 8, 2024
Attorney General Ellison requires charity to dissolve over governance violations
Urban Advantage Services failed to register and meet basic governance standards, abandoned charitable purpose
November 8, 2024
SCAM STOPPER: Attorney General Ellison warns of claim sharks on Veterans Day
The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly "Scam Stoppers" series, aiming to protect Minnesota consumers from common scams
November 7, 2024
Attorney General’s Office and Isanti County Attorney’s Office secure 2nd degree murder, other convictions in Isanti County
Court convicts Fredy Saavedra Olivar on four counts following December 2023 murder of Jose De Jesus Diaz Fernandes. Attorney General’s Office prosecuted this case upon request of Isanti County Attorney, per state law
November 7, 2024
Edgar Barrientos murder conviction vacated after AGO uncovered evidence of innocence
AGO’s Conviction Review Unit helps free man wrongfully convicted in 2009; Barrientos released from prison, case against him dismissed
November 4, 2024
Attorney General Ellison announces $49M in settlements in generic drug price-fixing litigation
Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex to cooperate in ongoing 50-state antitrust litigation against generic-drug companies
November 1, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures settlement to improve access to mental healthcare
Blue Cross will voluntarily contribute $600,000 to Minnesota State University-Mankato for use by the Center for Rural Behavioral Health
October 29, 2024
SCAM STOPPER: Attorney General Ellison shares steps to take following a data breach
The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly Scam Stopper series, aiming to help protect Minnesota consumers from common scams.
October 21, 2024
Attorney General Ellison shuts down fraudulent debt settlement companies and secures over $1 million in refunds for consumers
In total, Ellison has returned over $2.8 million to victims of predatory debt settlement companies
October 18, 2024
Attorney General Ellison issues robocall warning to iDentidad
Attorney General Ellison is part of the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force of 51 bipartisan attorneys general, which investigates and takes legal action against those responsible for routing illegal robocall traffic into and across the United States.
October 17, 2024
Attorney General Ellison helps secure tens of millions in refunds for Xcel Energy customers
At a hearing on October 15, 2024, the Public Utilities Commission sided with Attorney General Ellison’s Office and the Minnesota Department of Commerce when it voted to refund Xcel Energy customers tens of millions of dollars, with interest, for replacement power costs resulting from a power plant outage occurring in 2011.
October 14, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures victory against tax debt settlement company after 12-day trial
Court found company deceived hundreds of Minnesotans knowingly and in bad faith, finding they were ‘essentially tricked into paying millions of dollars in fees to Wall’ and that company ‘inflicted significant injury upon hundreds of Minnesota consumers’
October 13, 2024
Attorney General Ellison’s Office to hold expungement clinic in Moorhead
At the clinic, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office will be available to review Minnesotans’ records, determine if they are eligible for expungement, and if they are, work with them and with the prosecutors to file the necessary paperwork to have their records sealed.
October 10, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with nonprofit over founder’s misuse of charitable assets
AG’s investigation finds Shannon Steele unlawfully used $156K of Northern Lakes Rescue charitable assets for personal purposes; prohibited from serving nonprofit in any way
October 9, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches data-breach settlement with Marriott
4-year breach of Starwood guest reservation database exposed 131.5 million guest records, including passport numbers and payment card information; Marriot to pay $52M nationally, $800K to Minnesota
October 8, 2024
Bipartisan coalition of attorneys general seek court enforcement as TikTok fails to preserve and produce evidence in multistate investigation
Attorney General Ellison and the bipartisan coalition began an investigation into TikTok in 2022 to determine whether TikTok is violating state consumer protection laws in ways that have fueled the ongoing crisis in the mental health of children and teens.
October 4, 2024
Elizabeth Odette to chair national antitrust task force
Minnesota Assistant AG selected as chair of Multistate Antitrust Task Force of bipartisan National Association of Attorneys General
October 3, 2024
Attorney General Ellison releases guidance on voting safely and free from intimidation and misinformation, along with new elections report form
“Know Your Rights” webpage and elections report form now public on Attorney General’s sites
October 3, 2024
Attorney General Ellison wins protections for dairy workers in major wage theft action
Settlement with Evergreen Dairy to bring employee housing up to code, document pay terms and conditions of employment, pay $250K in back wages
October 2, 2024
Attorney General Ellison files fraud lawsuit to protect Somali immigrant families
Ellison sues property development company in response to reports of fraud from the public
October 2, 2024
Attorney General Ellison celebrates the start of the Debt Fairness Act
As of October 1, medical debt will no longer be automatically transferred to one’s spouse, cannot be used to deny medically necessary care, can no longer be reported to credit reporting agencies
September 27, 2024
Attorney General Ellison supports federal regulations on gun trafficking
Joins 22 AGs in supporting ATF rule to curb gun trafficking
September 25, 2024
Attorney General Ellison seeks court oversight over Rainbow Health dissolution
Attorney General seeks court supervision over Rainbow Health to ensure orderly disposition of nonprofit assets
September 25, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues telemarketing and real estate sales company for deceiving homeowners and suing their heirs
MV Realty promised quick cash for homeowners in exchange for serving as eventual realtor, unlawfully hid egregious and unfair contract details
September 20, 2024
Michael Carpenter sentenced to life in prison for murder of Nicole Hammond
Carpenter convicted of 1st degree premeditated murder; received statutory sentence of life imprisonment without release
September 19, 2024
Attorney General Ellison warns of growing reports of mortgage assistance scams
The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly Scam Stopper series, aiming to help protect Minnesota consumers from common scams
September 17, 2024
Attorney General Ellison shuts down nonprofit accused of being a conduit for fraud
Investigation found misuse by founder and president Mekfira Hussein of Shamsia Hopes’ charitable assets
September 10, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures relief for asylum seekers harmed by immigration attorney’s misrepresentations
Settlement secures roughly $100,000 in refunds for dozens of immigrants who paid for legal services not properly rendered
September 6, 2024
Attorney General Ellison issues inaugural ‘Working for Workers’ report
Report highlights ways Office helps workers fight wage theft; to be issued annually around Labor Day
September 4, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues online retailer for selling $900K in products he didn’t deliver, advertising charitable support he didn’t provide
Files lawsuit against William Shocinski, Jr. and multiple businesses he has owned for thousands of violations of Minnesota’s consumer protection laws
August 30, 2024
Attorney General Ellison requires fundraiser to pay back charity, bars founders from all future fundraising
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced that he has reached a settlement with professional fundraiser Ride to The Chip, LLC and its founders
August 30, 2024
Attorney General Ellison issues consumer alert about Lumber Liquidators bankruptcy
Chanhassen, Rochester, and St. Cloud stores to close as part of company’s bankruptcy restructuring
August 29, 2024
Attorney General Keith Ellison warns against continued sales of unauthorized e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches
Letter to 5,000 distributors and retailers requests they stop selling unauthorized and illegal products; details the harm to youth from marketing and sale of unauthorized flavored tobacco products, consequences under federal and state law
August 23, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues RealPage for algorithmic pricing scheme that harms renters
Joins DOJ and seven states alleging RealPage’s pricing algorithm violates antitrust laws
August 21, 2024
Conviction Review Unit recommends 2009 Hennepin County murder conviction be vacated
After three-year investigation, CRU issues 293-page report highlighting exculpatory evidence jury never heard, inaccuracies in how evidence was presented to jury
August 20, 2024
Attorney General Ellison’s report on social media’s effect on young people wins national award
National Conference of State Legislatures recognizes report with 2024 Notable Document Award; second time AG’s Office so honored
August 15, 2024
Free insulin now flowing to Minnesota clinics
Insulin manufacturer Eli Lilly and nonprofit Direct Relief partnering with nine clinics to provide free insulin throughout Minnesota, thanks to settlement AG Ellison negotiated
August 7, 2024
Attorney General Ellison successfully defends Restore the Vote Act
Minnesota Supreme Court unanimously rejects attempt to disenfranchise Minnesotans
August 5, 2024
Attorney General’s Office secures 1st degree and 2nd degree murder convictions in Benton County
Jury convicts Michael Carpenter of all charges, including premeditated and intentional murder, following October 2022 killing of Nicole Hammond
August 2, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with youth soccer nonprofit to address violations of charities laws
All In Minnesota failed to meet board governance requirements, including financial controls and board scrutiny of conflicted transactions
August 1, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with Reynolds, Walmart over deceptive marketing of ‘recycling’ bags that are not recyclable
Companies to stop selling products in Minnesota for 2 ½ years, can reenter market only if bags are clearly marked as non-recyclable; will also pay $200K, equivalent of 100% of profits
August 1, 2024
Attorney General Ellison obtains compensation for homeowners who lost their equity when in foreclosure
Dwell Equities, LLC will pay Minnesota almost $240,000 and stop purchasing residential homes and equities in foreclosure proceedings
July 31, 2024
Attorney General Ellison ends unfair labor practices at major auto services company
Valvoline ends non-compete agreements which banned employees from working at another oil change business within 100 miles for one year after leaving company
July 31, 2024
Attorney General Ellison warns Minnesotans about telemarketing scams
The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly Scam Stopper series, aiming to help protect Minnesota consumers from fraud.
July 30, 2024
Attorney General Ellison asks court to review decision allowing 18-year-olds to obtain open-carry gun permits
Petitions entire 8th Circuit Court of Appeals to review three-judge panel decision ruling that 18- to 20-year-olds may obtain permits to open-carry pistols in Minnesota, contrary to longstanding Minnesota law and historical tradition
July 25, 2024
Attorney General Ellison celebrates signing of employer misclassification fraud bill
New bill makes it harder for employers to incorrectly classify employees as independent contractors
July 23, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures more low-cost insulin for Minnesotans
Insulin manufacturer Sanofi agrees to cap out-of-pocket cost of its insulin products at $35 per monthly prescription, and provide free insulin to the neediest Minnesotans, for five years, in settlement of 2018 lawsuit
July 17, 2024
Attorney General Ellison takes actions to protect consumers from deceptive conduct in the solar industry
Ellison obtains four new settlements with multiple entities regarding deceptive practices and misleading residential solar panel advertisements
July 10, 2024
Attorney General Ellison shares resources available to consumers following the Change Healthcare cyberattack
Change Healthcare offering Minnesotans two years of credit monitoring and identity theft protections
July 3, 2024
Attorney General Ellison moves to recover $58M in Big Tobacco underpayments under Minnesota’s historic tobacco settlement
Alleges Philip Morris misrepresented settlement requirements to payment administrator; moves to recover underpayments, interest, and civil penalties, and prevent future underpayments
June 28, 2024
Attorney General Ellison wins $128K in refunds for waste-disposal company consumers over undisclosed fees
Investigation found waste disposal company Republic Services failed to properly disclose fees to consumers; settlement will require disclosure moving forward
June 20, 2024
Attorney General’s Office named a top workplace in Minnesota for fourth year in a row
Office received special recognition for leadership among midsize employers
June 19, 2024
Attorney General Ellison charges five with stealing more than $10M in two Medicaid fraud prosecutions
Three charged with more than $9M in fraud as part of Office’s largest-ever prosecution; two others charged with $1.4M in fraud in connection with separate, multi-year prosecution
June 17, 2024
Attorney General Ellison celebrates signing of Debt Fairness Act
New law reforms medical-debt collection, wage garnishment, and bankruptcy, including banning automatic transfer of medical debt to one’s spouse, banning reporting medical debt to credit bureaus, and banning denying necessary medical care over unpaid bills
June 11, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches $700 million nationwide settlement against Johnson & Johnson
J&J will pay Minnesota more than $10 million and stop manufacturing and selling talc products
June 10, 2024
Attorney General Ellison leads effort asking Supreme Court to rule on states’ authority to regulate pharmacy benefit managers
Leads another bipartisan coalition of 32 AGs in requesting high court review Oklahoma’s authority to regulate abusive behavior of PBMs
June 6, 2024
Conviction Review Unit recommends first-degree murder conviction be vacated after 23 years
Brian Pippitt files motion in Aitkin County to vacate 2001 conviction
June 5, 2024
Attorney General’s Office completes prosecutions related to murder of Zaria McKeever
Eriana Haynes and Tavion James sentenced today after guilty pleas to aiding an offender in brutal November 2022 slaying
June 3, 2024
Online retailer agrees to 10-year ban after scamming seniors, disabled people
Upright Cane and owner Caelan Nwokeuku sold walkers and scooters to seniors and disabled Minnesotans, largely those living in Greater Minnesota, but failed to deliver a single one; will pay $50K in fines and restitution
June 3, 2024
Attorney General Ellison adds claim against Fleet Farm for violating the Minnesota Gun Control Act
Court also authorizes Attorney General to seek civil penalties, fees, and costs from Fleet Farm; affirms Attorney General’s broad civil powers to protect Minnesotans from unfair and unlawful conduct
May 30, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with NCAA over transfer rule
NCAA will not require Division I student athletes to wait a year to compete simply for transferring schools
May 29, 2024
Attorney General Ellison calls for DOJ investigation into murder of Garrett Foster following Texas pardon
Garrett Foster was protesting racial injustice when he was shot and killed by Daniel Perry in July 2020; Perry was convicted in April 2023 but pardoned by Texas governor earlier this month
May 29, 2024
Attorney General Ellison warns Minnesotans to avoid contract for deed pitfalls and scams
The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly Scam Stopper series, aiming to help protect Minnesota consumers from fraud.
May 28, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with medical device manufacturer over time-shaving
Attorney General alleges Spectrum Plastics Group rounded time to the disadvantage of its employees
May 23, 2024
Attorney General Ellison joins federal antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation
Joins DOJ and bipartisan coalition of 30 AGs in alleging Live Nation, owner of Ticketmaster, has illegally monopolized the live-entertainment industry
May 20, 2024
Attorney General Ellison, lawmakers, and other leaders commend legislature for passing bill to combat employer misclassification fraud
Employer misclassification fraud happens when an employer incorrectly classifies a full-time employee as an independent contractor, resulting in that employee losing access to important rights, benefits, and protections, like overtime pay, workers compensation, earned sick and safe time, and more.
May 16, 2024
Attorney General Ellison shuts down 17 sham nonprofits involved in federal child nutrition fraud
The court-ordered dissolutions will protect the public from further fraudulent use of the 17 nonprofits, which were used to steal funds intended to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic
May 16, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with Dolan Printing over non-compete agreements
Dolan Printing to release current and former workers from pre-existing non-compete agreements
May 16, 2024
Attorney General Ellison commends Senate for final passage of the Debt Fairness Act
Act reforms medical debt collection, wage garnishment, and bankruptcy, including banning automatic transfer of medical debt to one’s spouse and banning denying necessary medical care over unpaid bills
May 14, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues home seller and lender for predatory lending, deceptive practices, and religious discrimination
Files lawsuit against Chadwick Banken and multiple businesses Banken owns for selling homes via contract for deed using deceptive and predatory practices, illegally discriminating against Muslim purchasers
May 9, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlements with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon over deceptive advertising
Companies required to change practices and provide enhanced disclosures as well as pay Minnesota over $146,000
May 9, 2024
Court rejects Avid Telecom’s attempts to dismiss illegal-robocalls case
Attorney General Ellison’s lawsuit with bipartisan 49-state coalition to proceed; Avid allegedly sent or attempted more than 24 billion scam calls
May 3, 2024
Attorney General Ellison charges eight in $2.6M Medicaid fraud scheme
Alleges defendants stole identities from hundreds in Faribault area to bill Medicaid for services not received or provided, or ineligible for reimbursement
May 2, 2024
Attorney General Ellison returns $1 million in back wages to 3M employees after unauthorized paycheck deductions
Settlement with 3M will affect 1,690 employees
April 30, 2024
As the weather warms, Attorney General Ellison warns Minnesotans to avoid home improvement scams
The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly Scam Stopper series, aiming to help protect Minnesota consumers from fraud.
April 25, 2024
Attorney General Ellison urges UnitedHealth Group to help patients and providers harmed by cyberattack on Change Healthcare
Leads bipartisan coalition of 22 attorneys general to urge UHG take more meaningful action in wake of catastrophic February 2024 attack that disrupted healthcare nationwide
April 19, 2024
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office named top employer for veterans
VETS Indexes 4 Star Employer Award highlights AG Ellison’s commitment to hiring, retaining, and supporting veterans
April 19, 2024
Attorney General Ellison urges confirmation of ‘highly qualified’ Adeel Mangi to federal appeals bench
Leads coalition of 11 AGs in advocating for Senate confirmation of Mangi, who would be the first Muslim to sit on a federal appeals court
April 17, 2024
Attorney General Ellison announces airline passenger protection partnership with U.S. Department of Transportation
Ellison praised the new coordinated effort that will provide better protection to millions of U.S. airline passengers
April 15, 2024
Attorney General Ellison hails House passage of key provisions of Debt Fairness Act
Key provisions of the Act included in Commerce Policy Omnibus bill include banning the automatic transfer of medical debt to a patient’s spouse, protecting Minnesotans’ last $4k from collections, banning reporting medical debt to credit agencies, and more
April 1, 2024
Attorney General’s Office secures final guilty pleas in murder of Zaria McKeever
Erick Haynes pleads guilty to first-degree murder in brutal November 2022 slaying, to receive life sentence with possibility of parole after 30 years. Eriana Haynes and Tavion James plead guilty to aiding and abetting an offender after the fact. Foday Kevin Kamara previously pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree intentional murder
March 30, 2024
Attorney General Ellison warns Minnesotans to avoid debt collection scams
The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly Scam Stopper alerts, aiming to help protect Minnesota consumers from fraud
March 29, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures dismissal of nonprofit officials over misuse of funds
Settlement also requires Action for East African People to rectify multiple governance failures, comply fully with ongoing AGO civil investigation
March 28, 2024
Attorney General Ellison tells Glock to preserve evidence related to firearms’ easy conversion into machine guns
Joins coalition of 13 AGs in letter to weapons manufacturer in wake of City of Chicago lawsuit over switches that turn pistols into machine guns
March 25, 2024
Attorney General Ellison wins protections for dairy-farm workers while wage theft lawsuit continues
Evergreen agrees to temporary injunction containing measures to prevent wage theft and improve housing conditions while Attorney General Ellison continues to prosecute civil lawsuit
March 22, 2024
Attorney General’s Office secures guilty plea in murder of Zaria McKeever
Per plea agreement between AG’s Office and defendant, Foday Kevin Kamara agreed to be certified as an adult, plead guilty to 2nd-degree intentional murder, testify at upcoming trial, and be sentenced to 130 months
March 21, 2024
Attorney General Ellison announces 2024 ‘Clean Slate’ expungement tour
Tour kicks off in St. Paul this Saturday in partnership with Ramsey County Attorney John Choi
March 21, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues Apple for monopolizing smartphone markets, joining DOJ and 15 state AGs
Complaint alleges Apple’s broad-based, exclusionary conduct makes it harder for Americans to switch smartphones, undermines innovation for apps, products, and services, and imposes extraordinary costs on developers, businesses, and consumers
March 20, 2024
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office named Top Workplace USA for 3rd year in a row
AGO has been named a Star Tribune Top Workplace for 3 years in a row as well
March 18, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with veterans charity and its founder over misuse funds, governance failures
Founder spent charitable funds on personal food, coffee, gas, clothing, hair, nails, cigarettes, gambling, and more
March 15, 2024
Attorney General’s Office and Freeborn County Attorney’s Office secures 2nd-degree murder, other convictions in Freeborn County
Jury convicts Ben Moreno on five counts in August 2022 murder of Juan Vasquez Jr. and attempted murder of Marco Posada
March 15, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches landmark settlement with single-family rental-home landlords
Resolution of AG’s 2022 lawsuit against HavenBrook Homes provides $2.2M in restitution and $2M in debt forgiveness for tenants, creates path for sale of rental homes to affordable-housing entities
March 14, 2024
New report finds misclassification fraud a growing problem in Minnesota
OLA report showcases the need for legislative action to combat misclassification fraud
March 8, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues solar lenders over $35M in deceptive hidden fees
Attorney General’s investigation uncovered four large solar-lending companies charged $35 million in hidden fees on nearly 5,000 loans that financed sales of residential solar panels
March 8, 2024
Attorney General Ellison warns consumers of healthcare provider imposter scams
State hospital associations have received reports from patients who have been targeted by scammers seeking to steal their credit card information.
March 1, 2024
Attorney General Ellison completes review of merger between St. Luke’s and Aspirus, reaches five-year oversight agreement
Under new Health Care Entity Transactions law, Aspirus and St. Luke’s to report to Attorney General on merger commitments; reports will allow AG to determine whether merger continues to comply with the law and is in public interest
February 22, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures settlement stopping predatory online lending and collection of illegal interest
Attorney General brought federal lawsuit in 2023 to stop online lenders targeting vulnerable consumers and charging 400-800% interest; lenders had collected at least $540K from defaulted Minnesota borrowers
February 15, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures $85K in refunds for solar garden consumers charged unlawful early-termination fees
Community solar garden operator owners also agree to suspend enforcement of early-termination fees in current contracts and not to enter into new contracts with unlawful fees
February 14, 2024
On Valentine’s Day, Attorney General Ellison Warns Minnesotans to Avoid Romance Scams
The warning is the first in a series of monthly Scam Stopper alerts that Attorney General Ellison will be issuing to help protect Minnesota consumers from fraud.
February 7, 2024
Attorney General Ellison secures low-cost insulin for Minnesotans
In resolution of 2018 lawsuit, insulin manufacturer Eli Lilly agrees to cap out-of-pocket cost of its insulin products at $35 per monthly prescription, and provide free insulin to clinics serving the neediest Minnesotans, for five years
February 7, 2024
Attorney General Ellison prevails at Minnesota Supreme Court on Otto Bremer trustee removal case
Supreme Court upholds district court and court of appeals decisions to remove former trustee, stating he “repeatedly placed his own priorities before those of the Trust”
February 2, 2024
Attorney General Ellison announces $350 million settlement with multinational marketing firm Publicis over role in opioid epidemic
Minnesota to receive over $4.4M. Brings Minnesota’s total in opioid settlements to $564M.
February 2, 2024
Attorney General Ellison reaches voluntary settlement requiring environmental charity to improve governance
Honor the Earth cooperating to correct previous governance issues
February 1, 2024
Attorney General Ellison releases report on social media and AI’s effect on young people
Report commissioned by Legislature details how emerging technologies are harming youth and makes recommendations for creating safer online environment for youth
January 22, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues debt-relief company for illegally swindling over $100 million from families struggling with debt
AG Ellison joins the CFPB and six other attorneys general in filing the lawsuit against Strategic Financial Solutions
January 19, 2024
Attorney General Ellison joins antitrust lawsuit against NCAA over transfer rule
Alleges rule is illegal restraint on athletes’ ability to sell own image, control own education
January 12, 2024
Attorney General Ellison makes appointments to new Clemency Review Commission
Names former Public Safety Commissioner John Harrington, U of M law professor Perry Moriearty, and Carl Crawford
January 8, 2024
Minnesota’s climate-deception lawsuit to finally proceed in state court after SCOTUS denies review of lower-court ruling
U.S. Supreme Court affirms ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit remanding lawsuit to Minnesota state court, where AG Ellison originally filed it in June 2020
January 8, 2024
Attorney General Ellison sues large dairy farm for millions in wage theft
Civil lawsuit alleges Evergreen Acres has failed to pay at least $3M of vulnerable workers’ earned wages, illegally charged rent for substandard housing, and maintained a culture of fear and violence to discourage reporting
December 28, 2023
Court requires landlord to stop exposing tenants to lead paint in rental homes
Attorney General Ellison wins motion against landlord Progress Residential in ongoing lawsuit; court orders Progress to comply with state and federal lead-paint hazard laws
December 27, 2023
Attorney General Ellison urges Supreme Court to uphold federal rule banning bump stocks
Joins coalition of 23 AGs in defending bump stock rule issued after 2017 Las Vegas massacre
December 21, 2023
Attorney General Ellison shuts down two more deceptive student-loan debt-relief companies in Minnesota
The two companies will pay State $56K to refund customers who fell victim to their fraudulent forgiveness schemes
December 20, 2023
Attorney General Ellison bans Florida-based charity Kids Wish Network, Inc. from soliciting donations from Minnesotans for five years
December 19, 2023
Attorney General Ellison applauds holding contractor accountable for wage theft
DLI today filed action against PMC and Advantage to recover $2.4 million in stolen wages and damages
December 19, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches $700M settlement with Google over Play Store misconduct
Resolves lawsuit first filed in 2021; most of the settlement to go directly into consumers’ pockets
December 14, 2023
District court rejects “fundamentally flawed” effort to overturn Restore the Vote Act
Court dismisses challenge to the voting rights of 55,000 Minnesotans
December 14, 2023
Attorney General Ellison Calls on Congress to Defend Consideration of ESG Factors
A coalition of 18 attorneys general ask Congress to not prohibit fiduciaries from considering relevant ESG factors
December 13, 2023
Attorney General Ellison joins multistate coalition condemning Texas Supreme Court decision enforcing the state’s dangerous abortion ban
December 12, 2023
Attorney General Ellison shuts down another deceptive student-loan debt-relief company in Minnesota
California-based company offering fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme will pay State over $179K to refund Minnesota customers
December 8, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with charter school over misuse of funds by three former leaders
State alleged self-dealing by former Executive Director Abdiaziz Shafii Farah and governance shortcomings by previous boards of directors
December 7, 2023
Attorney General Ellison charges three in largest-ever Medicaid fraud prosecution by AGO
Three defendants arrested, charged with 24 counts totaling $11 million in fraud
December 1, 2023
Attorney General Ellison joins 21 attorneys general arguing to block Idaho transgender bathroom law
Law would bar transgender youth from bathrooms, changing rooms at school
December 1, 2023
Attorney General Ellison secures Assurance strengthening governance of first-responder charity
Charity engaged in conflicted transactions and other governance violations
November 20, 2023
Attorney General Ellison secures relief for students victimized by predatory for-profit educational provider
Prehired will void all outstanding income-share agreements, refund harmed borrowers, and permanently cease operations; Settlement secures $31 million in relief nationwide, including debt relief and $80K in refunds for Minnesota consumers
November 9, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches agreement with landlord to stop evicting tenants for unpaid utility charges
IPG also agrees to stop charging many tenants for gas and steam heat
November 8, 2023
Attorney General Ellison shuts down another fraudulent student-loan debt-relief company in Minnesota
California-based company offering fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme will pay State over $59K to refund Minnesota customers
November 6, 2023
Attorney General Ellison invites Minnesotans to share stories on social media use and addiction among children and teenagers
Minnesotans can share their stories at www.ag.state.mn.us/social-media
November 6, 2023
Minnesota joins United States’ antitrust lawsuit against Agri Stats for operating extensive information exchanges among meat processors
Lawsuit alleges that Agri Stats helps big meat processors coordinate to artificially inflate the price of food
November 2, 2023
Court of Appeals blocks Mille Lacs County judge from undermining Restore the Vote law
AG Ellison: Decision “is a victory for our democracy and our entire judicial system”
November 1, 2023
AG Ellison sues to stop predatory internet lending in Minnesota
Brings federal lawsuit to shut down illegal lending operation by jointly owned online businesses Bright Lending, Green Trust Cash, and Target Cash Now
October 24, 2023
Bipartisan coalition of attorneys general file lawsuits against Meta for harming youth mental health through its social media platforms
AG Ellison joins 33 bipartisan attorneys general in federal lawsuit; eight more sue in state courts
October 23, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement in data breach impacting 113K Minnesotans
In bipartisan national settlement, health care clearinghouse Inmediata to overhaul data security and breach notification after 2019 data breach made sensitive medical information of 1.5 million Americans accessible via online search engines
October 23, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement over $2.3B in attempted unauthorized withdrawals
ACI Worldwide will pay $10M total, with Minnesota receiving $119K
October 20, 2023
Attorney General Ellison intervenes to stop Mille Lacs County judge from interfering with legal right to vote, Secretary Simon stands in support
Ellison, Simon encourage all eligible Minnesotans to exercise their right to vote, including formerly incarcerated people
October 19, 2023
Attorney General Ellison files emergency motion, lawsuit to protect tenants from unlawful evictions and illegal utility charges
Requests court stop Investment Property Group from charging its tenants illegal gas utility fees imposed in the middle of their leases, immediately halt eviction of 21 tenants on the basis of non-payment of the illegal fees
October 18, 2023
Attorney General Ellison files 23 lawsuits to shut down fraudulent nonprofits
Lawsuits allege that sham nonprofits were created or revived to act as fraudulent Federal Child Nutrition Program “sites,” seek dissolution
October 17, 2023
Joint statement by Secretary Simon and Attorney General Ellison on recent attempt to undermine Restore the Vote Law
October 11, 2023
Attorney General Ellison shuts down another fraudulent student-loan debt-settlement company
California-based company offering fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme will pay State over $17K to refund Minnesota customers
October 5, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with Blackbaud for data breach
Blackbaud to overhaul data security and breach-notification practices after 2020 breach that exposed personal information of millions of Americans
October 4, 2023
Attorney General Ellison shuts down fraudulent recycling nonprofit
Investigation uncovers president used funds for personal benefit; settlement requires him to pay money back, permanently bans him from operating charity
October 3, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reviewing two proposed healthcare mergers, seeks community input
Evaluating mergers between Essentia Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System and between St. Luke’s Duluth and Aspirus Health under state and federal law, including Minnesota’s new health care entity transaction Law
September 27, 2023
Attorney General Ellison once again defends transgender youth in court
Joins 20 AGs in opposing Indiana law barring lifesaving gender-affirming care for youth; follows prior support for transgender youth in Kentucky and Tennessee
September 26, 2023
Attorney General Ellison joins FTC and bipartisan coalition of state AGs to sue Amazon for illegally maintaining monopolies in online retail
Lawsuit alleges that Amazon blocks competition in violation of the antitrust laws, allowing it to inflate prices, degrade quality, and stifle innovation for consumers and businesses
September 22, 2023
Attorney General Ellison to accept award from International Association of Prosecutors for prosecution of murder of George Floyd
IAP bestowing Special Achievement Award on entire prosecution team; award given to prosecutors who show special dedication to their work in the face of significant adversity
September 20, 2023
Attorney General Ellison further clarifies law on use of force in schools
In supplemented opinion to MDE Commissioner, AG Ellison clarifies that new amendments do not affect definition of ‘reasonable force’ that may be used when carrying out arrests and other lawful duties
September 12, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches $35M settlement with leasing company Tempoe, LLC
Company ‘operated like a predatory payday lender’: marketing and sales practices misled consumers seeking credit for purchases into entering into complicated lease agreements, often resulting in consumers paying 2-3 times more
September 12, 2023
Jacob Johnson sentenced to 40 years for murder of Ricky Balsimo
Johnson convicted in August of 2nd-degree murder; received statutory maximum sentence based on aggravating factors
September 7, 2023
Attorney General Ellison announces members of Worker Misclassification Task Force
Selects advocates, researchers, policymakers to serve along with legislators and representatives of state agencies; first meeting of Task Force on September 13, Rep. Greenman to co-chair
September 6, 2023
Attorney General Ellison opens investigation into 52 student-loan debt-relief companies
Suspected of violating consumer-protection laws and not registering as required by law. AG also issues new guidance about upcoming return to repayment for federal student-loan borrowers, warns of ‘repayment’ scams.
September 5, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches agreement to prevent pharmaceutical giant from abusing market power
Joins FTC and 5 other states in resolving lawsuit against Amgen—settlement allows Amgen to acquire Horizon Therapeutics as long as Amgen does not use its market power to give Horizon’s drugs an unfair leg-up
August 31, 2023
Attorney General Ellison pushes FDA to protect kids from e-cigarette addiction
Joins bipartisan letter of 33 attorneys general in letter urging FDA and Center for Tobacco Products to limit flavors, reduce nicotine levels, restrict marketing to youth
August 29, 2023
Attorney General’s Office charges five with $9.5M in Medicaid fraud
Alleges owners and management of MN Professional PCA agency billed for services not performed, services not supervised by qualified professional
August 28, 2023
Attorney General Ellison: ‘Those of us who believe in liberty and justice for all can never stop’
Issues statement on 60th anniversary of historic March on Washington: the ‘victories for progress’ that the March pushed forward are ‘under attack 60 years later’
August 23, 2023
‘Natalie Hudson is a phenomenally talented jurist…She will serve the state of Minnesota very well’
AG Ellison hails selection of Natalie Hudson as Minnesota Supreme Court chief justice, first person of color to lead court and Minnesota’s Judicial Branch
August 22, 2023
Attorney General Ellison clarifies law on use of force in schools
Issues opinion to MDE Commissioner: recent amendments to school discipline laws do not preclude use of restraint to prevent death, harm to others, or self-harm
August 22, 2023
Attorney General Ellison names Dana Mitchell as Deputy Attorney General
Current AGO Public Safety division manager is 25-year veteran of legal, public, community service
August 18, 2023
Attorney General Ellison announces new steps in renewed focus on medical billing
Will hold public listening sessions in Saint Paul on August 23 and Rochester on September 13; web form for consumers to submit stories and experiences now live
August 16, 2023
Attorney General’s Office secures conviction in Kanabec County murder case
Dustin Tinklenberg pleads guilty to of 2nd-degree intentional murder of his 93-year-old grandmother Stella Anderson in September 2022
August 16, 2023
Federal court tentatively declines to approve agreement in Hyundai/Kia private consumer class-action settlement
Court’s refusal to approve agreement comes shortly after AG Ellison led letter to court recommending it strengthen settlement to require Hyundai/Kia recall or buy back theft-prone vehicles
August 14, 2023
Attorney General Ellison urges court to strengthen Hyundai/Kia private consumer class-action settlement
Leads coalition of 7 AGs in advocating that settlement require Hyundai and Kia to recall and install industry-standard, anti-theft technology in their theft-prone vehicles
August 11, 2023
Attorney General Ellison opposes laws harming transgender youth in Kentucky and Tennessee
Joins coalition of 20 AGs in supporting lawsuits to block harmful new laws that limit access to lifesaving healthcare for trans youth
August 2, 2023
Attorney General’s Office secures another conviction in Cook County murder case
Jacob Johnson convicted by jury of two counts of 2nd-degree murder in June 2021 murder of Ricky Balsimo
July 27, 2023
Attorney General Ellison files opposition to some terms of national 3M class-action settlement
Joins bipartisan coalition of 23 attorneys general in objecting to terms of settlement that could place 3M’s liability for PFAS on public water providers, do not disclose how much individual providers would receive, and provide only 60 days for providers to decide whether to join settlement
July 21, 2023
Attorney General Ellison’s office charges former police officer with financially exploiting vulnerable adult
Lays two charges of felony and gross misdemeanor financial exploitation of vulnerable adult, one charge of felony attempted theft by swindle; alleges defendant attempted to inherit victim’s entire estate despite victim having surviving family
July 20, 2023
Attorney General Ellison joins new partnership with USDA to enhance competition, protect consumers and producers in food and agriculture markets
New Agriculture Competition Partnership comes in response to bipartisan effort AG Ellison led seeking ways to collaborate with USDA on greater enforcement in agriculture markets to ensure fairness and integrity for Minnesota farmers, ranchers, and consumers
July 18, 2023
Minnesota joins federal and state law enforcement partners in new crackdown on illegal robocalls
New enforcement sweep targets those who distributed or facilitated billions of illegal calls
July 13, 2023
Attorney General Ellison sues for-profit educational provider for illegal student lending practices
Program made false promises about jobs and income and made illegal “income-share” loans
July 6, 2023
Attorney General Ellison forms Task Force on Worker Misclassification
Applications accepted until early August through online Open Appointments process
June 29, 2023
Attorney General Ellison urges Google to resolve issue causing surge of inadvertent 911 calls
Recent Android software update causes many hundreds of inadvertent 911 calls per day, creates tremendous drain on emergency-response resources across Minnesota
June 27, 2023
Court upholds entirety of Attorney General Ellison’s lawsuit against Fleet Farm
Federal court denies Fleet Farm’s motion to dismiss, finds State’s claims can proceed despite federal law shielding the firearms industry
June 23, 2023
Attorney General Ellison Joins Landmark FTC Lawsuit Challenging ‘Dangerous’ Pharmaceutical Merger
Lawsuit seeks to block proposed acquisition by Amgen, one of world’s largest drug companies, in FTC’s first ever challenge of a pharmaceutical merger
June 20, 2023
Attorney General Ellison offers Target help in combatting anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and violence
Co-leads letter of 15 AGs expressing concern with Target’s decision to pull some Pride merchandise from stores: concerned it sends message that ‘those who engage in hateful and disruptive conduct … have the power to determine when LGBTQIA+ consumers will feel comfortable in Target stores — or anywhere in society’
June 18, 2023
Attorney General Ellison warns Minnesota ‘Swifties’ of potential scams related to Taylor Swift ‘Eras’ Tour tickets
Recommends important rules to follow to avoid online ticket scams
June 16, 2023
Federal and State investigations of MPD find ‘very serious and systemic problems that we have to fix’
AG Ellison’s statement on results of DOJ investigation into Minneapolis Police Department
June 16, 2023
Clothing retailer ‘Adore Me’ to refund consumers for recurring negative-option membership
Company to pay refunds to customers, make cancellations easier, cease deceptive practices
June 15, 2023
Chief Justice Gildea served our state nobly and honorably for many years
AG Ellison issues statement reacting Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Gildea’s retirement
June 14, 2023
Attorney General Ellison stops physician from deceptively soliciting donations
Agreement bans Excelsior-based wellness physician Sean O’Mara from soliciting for a nonexistent charity, falsely claiming charitability and tax-deductibility, and engaging in other deceptive tactics
June 13, 2023
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office named a Top Workplace for third consecutive year
Ranked #10 among midsize organizations; only government entity among 200 honored
June 13, 2023
Deputy Attorney General Luz María Frías to retire after 30-year career in public service
AG Ellison: ‘Luz Frías is one of a kind … always leading with community’
June 10, 2023
Attorney General Ellison expands consumer-protection work with new Civil Rights Division
Civil Rights Division to protect consumers from discrimination in buying products or services, investigate fraudulent conduct that disproportionately harms consumers on the basis of race, religion, or other protected statuses
June 9, 2023
Minnesota to receive $208M more in settlements with opioid companies
Part of $17.3B in agreements with manufacturers Teva and Allergan and pharmacies CVS and Walgreens
June 6, 2023
Attorney General Ellison sues Reynolds, Walmart for defrauding consumers, deceptively marketing ‘recycling’ bags that are not recyclable
Recyclable materials in ‘recycling’ bags end up in landfills and bags harm recycling facilities and endanger workers, while companies claim they are ‘perfect’ for recycling
June 5, 2023
Attorney General Ellison sues downtown Saint Paul’s largest landowner for scheme to avoid paying overtime to security officers
Alleges Madison Equities used subsidiaries to deprive security officers of overtime wages owed under Minnesota law; also alleges company illegally retaliated against worker who came forward
June 2, 2023
Attorney General Ellison’s office helps cut Xcel Energy’s rate hike by more than half
Attorneys and analysts representing residential and small-business ratepayers as well as the Department of Commerce help ratepayers afford their lives
June 2, 2023
Attorney General Ellison reaches $102.5M national settlement with Suboxone maker for alleged illegal monopoly tactics
Alleges company illegally delayed generic version of drug that treats opioid addiction, tried to convince patients their more expensive version of the drug was safer in order to keep prices high and preserve monopoly
May 23, 2023
Attorney General Ellison sues Avid Telecom over illegal robocalls
Alleges company initiated and facilitated billions of illegal robocalls, including calls spoofing government agencies — including at least 14K to Minnesotans
May 19, 2023
Attorney General Ellison obtains relief for consumers targeted by unscrupulous door-to-door alarm salesman
Skyline Security Management, Inc. and Safe Home Security agree to cancel contracts while AGO enforcement action against Gary Harvey continues
May 19, 2023
Attorney General Ellison secures final judgments against solar-sales companies that defrauded consumers
Settlements with 10 defendants include court-ordered bans on future sales by companies and their owners, prompt completion of existing projects, and consumer restitution of $310K
May 18, 2023
Reports of violence, drug sales down after joint investigation into Winner Gas Station and Merwin Liquors
Investigation by AG Ellison, City of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County prompted changes to stem illegal activity on Minneapolis corner
May 18, 2023
Attorney General Ellison hails passage of key recommendations of his pharmaceutical drug price task force
Provisions of Commerce Omnibus Bill prohibit price-gouging on generic prescription drugs and establish Prescription Drug Affordability Board — ‘These new laws will save Minnesotans’ lives’
May 17, 2023
Minnesota settles lawsuit against Juul and Altria for $60.5 million
After three-week trial, settlement value is largest per capita in US, exceeds JUUL’s gross revenues from marketing and selling to Minnesotans; State to receive 60% of the funds within one year
May 10, 2023
Justin Stetson admits guilt in assault of Jaleel Stallings
Stetson can never serve as a law-enforcement officer again, will apologize to Mr. Stallings and acknowledge his participation in a ‘harmful institutional culture of policing within the Minneapolis Police Department’
May 2, 2023
Tou Thao convicted of 2nd-degree manslaughter in murder of George Floyd
Last of four defendants in Floyd’s 2020 death convicted after stipulated bench trial agreed to in October 2022
April 25, 2023
Attorney General Ellison investigating Minneapolis landlord that may have filed dozens of baseless evictions
Investigating whether Greenway Apartments and Investment Property Group violated landlord-tenant and civil-rights laws by filing eviction actions for charges tenants did not owe
April 24, 2023
Attorney General Ellison again supports limiting non-competes in employment
Joins 18 AGs in comments to FTC in favor of proposed rule he first asked for in 2019; 30M American workers bound by non-compete clauses
April 20, 2023
Attorney General Ellison calls for national recall of theft-prone Hyundai/Kia vehicles
Joins coalition of 18 AGs in asking NHTSA to recall vehicles while AG continues to investigate whether companies have violated Minnesota law
April 17, 2023
Minnesota settles historic e-cigarette lawsuit with JUUL and Altria
Minnesota first state in nation to go to trial to hold JUUL and Altria accountable for deceptive e-cigarette marketing
April 17, 2023
Court of Appeals upholds Derek Chauvin’s convictions in murder of George Floyd
Decision shows ‘once again no one is above the law — and no one is beneath it’
April 6, 2023
Attorney General Ellison’s Office to prosecute murder of Zaria McKeever
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued the following statement upon accepting Governor Tim Walz’s referral under Minnesota law of the prosecution of the murder of Zaria McKeever.
March 31, 2023
AG Ellison: State, Minneapolis consent decree on policing is ‘historic’
Praises court-enforceable agreement ‘centered around transformational changes’ that makes ‘very significant steps to build community trust and make every Minneapolis resident and police officer safer’
March 28, 2023
‘Juul and Altria hooked Minnesota’s children on e-cigarettes — so they could make money’
Attorney General Ellison delivers first half of State’s opening statement as first trial against Juul and Altria begins in Minnesota
March 23, 2023
Attorney General’s Office secures conviction in Beltrami County murder case
Janelle Johnson found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in December 25, 2020 shooting death of brother-in-law Jesse Farris
March 23, 2023
Federal appeals court rules State’s climate-change deception lawsuit can proceed in state court
In decision today, 8th Circuit Court of Appeals rules against defendants, upholds U.S. District Court remand of lawsuit to state court where it was originally filed
March 16, 2023
Judge rules State’s case against Juul and Altria will proceed to trial on March 27
In order issued this week, Court rejected defendants’ latest efforts to dismiss State’s claims
March 13, 2023
Attorney General Ellison wins relief for tenants whose landlord allegedly unlawfully withheld amounts from security deposits
Housing Hub to pay $63,000, stop charging tenants for carpet cleaning, replacing batteries, lightbulbs, and filters at move out
March 7, 2023
Attorney General Ellison Launches Civil Investigation of Kia and Hyundai’s Sale of Vehicles that Lack Industry-Standard, Anti-Theft Technology
Drastic increase in Kia, Hyundai vehicle thefts posing an ongoing threat to public safety
March 2, 2023
Attorney General Ellison, Mayors Frey and Carter press Kia and Hyundai for safety recall
In a letter to CEOs, underscore need to recall and outfit vehicles with industry-standard anti-theft technology to improve public safety in light of rapidly rising tide of thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles
February 14, 2023
Attorney General Ellison shuts down fraudulent student-loan debt-settlement company
California-based company offering fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme will pay State $20K to refund Minnesota customers; marks 13th time AGO has shut down fraudulent student-loan debt-relief company in Minnesota
February 14, 2023
Attorney General Ellison names Jessica Whitney as Deputy Attorney General
Veteran of Iowa AG’s office brings proven experience in consumer protection, will start March 1
February 14, 2023
Attorney General’s Office secures conviction in Cottonwood County murder case
Jury finds Ralph Apmann guilty of second-degree unintentional murder in August 2021 death of Juan Morales Rivera in Windom
February 11, 2023
Attorney General’s Office to assist in review of death of Hardel Sherrell in Beltrami County jail
AG’s office agrees to assist Beltrami County Attorney in review, possible criminal charging in 2018 death of Mr. Sherrell in Beltrami County jail
February 9, 2023
Attorney General’s Office secures conviction in Cook County murder case
Thomas West convicted by jury of being accessory after the fact to 2021 murder of Ricky Balsimo, interference with dead body
February 6, 2023
Attorney General Ellison’s request for more criminal prosecutors to become law upon House passage
House passage comes after Senate passage last week — and after four years of requests by AG Ellison. Appropriation will more than triple capacity of AG’s Office to assist county attorneys in prosecuting serious violent crime and bringing justice to victims.
February 2, 2023
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office named Top Workplace USA for 2nd year in a row
After being named a Star Tribune Top Workplace for the second time, Attorney General’s Office once again named a Top Workplace USA
January 27, 2023
Attorney General Ellison obtains default judgment against pool contractor who defrauded Minnesota consumers
After AG sues in August 2022, court permanently bans Charles Workman and company from residential construction industry in Minnesota; orders $1.1M in refunds to victims and $1.1M civil penalty to State
January 17, 2023
Attorney General’s Office prevails in Otto Bremer Trust appeal
Minnesota Court of Appeals upholds district court’s decision to remove former trustee, affirms that he “continually breached his duties” and is “unfit to administer the Trust”
January 13, 2023
Conviction Review Unit Vacates First and Second-Degree Murder Sentence; Thomas Rhodes Released from Prison after nearly 25 years
Rhodes’ release marks the first person who will be freed from incarceration because of an investigation and case review by Minnesota’s Conviction Review Unit; Rhodes stands convicted of second-degree manslaughter
January 10, 2023
Attorney General Ellison sues nonprofit and its leaders for misusing funds and extensive governance violations; seeks to shut down nonprofit
State files lawsuit against ThinkTechAct Foundation and three of its leaders for running a sham nonprofit, misusing nonprofit funds obtained from the federal child nutrition program, and other charities violations
January 2, 2023
‘I will keep working to help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect’
Attorney General Ellison sworn in for 2nd term with ‘renewed vigor and commitment’
December 28, 2022
Attorney General’s Office charges Justin Stetson with 3rd-degree assault in beating of Jaleel Stallings
The office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today charged Justin Stetson with one count of assault in the third degree under Minnesota Statutes Sec. 609.223, subd. 1 for the May 30, 2020 beating of Jaleel Stallings in Minneapolis. Stetson was a Minneapolis police officer at the time. A copy of the complaint is attached
December 20, 2022
Attorney General Ellison signs onto $20B in new opioid settlements
New settlements with five major manufacturers and pharmacies may bring more than $235 million to Minnesota over 15 years for opioid epidemic treatment and prevention; also require document disclosure, industry changes to ensure crisis never happens again
December 19, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sets community meetings on proposed Fairview/Sanford merger
Four community meetings to be held in Saint Paul, Bemidji, Worthington, and Grand Rapids in January 2023; AG Ellison to listen to Minnesotans’ views on the proposed merger
December 13, 2022
CFPB to issue $95M in restitution to consumers harmed by fraudulent student-loan debt-relief companies
912 Minnesota consumers to receive more than $1 million in restitution in lawsuit Minnesota filed jointly with CFPB. Companies charged illegal up-front fees for filling out and submitting forms for repayment and consolidation programs, which eligible borrowers can apply for on their own for free.
December 13, 2022
Attorney General Ellison defends right to strike at U.S. Supreme Court
Joins coalition of 16 AGs in amicus brief in case that threatens workers’ rights and effectiveness of NLRB
December 1, 2022
Attorney General Ellison settles with CarMax over disclosure of safety recalls
Minnesota joins bipartisan coalition of 36 states and territories in resolving claims CarMax falsely advertised the safety of vehicles with open recalls
November 22, 2022
Attorney General Ellison announces public input on proposed merger of Fairview Health Services and Sanford Health
Dedicated web form and phone numbers now available for public input, with public meetings to be held in early 2023; data gathered will form part of AG’s investigation under state and federal law into impact of merger
November 17, 2022
Attorney General Ellison shuts down fraudulent student-loan debt-settlement company in Minnesota
California-based company pocketed exorbitant fees for fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme; will also pay State $50K to refund Minnesota customers
November 14, 2022
Attorney General Ellison reaches historic settlement with Google over location-tracking practices
Joins 40 AGs in bipartisan national settlement worth almost $400M; Minnesota’s share $8.25M
November 7, 2022
Minnesota joins $16M settlement over 2012 and 2015 Experian data breaches
Minnesota to receive $280K civil penalty; Experian to provide 5 years of free credit monitoring; Experian and T-Mobile to improve data-protection services
November 4, 2022
Attorney General Ellison applauds $15M grant to increase competition for meat and poultry processors, pledges vigilant antitrust enforcement
Part of first round of USDA grants and investments designed to increase competition, increase small and mid-size producer income, create economic opportunity, and lower consumers’ costs
November 4, 2022
Attorney General Ellison urges FDA approve country’s first over-the-counter birth-control pill
If approved, pill would be available for purchase without a prescription, removing barriers to accessing safe and timely reproductive care
October 27, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sues Shipt for misclassifying ‘Shoppers’ as independent contractors instead of employees
Alleges that Shipt ‘Shoppers’ are employees under Minnesota law and entitled to minimum wage, overtime, and other Minnesota employment protections
October 25, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sues subcontractor for obstructing wage investigation, intimidating workers
Alleges subcontractor threatened and discouraged workers from speaking with DLI and refused to provide DLI with the records it needs to determine whether the subcontractor violated Minnesota’s employment protections
October 24, 2022
J. Alexander Kueng pleads guilty to 2nd-degree manslaughter in death of George Floyd
Co-defendant Tou Thao agrees to bench trial on 2nd-degree manslaughter on stipulated evidence; waives right to jury trial, right to present and confront witnesses, and testify in in his own defense; court to reach verdict in Thao’s case
October 18, 2022
Attorney General Ellison leads bipartisan coalition to regulate abusive practices of pharmacy benefit managers
Leads bipartisan coalition of 35 AGs in amicus brief in support of Oklahoma’s laws, similar to Minnesota’s, regulating abusive behavior of PBMs
October 18, 2022
First payments from landmark opioid settlements start flowing to Minnesota communities
$6.6M sent to Minnesota yesterday as part of $66 million coming this year; State to receive more than $300 million to fight the opioid crisis, with 75 percent going directly to hard-hit communities
October 17, 2022
Enbridge admits it breached aquifer in Line 3 construction, will pay fine and perform environmental restoration
Attorney General Ellison files criminal charge for aquifer breach against Enbridge, along with diversion agreement contingent on Enbridge not breaking law again and fulfilling all terms of settlement; Clearwater County Attorney referred case to Attorney General for criminal prosecution
October 11, 2022
Attorney General Ellison puts nuisance properties on formal notice they may be sued
Along with Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis, provides notices to Merwin Liquors and Winner Gas Station in Minneapolis they are permitting or maintaining illegal public nuisances, may be sued in 30 days
October 7, 2022
Attorney General Ellison shuts down fraudulent student-loan debt-settlement company
California-based company offering fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme will pay State $15K to refund Minnesota consumers
October 5, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sues Fleet Farm for negligently selling firearms to straw purchasers
Alleges Fleet Farm stores aided and abetted straw purchasers, should not have sold guns given warning signs of gun trafficking
October 3, 2022
Attorney General Ellison secures guilty plea for son’s 2nd-degree murder of father
Hardy Wills-Traxler pleads guilty in Le Sueur County for 2021 stabbing death of his father — prison sentence of 25 ½ years expected
September 30, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sues pesticides manufacturers for increasing costs for farmers
Files federal lawsuit with FTC and bipartisan coalition of 10 AGs against Syngenta and Corteva for anticompetitive ‘loyalty programs’ that reduce competition, increase prices
September 30, 2022
Attorney General Ellison secures conviction for 2nd-degree murder of mother
Eric Reinbold convicted in Pennington County for stabbing wife to death after being released from federal prison on weapons charge; Reinhold evaded capture for 3 weeks
September 28, 2022
Attorney General Ellison applauds new federal funds to increase antitrust enforcement in agriculture
Announcement of $15M available for state AGs to partner with USDA on agriculture competition issues follows bipartisan letter to Sec. Vilsack AG Ellison led recommending funding and increased partnership with AGs
September 26, 2022
For two years, Attorney General Ellison’s office has held Feeding Our Future accountable
Federal investigation and indictments would not have happened without Attorney General’s involvement
September 23, 2022
Attorney General Ellison moves to protect interstate travel to seek abortion
Submits amicus brief with 22 AGs arguing Texas’ laws violate individuals’ constitutional right to interstate travel; follows commitment that no one traveling to Minnesota to seek or provide a legal abortion will be prosecuted
September 21, 2022
Attorney General Ellison protects more manufactured-housing residents
AG Ellison conducts another successful law-enforcement effort against management company that threatened mass evictions of residents against Minnesota law; company commits to comply with the law and retract eviction threats
September 20, 2022
AG Ellison: Civil investigation into Feeding Our Future continues after federal criminal indictment
Scope of fraud alleged in federal indictments ‘breathtaking and immoral’; pledges to ‘hold bad actors accountable, no matter who they are’
September 19, 2022
Attorney General Ellison secures conviction in attempted murder of police officer, bystanders
Devin Weiland convicted in Freeborn County for shooting Albert Lea police officer and two innocent bystanders in a November 2020 standoff during which he shot more than 80 rounds
September 15, 2022
Attorney General Ellison investigating unlawful and dangerous public nuisances
With assistance of Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, investigating whether Merwin Liquors and Winner Gas Station in Minneapolis are maintaining or permitting unlawful activity on their property
August 24, 2022
Attorney General Ellison shuts down mismanaged school-supply charity, secures permanent ban against president
Charity was victim of insider misuse and governance violations; tens of thousands of dollars misused
August 23, 2022
Attorney General Ellison issues consumer alert about crisis pregnancy centers
CPCs may provide misleading information about abortion and contraception, and often do not provide services they claim to offer; consumers encouraged to contact AG’s Office with concerns or complaints
August 22, 2022
Attorney General Ellison urges Supreme Court to protect Native American children and families
Joins bipartisan coalition of 24 AGs in effort to prevent displacement of Native American children from tribal communities
August 17, 2022
Attorney General Ellison fights Florida’s discriminatory voting law in court
Joins coalition supporting mail-in and drop-box voting, opposing Florida’s attempt to defend restrictive law that was already struck down in court
August 17, 2022
Attorney General Ellison reaches $450M nationwide agreement with opioid maker Endo
Settlement joined by 36 AGs comes as part of Endo bankruptcy proceedings; proposal would provide cash to address opioid crisis, ban promotion of Endo’s opioids, and require significant document disclosure
August 16, 2022
$26M in debt discharged for former ITT students as Biden Administration grants AG Ellison’s request
U.S. Dept. of Ed. action followed bipartisan application, investigation, years of advocacy by AG Ellison. Nationwide, $39B in debt cancelled for 208K borrowers of now-defunct school.
August 12, 2022
Attorney General Ellison helps save utility customers nearly $60M
After AG and partners intervene, PUC rules to disallow some natural gas costs utilities incurred during February 2021; rare for regulator not to allow utilities to pass entirety of gas costs onto customers
August 12, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sues pool contractor for defrauding Minnesota homeowners
Alleges pool contractor lied about his experience, availability, progress, and refunds in order to take tens of thousands of dollars from victims
August 8, 2022
Attorney General Ellison leads fight to increase transparency in poultry industry
Leads bipartisan coalition to support proposed USDA rule for increased transparency in the poultry processing; rule would make it easier for small farmers to compete for fair pricing terms from large processors
August 4, 2022
Attorney General Ellison challenges Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law in court
Joins 16 AGs in brief arguing that extreme, discriminatory law lacks legitimate educational purpose, would harm students, parents, and teachers
August 4, 2022
Attorney General Ellison fights to protect transgender students’ rights
Joins coalition of 22 AGs in amicus brief to protect Indiana transgender student against discrimination
August 2, 2022
Attorney General Ellison investigating companies responsible for foreign robocalls
Multistate investigation is first action of new nationwide, bipartisan Anti-Robocall Litigation Task Force
August 2, 2022
Attorney General Ellison calls for extension of student loan waiver for public servants, frontline workers
Joins 20 AGs in urging Biden Administration to provide more time and opportunity for borrowers to achieve loan forgiveness under Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
August 1, 2022
Attorney General Ellison halts deception in home security sales
Safe Haven to pay $125K, comply with the law
July 29, 2022
Attorney General Ellison, states reach tentative $2.37B agreement with major opioid manufacturer Allergan
Combined with Teva Pharmaceuticals deal announced earlier this week, settlement will bring tens of millions of dollars into Minnesota as opioid epidemic continues to be public-safety and public-health crisis
July 28, 2022
Attorney General Ellison proposes new path for regulating greenhouse gases after Supreme Court decision
Co-leads letter urging EPA use existing tool in Clean Air Act that would satisfy Supreme Court concerns in West Virginia v. EPA
July 28, 2022
Attorney General Ellison, co-defendants will not appeal Doe v. Minnesota
Attorney General must consider broad public interest in deciding whether to appeal; decision comes after three years of vigorous defense of laws in court at cost of more than $600K
July 27, 2022
Attorney General Ellison, states reach tentative $4.25B agreement with major opioid manufacturer Teva
Settlement in principle on financial terms will bring tens of millions of dollars into Minnesota as opioid epidemic continues to be public-safety and public-health crisis
July 27, 2022
Attorney General Ellison succeeds in protecting Northfield manufactured-housing residents
AG Ellison conducts successful law-enforcement effort against management company that imposed new leases and arbitrary, cruel new rules on residents against Minnesota law; company commits to update park rules in compliance with law and respond to residents’ concerns
July 27, 2022
Attorney General Ellison protects Minnesotans from unfair billing and collections with extension of Hospital Agreement
Attorney General’s Office secures 5-year extension to ensure valuable protections for Minnesota patients continue through 2027
July 11, 2022
Attorney General Ellison intervenes in court to regulate ghost guns
Joins coalition of 20 AGs to support new, commonsense federal regulation under attack by Texas gun-parts distributor
July 7, 2022
Attorney General Ellison: Federal prosecution of Derek Chauvin ‘appropriate and right’
‘Thoughts are with the victims’ as Chauvin sentenced to 245 months for depriving George Floyd and Jonathan Pope of their civil rights
July 7, 2022
Attorney General Ellison: ‘I support Dr. Alexander’s vision’ for Minneapolis policing, safety, and accountability
Reacts to nomination of first director of new Minneapolis Department of Public Safety
July 6, 2022
Attorney General Ellison: FDA ordering all JUUL products off the market ‘does not impede State’s litigation’
‘We continue to prepare for trial’ scheduled for March 2023
June 28, 2022
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office named a top workplace for second year in a row
Ranked #9 among midsize organizations, up from #51 in 2021; one of only 4 government entities to receive this honor
June 27, 2022
Attorney General Ellison joins AGs nationwide in reaffirming commitment to protecting abortion access
Despite U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs decision, joins national coalition of 22 attorneys general to emphasize that abortion remains safe and legal in Minnesota and states across the country
June 21, 2022
Attorney General Ellison: No one will be prosecuted in Minnesota for a legal abortion
Regardless of Supreme Court Dobbs decision expected to overturn Roe v. Wade, right to abortion is protected under Minnesota constitution: Ellison pledges to uphold it. AG also issues guidance to providers of abortion in Minnesota about their rights.
June 15, 2022
Attorney General Ellison urges FDA regulate non-tobacco nicotine products
Joins bipartisan coalition of AGs in highlighting dangers of unregulated nicotine products and appeal to youth; letter comes as JUUL lawsuit scheduled for trial in 2023
May 25, 2022
Attorney General Ellison: Two years later, Congress must pass George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
On second anniversary of Floyd’s death, states, ‘True public safety and true accountability are not mutually exclusive; in fact, they go hand in hand’
May 25, 2022
Attorney General Ellison attends ‘historic’ White House signing of executive order on policing and public safety
Invited to White House event with law enforcement leaders and attorneys general on second anniversary of George Floyd’s death; ‘President Biden is taking historic action… Congress is still failing to do its part’
May 24, 2022
Attorney General Ellison reaches $19.2M multistate settlement with Ford
Minnesota joins 40 other states and territories in resolving claims that Ford falsely advertised vehicles’ fuel economy and payload capacity; Ford to pay State $320K
May 18, 2022
‘Pleased Thomas Lane has accepted responsibility’: Attorney General Ellison statement on guilty plea in death of George Floyd
Say plea is ‘important step toward healing the wounds of the Floyd family, our community, and the nation’ and ‘a necessary resolution on the continued journey to justice’
May 18, 2022
Attorney General Ellison secures agreement to strengthen governance of charity serving Cameroonian community
Poor governance allowed charity’s community center to fall into disrepair
May 6, 2022
Attorney General Ellison hails ‘historic and momentous’ passage of opioids bill in Legislature
‘No amount of money can ever make up for the death and destruction the opioid companies caused,’ but overwhelming bipartisan support for the passage of the bill will allow $300M to begin to flow to Minnesota communities for treatment, remediation, and prevention
May 5, 2022
Attorney General Keith Ellison secures $1.8M for low-income Minnesotans deceived by TurboTax
Joins all 50 states in agreement with TurboTax owner Intuit for deceiving low-income Americans into paying for free tax services; as many as 60,000 Minnesotans to be refunded
May 4, 2022
Attorney General Ellison calls for full cancelation of federal student loan debt
Joins AG coalition urging President Biden to cancel all publicly held debts for student borrowers
April 29, 2022
Attorney General Ellison Hails Court’s Decision to Remove Otto Bremer Trustee as Victory
Ramsey County District Court orders removal of Otto Bremer Trustee Brian Lipschultz, terminates self-dealing investment fee, and sets process to appoint successor
April 26, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sues solar-panel sales companies, lenders for defrauding Minnesota homeowners
Alleges solar companies lied about their relationship with Minnesota utilities, misrepresented financial benefits of purchasing solar panels, and tricked consumers into signing binding sales contracts and loan agreements
April 12, 2022
Court grants Attorney General Ellison’s petition for court supervision of Feeding Our Future’s dissolution
Grants request for accountability and transparency during dissolution
April 6, 2022
AG Ellison: ‘Amir Locke was not a suspect, he was a victim’
Names curbing no-knock warrants, passing George Floyd Act, Minneapolis getting serious about ending police-involved deaths as steps to keeping deaths like Amir Locke’s from happening again
April 6, 2022
No charges to be filed in death of Amir Locke
Cite ‘ethical obligation as prosecutors to only bring criminal charges which are supported by sufficient admissible evidence to sustain a conviction.’ Call on policy makers to ‘seriously weigh the benefits of no-knock warrants, which are dangerous for both law enforcement and the public alike’
March 29, 2022
Attorney General Ellison joins bipartisan coalition urging TikTok and Snapchat to give parents more control
AG Ellison among 44 AGs asking platforms to give parents the ability to monitor children’s social media usage
March 28, 2022
Attorney General Ellison secures $120K repayment from fundraiser who did not properly spend funds raised in Philando Castile’s name
In settlement of AG’s June 2021 lawsuit, Pamela Fergus ordered to pay back all funds unaccounted for; permanently banned from managing charitable money
March 23, 2022
Minneapolis landlord ordered to reimburse State $1M in legal fees after violating tenants’ rights
Hennepin County court makes award after November 2021 ruling that Steven Meldahl engaged in ‘brazen and deplorable illegal business conduct,’ allowed tenants to live in infestations ‘of Biblical plague proportions’
March 17, 2022
Attorney General Ellison secures agreement to strengthen governance and oversight practices of Minnesota veterans charity
Charity was the victim of insider misuse and governance violations
March 8, 2022
On International Women’s Day, Attorney General Ellison’s task force releases report and recommendations for expanding women’s economic security
First-of-its-kind report builds on gains of 2014 Women’s Economic Security Act, identifies additional barriers to women’s equal participation in the economy, offers 115 short-, medium-, and long-term recommendations to advance women’s economic prosperity in Minnesota
March 3, 2022
Attorney General Ellison charges doctor with $1.6M in Medicaid fraud
Charged with 17 felony counts of theft by false representation
March 3, 2022
Attorney General Ellison discloses ongoing investigation into Feeding Our Future, seeks court control over nonprofit
Seeks court supervision over Feeding Our Future and its assets pending dissolution and AGO and federal criminal investigations
March 2, 2022
After T-Mobile data found on dark web, Attorney General Ellison urges Minnesotans to protect personal information from identity theft
Millions of personal records recently found for sale on dark web from August 2021 T-Mobile data breach that affected 670K Minnesotans, 53M Americans
March 2, 2022
Attorney General Ellison joins nationwide investigation into TikTok’s impact on young people
Bipartisan coalition of AGs concerned for safety and well-being of children
February 28, 2022
Attorney General Ellison leads multistate action that secures $2.1M in private debt relief for former Argosy University students
Entities controlling Argosy student debt agree to cancel private debt across 12 campuses nationwide; includes $135K in relief for former students of Eagan campus, bars further collection and negative credit reporting. Also resubmits bipartisan request for federal student debt relief for Argosy students
February 25, 2022
$26B settlement with opioid distributors, Johnson & Johnson wins final approval
Minnesota to receive $303 million over 18 years to fight the opioid crisis; amounts local governments to receive released. Commitment follows historic December agreement between State and cities and counties on allocation and use of funds; money to flow as soon as second quarter if legislative changes made
February 24, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sues to block UnitedHealth Group proposed acquisition of Change Healthcare
Joins USDOJ, State of New York to sue UnitedHealth Group and Change Healthcare after investigation found merger would increase healthcare costs
February 24, 2022
Attorney General Ellison: ‘Verdict honors Floyd’s memory’
Reacts to verdict in federal civil-rights trial of former officers Kueng, Lane, and Thao in death of George Floyd: verdict vindicates ‘principle that officers have a duty and a responsibility to intervene and render medical care’
February 18, 2022
Attorney General Ellison: ‘The work of justice continues’
Sentencing of Kimberly Potter ‘takes nothing away from the truth of the jury’s verdict.’ Justice is ‘accountability, compassion, mercy, and healing’
February 10, 2022
Attorney General Ellison sues HavenBrook Homes, one of the largest landlords in Minnesota, for failing to repair rental homes, violating law
Lawsuit alleges hedge fund-owned mega-landlord failed to repair and maintain rental homes that lacked heat, had backed-up sewers, doors and windows that would not close, mold, even wild animals — and when it did, violated Minnesota’s lead-paint rules
February 4, 2022
‘Amir Locke’s life mattered… I promise to conduct a fair and thorough review guided by accountability and transparency’
Attorney General Keith Ellison statement on death of Amir Locke
February 3, 2022
Attorney General Ellison obtains refunds for Greater Minnesota tenants illegally charged fees
New unit in AGO reaches settlement that requires landlord Suite Liv’n to refund 877 tenant households in Marshall, Willmar, New London, and Spicer a utility surcharge the company imposed on its tenants in violation of Minnesota’s utility billing law
February 2, 2022
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office named Top Workplace USA
After being named a Star Tribune Top Workplace for the first time ever, Attorney General’s Office now named a Top Workplace USA
January 19 2022
Attorney General Ellison files lawsuit against COVID-19 testing sites, lab for deceiving consumers
Attorney General alleges Center for COVID Control never sent test results, sent results far later than advertised, or sent false or inaccurate results to consumers
January 18 2022
AG Ellison’s office obtains guilty plea in $860K Medicaid fraud case
Ringleader Trenea Davis pleads guilty to 5 charges in case AG filed in January 2021
January 13 2022
Attorney General Ellison Announces $1.85 Billion Settlement with Student Loan Servicer Navient
Settlement includes Significant Changes to Servicing and Lending Practices; $1.7 billion in debt cancellation and $95 million in restitution nationwide; and Additional Monetary Payments
January 6, 2022
Attorney General Ellison urges Supreme Court to protect employees and consumers from corporate gamesmanship in pending arbitration cases
Leads a bipartisan amicus brief asking the Court to ensure that companies cannot seek two bites at the apple by strategically defending cases in court for months, and then seeking to compel arbitration if their court strategy is unsuccessful
January 5, 2022
Attorney General Ellison tests positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms thanks to vaccination and booster
Isolating in place out of the country until safe to travel home, conducting business as usual
January 3, 2022
Attorney General Ellison welcomes Biden Administration plan to strengthen competition in meatpacking
Plan today comes in wake of bipartisan letter AG Ellison led to USDA Sec. Vilsack, asking for greater enforcement to ensure fairness and integrity for Minnesota farmers, ranchers, and consumers
December 23, 2021
AG Ellison: Conviction of Kimberly Potter provides ‘measure of accountability’ on ‘long road to justice for all’
Holds law enforcement ‘in high regard and to high standards’; holding Potter accountable ‘doesn’t diminish you’; All of us will miss out on who Daunte could have been…there will be an empty chair at the Wright family dinner table during the holidays’
December 22, 2021
Attorney General Ellison prevails at Supreme Court in effort to investigate wage theft allegations against downtown Saint Paul’s largest landowner
Madison Equities workers have alleged widespread and purposeful evasion of state and federal overtime laws by company and its subsidiaries. Ruling underscores AG’s broad authority to investigate violations of state law in business, commerce, and trade
December 15, 2021
AG Ellison: Derek Chauvin’s ‘important and historic’ guilty plea ‘another moment of accountability and another step on the road to justice’
AG Ellison issues statement upon Chauvin’s admission he deprived George Floyd and a juvenile of their civil rights
December 6, 2021
State, cities, counties reach historic agreement on allocating opioid settlement funds
AG Ellison, Gov. Walz, and partners announce historic agreement to allocate settlement dollars from opioid companies: 75 percent to counties and cities, 25 percent to State
November 19, 2021
Attorney General Ellison resolves two more pandemic-related lawsuits
Shady’s to pay $30K for threatening to violate EO 20-56; Boardwalk pays $25K for violating EO 20-99, serves 30-day license suspension
November 19, 2021
Attorney General Ellison supports preserving, strengthening DACA
Joins national coalition urging action to protect DACA benefits for 6,500 Minnesotans and extend them to 5,000 more
November 18, 2021
Attorney General Ellison joins nationwide investigation into Instagram’s impact on young people
Broad group of attorneys general concerned for safety and well-being of children; examining potential violations of consumer-protection laws
November 16, 2021
Attorney General Ellison secures victory against Minneapolis landlord’s ‘brazen and deplorable’ illegal practices
Court orders Steven Meldahl to permanently stop deceiving tenants about lease terms, pay $133K fine and attorneys’ fees
October 25, 2021
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement in price-gouging lawsuit against Sparboe Farms
Minnesota company agrees to donate more than 1M eggs to Minnesota nonprofits to feed hungry Minnesotans
October 19, 2021
Attorney General Ellison urges Supreme Court to halt unconstitutional Texas abortion ban
Joins multistate amicus brief asking Court to vacate Fifth Circuit’s stay of order blocking enforcement of S.B. 8
September 30, 2021
Starting today, former MSB/Globe students to finally receive nearly $24M in debt forgiveness, $16M in restitution for fraud, illegal lending
Restitution checks to be issued starting today; now-final deal brings relief to 920 students hurt by fraud and more than 3,000 harmed by illegal lending at now-shuttered schools. Hotly contested case ends with final approval of bankruptcy court; resolves lawsuit AG’s office first brought in 2014.
September 23, 2021
Attorney General Ellison obtains guilty plea for over $1 million in Medicaid fraud
Jonathan Newcomb and one other plead guilty; defrauding Medicaid program over $1 million by overbilling therapy services, aiding and abetting interpreters and transportation providers committing fraud, and billing for illegitimate services
September 23, 2021
Attorney General Ellison secures $66,000 to benefit foster children and a permanent charitable-sector ban against directors of Minnesota nonprofit A Place to Call Home
Settlements require Genevieve LaVoi to repay $66,000 in charitable assets she misused from foster care support charity A Place to Call Home, permanently ban LaVoi and former directors from operating a charity in Minnesota
September 20, 2021
Attorney General Ellison fights Mississippi’s attempt to overturn parts of Roe v. Wade at Supreme Court
Joins coalition of 24 AGs in amicus brief to Court, which will hear oral argument on December 1
September 16, 2021
Attorney General Ellison announces nearly $2M settlement with StubHub
Stubhub, Inc. agrees to honor its refund policies, will pay $1.87M in refunds to Minnesotans whose events were cancelled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
September 15, 2021
Attorney General Ellison files support of DOJ’S lawsuit against Texas abortion ban
Joins coalition of 24 AGs in amicus brief rejecting Texas law banning abortions after six weeks
September 9, 2021
Attorney General Ellison wins $954,966 judgment and permanent ban against company Contributing 2 Combatants and its owner for bilking charitable donations intended for the military
State’s lawsuit alleged that Jacob Choinski used his for-profit company, Contributing 2 Combatants, to solicit donations from Minnesotans door to door while posing as a charity and kept the donations to line his own pockets.
September 2, 2021
Attorney General Ellison adds 1st-degree manslaughter charge against Kimberly Potter in death of Daunte Wright
New charge added to original charge of 2nd-degree manslaughter in April 11 death in Brooklyn Park
September 2, 2021
Attorney General Ellison restructures charity and replaces its leadership following more than $2 million in self-dealing transactions
Settlement overhauls the nonprofit’s governance after it funneled contributions to insider-owned businesses and amassed $700k in debts to its founder
August 27, 2021
Attorney General Ellison sues manufactured home park owner in Marshall for neglecting park and charging illegal fees to residents
Schierholz’s failure to maintain Broadmoor Valley manufactured home park has led to unsafe, unhealthy, and undignified living conditions for residents
August 18, 2021
Attorney General Ellison holds wedding dress shops accountable for breaking promises to Minnesota brides
Hopkins wedding dress shops delivered wedding gowns late, sometimes within days of a wedding; will pay restitution for brides who suffered damages and change business practices to ensure future deliveries.
August 16, 2021
Attorney General Ellison opposes Georgia’s discriminatory voting law in court
Joins coalition of 22 AGs in pushing back on efforts to dismiss Biden Administration lawsuit against Georgia’s law; calls for lawsuit to move forward
August 10, 2021
Attorney General’s office obtains guilty plea for $4M in Medicaid fraud
Victor Clement, excluded from serving as provider for past fraud, hid behind shell companies to keep defrauding taxpayers; plea resolves case charged by Attorney General’s office in 2018
August 6, 2021
Attorney General Ellison recovers back pay and overtime owed restaurant workers
The Bartmann Companies pays employees more than $230K for back wages, overtime wages, and damages
August 3, 2021
First-ever Conviction Review Unit begins accepting applications
AG Ellison also announces hiring of CRU director
July 21, 2021
Attorney General Ellison, states reach $26B agreement with major opioid manufacturer, distributors
Agreement to potentially bring more than $300M to Minnesota over 18 years for opioid epidemic treatment and prevention; also requires data transparency, industry changes to ensure crisis never happens again
July 8, 2021
AG Ellison announces resolution with Purdue Pharma and Sackler family for their role in the opioid crisis
Resolution secures unprecedented public disclosure of more than 30 million documents, $4.3B from Sacklers; Minnesota’s share to exceed $50M over 9 years for prevention, treatment, and recovery
July 7, 2021
AG Ellison recommends PUC block gas companies from charging consumers $380M in winter-storm costs
AG investigation uncovered utilities could have reduced gas purchases during Winter Storm Uri price spike but failed to do so; instead conducted business as usual as if there were no emergency
July 7, 2021
AG Ellison sues Google for antitrust violations over app store
Joins bipartisan coalition of 37 AGs in alleging Google illegally maintains app store monopoly, unfairly edges out competition
July 1, 2021
Attorney General Ellison leads bipartisan coalition in support of regulating pharmacy benefit managers
Leads 34 AGs in amicus brief in support of North Dakota laws, similar to Minnesota’s, regulating abusive behavior of PBMs
July 1, 2021
Attorney General’s budget ‘a win for Minnesota families and consumers’
AG Ellison praises 17 percent increase to base budget of Attorney General’s Office, including more resources to fight wage theft and antitrust behavior. Highlights Senate’s failure to fund much-needed criminal prosecutors to help fight violent crime in Greater Minnesota; AG ‘baffled why the Senate refuses to help us help prosecutors in Greater Minnesota make their communities safer’
June 30, 2021
Attorney General Ellison recovers wages owed to low-wage home health and nanny employees
Loving Care Home Services will pay 60 employees $39K in back wages and damages to resolve AG investigation
June 25, 2021
‘We must end the cycle of inaction and act for accountability and justice’
‘I hope this moment allows us to rededicate ourselves to change’: AG Ellison statement on sentencing of Derek Chauvin to term of 22.5 years for murder of George Floyd
June 17, 2021
Minnesota Attorney General’s Office Named a Top Workplace
For the first time ever, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office has been named a Top Workplace by the Star Tribune
June 11, 2021
Attorney General settlement leads to further relief for Hutchinson Hospital patients
Following settlement with AG’s Office, Hutchinson Hospital forgives $184K in patient debt, offers 40% discount for certain patients with outstanding bills
June 11, 2021
AG Ellison supports CDC pandemic eviction ban at Supreme Court
Coalition of 23 AGs argue millions of evictions during ongoing pandemic would increase spread of COVID-19, threaten pandemic economic recovery
June 3, 2021
Attorney General Ellison files enforcement action against fundraiser who did not properly spend money raised in Philando Castile’s name
Pamela Fergus raised $200K to relieve student lunch debt in Saint Paul schools, can only account for properly spending $80K AG’s office strongly encourages organizations raising funds by any means for any cause, including social justice, to know and comply with all fundraising rules.
May 25, 2021
‘We can break this cycle. The moment for making meaningful change is now.’
‘The other side of this mountain is better — not just for African Americans, but for everyone’: AG Ellison statement on one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd
May 21, 2021
Attorney General Ellison’s office to lead prosecution in death of Daunte Wright
AG Ellison accepts request from Hennepin County Attorney Freeman after Washington County Attorney Orput returns the case
May 19, 2021
Attorney General Ellison wins relief for tenants whose landlord falsely claimed she needed to move in in order to kick the tenants out
Landlord to pay former tenants $3.5K, comply with executive orders protecting tenant rights in resolution of enforcement action for violating Executive Order 20-79
May 12, 2021
Attorney General Ellison’s office wins big conviction for Medicaid fraud
Remona Brown convicted on 14 counts of aiding and abetting theft by false representation; operated home care nursing agency that defrauded Medicaid of more than $1.8 million
May 7, 2021
‘Federal prosecution for the violation of George Floyd’s civil rights is entirely appropriate’
AG Ellison issues statement upon federal indictment of defendants Chauvin, Kueng, Lane, and Thao for allegedly violating civil rights of George Floyd
April 20, 2021
Attorney General Ellison resolves lawsuit with bar and restaurant that violated executive orders
St. Patrick’s Tavern & Restaurant will pay State $15,000, fully comply with executive orders
April 20, 2021
"Accountability...is the first step to justice"
Attorney General Ellison’s remarks after the verdict in State v. Derek Chauvin, as prepared for delivery
April 19, 2021
Walter Mondale was ‘the original People’s Lawyer’
AG Ellison statement on the passing of Vice President Walter Mondale
April 13, 2021
Attorney General Ellison shuts down fraudulent student-loan debt-settlement company in Minnesota
California-based company offering fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme will pay State more than $18K to refund Minnesota customers
April 2, 2021
Attorney General Ellison holds assisted-living facility accountable for breaking promise to residents
Edina assisted-living facility advertised monthly “Wellness Visits” that it didn’t provide; will pay $10K penalty and resumes providing services
April 1, 2021
Attorney General Ellison continues defense of student-loan borrowers
Seeks loan cancellation and payment refunds for defrauded ITT students; calls on U.S. Sec. of Education to address broader student-debt crisis
April 1, 2021
Attorney General Ellison fights sales of fake vaccination cards
Joins bipartisan group of 45 AGs in asking Twitter, eBay, Shopify to act immediately to stop sales of fraudulent CDC vaccination cards
March 31, 2021
Attorney General Ellison: ‘Climate damage and deception lawsuit filed in state court belongs in state court’
Hails federal court decision to send lawsuit against ExxonMobil and others back to state court; court calls State’s suit a ‘well-pleaded consumer protection action’ and defendants’ attacks ‘a caricature’
March 25, 2021
Attorney General Ellison sues company for posing as charity helping servicemembers, funneling donations to owner
Alleges Jacob Choinski used Contributing 2 Combatants to solicit donations from Minnesotans door to door while posing as a charity — and kept every dollar to line his own pockets
March 24, 2021
AG Ellison applauds end of lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s food-assistance cuts; urges Congress to expand the program
Biden Administration agrees to dismiss appeal of decision that Trump SNAP rule was arbitrary, poorly reasoned, and contrary to Congress’s intent
March 23, 2021
Attorney General Ellison announces nearly $190 million multistate settlement with Boston Scientific
Holds Boston Scientific accountable for misrepresenting risks of its surgical mesh devices, in second settlement of its kind; company to pay Minnesota more than $3.3 million, agrees to significant reforms
March 22, 2021
AG Ellison: ‘Long past time to protect Minnesotans from emergency profiteering’
Applauds House passage of HF844 banning price-gouging in emergencies, urges passage in Senate; bill gives enforcement authority to Attorney General’s Office
March 19, 2021
AG Ellison: ‘State has been and is ready to proceed to trial on schedule’
Twelve jurors selected week ahead of schedule, all screened for impartiality; State looks forward to presenting case ‘to a fair and impartial jury in Hennepin County’
March 18, 2021
Attorney General Keith Ellison joins nationwide task force on pharmaceutical mergers
Lowering cost of prescription drugs and ensuring fair marketplace among AG Ellison’s top priorities; new task force meets recommendation of AG’s report on report on drug prices
March 17, 2021
Attorney General Ellison enforcement of Tobacco Settlement wins $81 million for State
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and ITG Brands to pay $81 million in back settlement payments; State to collect $10 million or more annually in future payments
March 16, 2021
Attorney General Ellison ‘disappointed’ in Purdue bankruptcy plan
“I am disappointed in this plan. While it contains improvements over the proposal that Purdue announced and we rejected in September 2019, it falls short of the accountability that families and survivors deserve.”
March 16, 2021
Attorney General Ellison wins full financial relief for former MSB/Globe University students as part of tentative deal reached with schools’ owners and Department of Education
$23.1 million in debt to be forgiven for 920 students, $15.6 million in additional compensation to be paid for students defrauded by schools’ ‘criminal justice’ program
March 12, 2021
‘Turn of the dial is good news, but we cannot let our guard down’: AG Ellison on new executive order
March 11, 2021
Court reinstates 3rd-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin
Comes in wake of March 5 Court of Appeals ruling and Supreme Court denial yesterday of Chauvin’s petition to review Court of Appeals ruling
March 11, 2021
Attorney General Keith Ellison announces multistate settlement with American Medical Collection Agency over 2019 data breach
March 10, 2021
Attorney General Ellison resolves lawsuit with Hookah Bar that violated executive orders
The Hookah Hideout will pay State $4,000, fully comply with executive orders
March 8, 2021
Attorney General Ellison settles with gym that violated executive orders
Plainview Wellness Center will pay State $5,000, fully comply with executive orders
March 8, 2021
State files motion to ensure district court has jurisdiction to hear Derek Chauvin’s trial
Comes in wake of district court’s intention to move forward with jury selection despite Chauvin’s decision to appeal ruling from last Friday
March 5, 2021
AG Ellison: 3rd-degree murder charge ‘reflects the gravity of the allegations’ against Chauvin
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued the following statement in response to today’s Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling that the district court erred in not granting the State’s motion to reinstate the charge of 3rd-degree murder against Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd
February 25, 2021
Pohlad Family Foundation to fund recommendations for reducing police-involved deadly-force encounters
One year after release of recommendations, working group co-led by AG and DPS commissioner meets again to review progress, investments
February 19, 2021
Attorney General Ellison calls for cancellation of federal student-loan debt
Joins multistate coalition in support of congressional resolutions calling for the cancellation of up to $50K in debt per student borrower - 775K Minnesotans carrying average $37.5K in student-loan debt; Minnesota graduates’ average debt load 11th-highest in country
February 17, 2021
Attorney General Ellison sues another landlord for illegally forcing tenant to vacate during COVID-19 pandemic
Files enforcement action against Dakota County landlord who forced her tenants out of their home so that she could sell it, in violation of Executive Order 20-79
February 4, 2021
Attorney General Ellison joins $573M multistate settlement with McKinsey & Company
Resolves claims against consulting firm for its role in ‘turbocharging’ opioid epidemic with Purdue Pharma; Minnesota to receive $8M for abatement in first opioid settlement to result in substantial payment; McKinsey also required to make documents public
January 29, 2021
Attorney General Ellison co-leads bipartisan coalition fighting for homeowners
33 AGs join to oppose settlement that is clear windfall to mortgage servicer; affects more than 17,000 Minnesota homeowners
January 29, 2021
State of Minnesota enforcement authority and penalties for violations of Executive Orders: January 29, 2021 Update
January 28, 2021
Court orders issues $9K fine against The Interchange in Albert Lea
Court also issues temporary injunction that requires The Interchange to fully comply with executive orders for the duration of the State’s lawsuit
January 27, 2021
Attorney General Ellison charges eight in Medicaid fraud scheme
Files 46 felony theft charges totaling $860K in fraud
January 26, 2021
Attorney General Ellison selects advocates, researchers, legislators to serve on Women’s Economic Security Task Force
Names Lt. Gov. Flanagan and others as ad hoc members
January 22, 2021
State settles with restaurants that violated executive orders
Cork in Anoka will fully comply with executive orders, agrees to 15-day liquor license suspension; Neighbors on the Rum in Princeton also to fully comply with executive orders
January 22, 2021
State of Minnesota enforcement authority and penalties for violations of Executive Orders: January 22, 2021 Update
January 21, 2021
Attorney General Ellison announces Conviction Review Unit Advisory Board
16 members include former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice, national criminal-justice experts, Hennepin and Ramsey County Attorneys, community activists
January 20, 2021
Attorney General Ellison: ‘Competent, compassionate, moral people are now leading our country’ on ‘a new day’
Country now has ‘opportunities to move forward now in brand-new ways’ on climate change, immigration, healthcare, racial and economic justice. ‘Minnesotans now have partners in the White House who support and protect them’ in affording their lives, living with dignity and respect.
January 15, 2021
Attorney General Ellison secures full refunds for Minnesota students and families harmed by canceled trips
Voyageurs International will pay 344 Minnesota high school students and their families $665,000 to reimburse for questionable “cancellation fees”
January 14, 2021
Attorney General Ellison shuts down fraudulent student-loan debt-settlement company in Minnesota
California-based company offering fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme will pay State over $11K to refund Minnesota customers
January 12, 2021
Attorney General Ellison bans alleged sham veterans’ charity from soliciting in Minnesota
Settlement requires defendants Healing Heroes Network and Hero Giveaways to permanently cease all charitable solicitations; requires individual defendants to pay $95K to be donated to veterans’ charity
January 12, 2021
Monticello restaurant to give up profits, fully comply with executive orders in settlement with Attorney General’s office
Cornerstone Café will pay State $10,000, giving up the profits it earned while operating in violation of executive orders
January 8, 2021
Court finds Albert Lea establishment in contempt, imposes $3K/day fine
Finds The Interchange violated the Court’s temporary restraining order by offering indoor, on-premises dining to the public; will issue written order later
January 8, 2021
State of Minnesota enforcement authority and penalties for violations of Executive Orders: January 8, 2021 Update
January 7, 2021
Court finds Alibi Drinkery in contempt, imposes $3K/day fine
Finds Alibi ‘intentionally and purposefully is violating’ temporary injunction, ‘willfully disobeyed’ and ‘is flagrantly in violation’ of court’s orders. Court: ‘Health and welfare of the public are at risk and are being irreparably harmed’ by Alibi’s behavior
January 5, 2021
Attorney General Ellison sues to block Trump Administration’s attempts to shield predatory lenders from state usury laws
AG Ellison co-led opposition to new banking rule that would preclude states from holding lenders accountable when they make loans at exorbitant interest rates through “rent-a-bank” schemes; now brings suit to prevent rule’s implementation
December 31, 2020
State of Minnesota enforcement authority and penalties for violations of executive orders: December 31, 2020 update
December 31, 2020
Court orders Winnebago Event Center not to hold ‘New Years Eve Bash,’ comply with executive orders
Attorney General’s office wins temporary restraining order against Carlson Event Center; establishment must now comply with order or risk being found in contempt of court
December 31, 2020
Attorney General asks court to find Lakeville establishment in contempt
Alibi Drinkery operating indoor, on-premises dining in defiance of temporary injunction issued earlier today; court sets hearing for January 5
December 31, 2020
Court orders Lakeville establishment to comply with executive order requiring temporary closure for indoor on-premises dining
Court: Alibi’s actions ‘are both against the law and harmful…directly promoting the spread of Covid-19’; finds Alibi’s arguments ‘without merit and devoid of factual or legal support’
December 30, 2020
Attorney General’s office files new enforcement action against event center set on hosting New Year’s Eve party
Carlson Event Center in Winnebago threatens to put community at risk by violating ban on indoor events and entertainment intended to slow the spread of COVID-19
December 29, 2020
Attorney General Ellison joins the fight against youth suicide
Joins 39 attorneys general across the nation working with The Jason Foundation, Inc. to address the public-health issue of youth and young adult suicide
December 28, 2020
Court orders Clarks Grove restaurant to halt indoor on-premises dining, comply with executive orders
Attorney General’s office wins temporary restraining order against Pour House; establishment must now comply or risk being found in contempt of court
December 23, 2020
Courts order Albert Lea, New Prague establishments to halt indoor on-premises dining, comply with executive orders
Courts grant Attorney General’s motions for temporary restraining orders; The Interchange Wine & Coffee Bistro and St. Patrick’s Tavern and Restaurant must now comply or risk being found in contempt of court
December 23, 2020
State of Minnesota enforcement authority and penalties for violations of executive orders: December 23, 2020 update
December 22, 2020
Attorney General’s office files for temporary restraining orders against three restaurants illegally operating on-premises dining
TRO motions are next step in lawsuits against St. Patrick’s in New Prague, Pour House in Clarks Grove, and The Interchange in Albert Lea filed Monday
December 22, 2020
Court orders Monticello restaurant to halt indoor on-premises dining, comply with executive orders
Attorney General’s office wins temporary restraining order against Cornerstone Café; establishment must now comply or risk being found in contempt of court
December 22, 2020
Court orders E. Grand Forks establishment to comply with executive order requiring temporary closure for indoor on-premises dining
Court also orders Boardwalk Bar and Grill to fully comply with all subsequent applicable executive orders for the duration of State’s lawsuit; rules Governor Walz acted within his authority
December 21, 2020
Attorney General’s office files for temporary restraining orders against Monticello, Anoka restaurants illegally operating on-premises dining
TRO motion is next step in lawsuits against Cornerstone Cafe in Monticello and Cork in Anoka filed last Friday
December 21, 2020
Attorney General’s office files three new enforcement actions against restaurants operating indoor on-premises dining illegally
St. Patrick’s Tavern in New Prague, Pour House in Clarks Grove, and The Interchange in Albert Lea put community at risk by violating ban on indoor on-premises dining intended to slow the spread of COVID-19
December 18, 2020
State of Minnesota enforcement authority and penalties for violations of executive orders: December 18, 2020 update
December 18, 2020
Attorney General’s office files new enforcement actions against Monticello and Anoka restaurants illegally operating on-premises dining
Cork in Anoka and Cornerstone Cafe in Monticello put community at risk by violating ban on on-premises dining intended to slow the spread of COVID-19
December 18, 2020
Court orders Lakeville restaurant to close for on-premises dining
Must close or risk being found in contempt of court; hearing scheduled for December 22
December 17, 2020
Attorney General’s office files for temporary restraining order against Lakeville restaurant illegally operating on-premises dining
TRO motion is next step in lawsuit against Alibi Drinkery filed earlier today. Neighbors on the Rum in Princeton voluntarily closed for on-premises dining, now complying with executive order after lawsuit filed today
December 17, 2020
Attorney General’s office files enforcement actions against Lakeville and Princeton restaurants illegally operating on-premises dining
Alibi Drinkery in Lakeville and Neighbors on the Rum in Princeton put community at risk by violating ban on on-premises dining intended to slow the spread of COVID-19
December 17, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues to end Google’s illegal monopoly in internet search
Joins bipartisan coalition of 38 attorneys general alleging Google illegally maintained a monopoly, created insurmountable barriers to entry for competitors
December 16, 2020
State of Minnesota Executive Order Enforcement Tools
December 16, 2020
Attorney General’s office to hold accountable establishments openly violating Executive Order 20-99
December 11, 2020
Court orders E. Grand Forks establishment operating in violation of Executive Order 20-99 to close
December 11, 2020
Attorney General Ellison acts again to enforce Executive Order 20-99
Files lawsuit and motion for temporary restraining order against non-compliant East Grand Forks bar and restaurant that opened to the public and refused to close, putting community at risk
December 10, 2020
AG Ellison opposes Texas AG’s baseless effort to invalidate clear will of American voters
Joins coalition of 23 AGs at Supreme Court to defend will of Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; urges court reject Texas AG’s suit, which lacks legal foundation, offers zero evidence of systemic voter fraud
December 10, 2020
State adds tobacco giant Altria as defendant in JUUL lawsuit for deceptive marketing targeting youth
Amends complaint to allege Altria, like JUUL, violated state consumer-protection laws, breached duty of reasonable care, created public nuisance. Minnesota only second state to name Altria as defendant in lawsuit against JUUL.
December 9, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues to end Facebook’s illegal monopoly
Joins bipartisan coalition of 48 AGs in charging anticompetitive conduct — Facebook thwarted competition, reduced consumer privacy in pursuit of profits
December 4, 2020
Attorney General, Washington County Attorney to review police-involved shooting
Ramsey County Attorney refers November 28 Saint Paul police shooting; review of incident to begin after BCA completes investigation
December 2, 2020
Court closes gym that put community at risk by staying open in violation of executive order
Wabasha County court grants Attorney General Ellison’s motion for temporary injunction; gym to temporarily close as required by Executive Order 20-99
November 25, 2020
Attorney General Ellison acts to enforce Executive Order 20-99
Files lawsuit and restraining order against non-compliant Wabasha County fitness center that has remained open to the public and refused to close, putting community at risk
November 19, 2020
Attorney General Ellison forms Task Force on Expanding Economic Security of Women
Solicits applications through Open Appointments process by early January
November 18, 2020
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement with Apple over iPhone throttling
Apple to pay Minnesota $2M as part of multistate consumer-fraud investigation by more than 30 AGs
November 13, 2020
AG Ellison leads call to AG Barr to reverse new policy that ‘will erode the public’s confidence in the election’
Co-leads letter of 23 AGs in voicing ‘strong objection’ to abrupt policy change that allows U.S. attorneys to pursue allegations of voter fraud without adhering to long-established guardrails
November 5, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Ruling to keep George Floyd trial in Minneapolis is ‘another significant step forward in the pursuit of justice’
Court also grants State’s motion to hold one trial for all four defendants, rather than separate trials
October 29, 2020
Attorney General Ellison secures relief from unfair bill collection for Hutchinson Hospital patients
After unilaterally increasing patients’ monthly medical bills, Hutchinson Hospital will restore lowest available monthly payments and refrain from future misconduct, in accordance with law and Hospital Agreement
October 27, 2020
Know your rights to vote safely and without intimidation
One week from November 3 elections, Attorney General Ellison releases guidance for voters about federal and state laws that protect them from interference or intimidation
October 23, 2020
Attorney General Ellison wins assurance Atlas Aegis will not recruit or provide private security for Minnesota elections
Tennessee-based company admits statements it was recruiting private security for polling places are incorrect; agrees not to provide any security services in Minnesota around November 3 election
October 22, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Ruling in Floyd case ‘important, positive step forward in the path toward justice’
Court sustains eight of out nine total charges against defendants in murder of George Floyd
October 20, 2020
Attorney General Ellison, coalition win halt to Trump Administration cuts to food assistance for 8,000 Minnesotans
Federal judge ruled USDA’s ‘arbitrary and capricious’ food stamp rule change defied rulemaking procedure and congressional intent
October 20, 2020
Attorney General Ellison investigating company reportedly recruiting private election security
Ellison: ‘Minnesotans have every reason to expect our elections will be as safe and secure as they have always been’
October 20, 2020
With two weeks before Election Day, Governor Walz, Attorney General Ellison encourage Minnesotans to participate in democracy safely
Highlight efforts to ensure safe campaign events amid COVID-19 pandemic
October 12, 2020
Attorney General Ellison announces settlement with opioid manufacturer Mallinckrodt
Settlement with 50 states and territories, local subdivisions to include $1.6B in cash, end to marketing of opioids, and public disclosure of documents
October 9, 2020
Attorney General Ellison secures relief for student-loan borrowers hurt by misconduct
Former Minnesota ITT students to receive $1.6M in loan relief; California student-debt company to pay to fully refund Minnesota consumers for illegal fees
October 8, 2020
Minnesota awarded federal grant to review legal cases for people believed to be innocent
Attorney General’s Office to partner with Innocence Project of Minnesota on state’s first-ever Conviction Review Unit
October 1, 2020
AG Ellison, partners launch HelpSealMyRecord.org to increase access to expungements
Prosecutors to actively assist Minnesotans statewide in obtaining expungements at no cost — will create more access to good jobs, education, housing
September 25, 2020
Attorney General Ellison announces $60M multistate settlement with C.R. Bard
Minnesota joins group of 48 states in holding C.R. Bard accountable for misrepresenting the risks of its surgical mesh products; C.R. Bard to pay Minnesota over $1 million
September 24, 2020
AG Ellison lends support in court to states’ authority to regulate price-gouging
Joins bipartisan coalition of 30 AGs in amicus brief arguing states’ price-gouging laws are necessary to protect vulnerable residents during emergencies
September 21, 2020
Attorney General Ellison secures repayment, permanent charitable-sector ban against former Journey Home Minnesota president
Settlement requires Blake Huffman to repay $60K in charitable assets he misused from veterans-housing charity Journey Home Minnesota, permanently bans Huffman from operating a charity in Minnesota
September 16, 2020
Attorney General Ellison shuts down alleged sham charity fundraiser that bilked millions from consumers
Joins FTC, three other states in settlements that permanently prohibit defendants from charity fundraising business, require them to pay back nearly $900K for use by legitimate charities
September 1, 2020
Attorney General Ellison joins fight against Trump Administration attempts to cut Census short, undercount Minnesotans
Reducing time for follow-up will put one of Minnesota’s congressional seats, federal funding at risk
August 29, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration for rule curtailing environmental review of federal actions
Rule would limit Minnesotans’ participation, hurt vulnerable communities’ pursuit of environmental justice
August 26, 2020
Attorney General Ellison announces $85 million multistate settlement with Honda
Minnesota joins group of 48 states and territories in holding Honda accountable for using defective Takata airbags in its vehicles; Honda to pay Minnesota $1.5 million
August 18, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues Postal Service to stop dramatic changes that would undermine election, hurt Minnesotans
Joins multistate coalition in federal lawsuit filed in Washington state alleging violations of federal law in implementing sudden, unilateral changes; cites Minnesota impacts
August 14, 2020
Attorney General Ellison secures agreement to end illegal price gouging of face masks
Saint Paul re-seller bought face masks from Minnesota businesses, resold them at unconscionably high prices around the country; will stop engaging in abusive sales during Governor’s peacetime emergency, will compensate customers
August 12, 2020
Attorney General Ellison asks court to remove trustees of Otto Bremer Trust
Petition details reckless attempt to sell Trust’s shares in Bremer Financial Corporation, knowing it would set off a ‘cascade of unfortunate consequences.’ Petition alleges a pattern of serious breaches, including self-dealing, excessive compensation and spending, hostile work environment, and shift in focus of trust from charitable to financial purposes
August 12, 2020
AG Ellison: Senate has ousted a champion of protecting workers and their families
‘They’ve thrown Nancy Leppink out of a job for protecting Minnesotans’ lives’
August 7, 2020
Attorney General’s report on Lowering Pharmaceutical Drug Prices wins national award
National Conference of State Legislatures recognizes report with 2020 Notable Document Award
July 31, 2020
Attorney General Ellison brings enforcement action against rodeo that defied COVID-19 safety precautions
Sues to enforce Executive Order 20-74 against company that intentionally drew large crowds to its Itasca County rodeo without taking precautions against the spread of COVID-19. Company owner was counseled to follow State restrictions but refused to do so; at least one rodeo attendee was infectious, has now tested positive.
July 29, 2020
Attorney General Ellison wins relief for tenants without utilities during pandemic
Resolves enforcement actions against two landlords who failed to provide utilities to tenants, in violation of Executive Order and state law
July 28, 2020
AG Ellison calls for immediate withdrawal of directive that strips CDC of control over COVID-19 data
Joins coalition of 22 AGs expressing serious concerns with new reporting structure that inhibits access to data
July 24, 2020
Attorney General Ellison Joins Lawsuit Against President Trump for Illegally Seeking to Exclude Undocumented Immigrants from Congressional Apportionment
Coalition of States, Cities, and Counties Oppose President Trump’s Newest Ploy to Keep Undocumented Immigrants Out of Apportionment
July 20, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration to block health care discrimination
Multistate suit seeks to block new HHS rule that targets LGBTQ+ people, people with limited English, and women
July 16, 2020
AG Ellison names Luz María Frías as Deputy Attorney General
30-year veteran of legal, public, community service
July 15, 2020
AG Ellison sues Secretary DeVos to protect Minnesota students, taxpayers from fraud, deception, and abuse
Lawsuit today to block DeVos from repealing fraud protections for student-loan borrowers; joins June lawsuit to stop DeVos from repealing prohibition on federal funding for schools that sell worthless degrees
July 14, 2020
Trump Administration rescinds proposed visa rules on international students after AG Ellison sues
Coalition of 18 AGs fought the dramatic rules that would have hurt Minnesota’s schools, community, and economy
July 13, 2020
AG Ellison sues Trump Administration to stop new visa rule for international students
Joins coalition of 18 AGs in fighting dramatic reversal that hurts Minnesota’s schools, community, and economy
July 13, 2020
AG Ellison settles with Frontier, concluding investigations into Minnesota telecoms providers
Settlement to provide meaningful benefits to Frontier’s customers, many of whom live in Greater Minnesota
July 13, 2020
Seasoned attorneys join AG Ellison’s team pro bono in George Floyd case
Includes former acting U.S. Solicitor General Neal Katyal, Minnesota attorneys Lola Velázquez-Aguilu, Jerry Blackwell, and Steve Schleicher
July 2, 2020
AG Ellison, Gov. Walz, Lt. Gov. Flanagan announce financial institutions will provide additional mortgage-relief options to homeowners facing hardship due to COVID-19
31 Minnesota credit unions and banks to extend some CARES Act mortgage-relief options to customers without a federally-backed mortgage
July 1, 2020
AG Ellison: Big Pharma lawsuit to block Alec Smith Act ‘telling Minnesotans their obscene profits come before our lives’
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued the following statement about the lawsuit Big Pharma filed today to block the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, which takes effect today.
June 24, 2020
AG Ellison sues ExxonMobil, Koch Industries & American Petroleum Institute for deceiving, defrauding Minnesotans about climate change
Claims violations of state and common law regarding consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices, misrepresentation, failure to warn; seeks injunctive relief, restitution, and corrective public education campaign. Minnesota joins growing list of states and local governments holding fossil-fuel industry accountable for decades-long ‘campaign of deception.’
June 12, 2020
‘One hundred years late, justice has been done’: AG Ellison hails posthumous pardon of Max Mason
On 100th anniversary of infamous Duluth lynchings, State Board of Pardons grants first-ever posthumous pardon to African American man falsely accused and wrongly convicted; AG Ellison encouraged pardon application
June 12, 2020
AG Ellison again sues generic-drug manufacturers for conspiracy to fix drug prices and illegally allocate markets
In Minnesota’s third lawsuit against ‘largest cartel in the history of the United States,’ AG Ellison joins coalition of 51 states and territories in suing 26 corporations for fixing prices and allocating markets on 80 topical dermatological drugs
June 2, 2020
Court protects Minnesotans’ lives, blocks bars from operating illegally
Attorney General Ellison wins temporary injunction in ‘Shady’s’ case in Stearns County
May 30, 2020
Attorney General Ellison’s call for people to stay home tonight (May 30) after 8:00 p.m.
May 26, 2020
Statement from Attorney General Ellison on death of George Floyd
George Floyd mattered. Somebody loved him. His life was important. It had value. He lost it yesterday in an encounter with law enforcement that once again raises pain and trauma for so many people.
May 26, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Houses of worship “are not buildings,” they are “the people who use the buildings”
Votes to approve Executive Order 20-26 — will continue to defend Governor’s emergency authority, uphold law and executive orders “without fear or favor or special treatment”
May 17, 2020
Attorney General Ellison files lawsuit to prevent six bars, restaurants from reopening illegally during COVID-19 emergency
Seeks emergency relief to protect public from spread of COVID-19, ensure compliance with Stay Safe MN Executive Order
May 13, 2020
AG Ellison: ‘Governor carefully turning the dial on reopening Minnesota’
Attorney General supports new executive orders extending peacetime emergency, protecting workers and vulnerable people, and carefully turning the dial on reopening Minnesota
May 13, 2020
‘Minnesotans no longer celebrate slavery and genocide’: AG Ellison hails Supreme Court decision upholding Bde Maka Ska name
‘We now have a sure way to reflect our values today and to pass along the state we want our children to inherit tomorrow’
May 12, 2020
‘Essential workers are not disposable workers’: Attorney General Ellison urges President to protect meat-packing workers
Joins coalition of 20 AGs in letter urging meaningful safety measures following President’s Executive Order to keep meat-processing plants open during pandemic
May 6, 2020
Attorney General Ellison urges federal investigation of beef-packing industry
Joins bipartisan coalition of 11 AGs urging the Department of Justice pursue a federal investigation into coordinated market manipulation by meat packers in the cattle industry
May 6, 2020
Attorney General Ellison defends ACA in Supreme Court
Joins broad coalition in filing opening brief opposite Trump Administration in case that will decide fate of 2.3 million Minnesotans with pre-existing conditions, among others
May 4, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Executive order banning garnishment ‘will provide Minnesotans a little more peace of mind that they can afford their lives’ during pandemic
AG Ellison proposed new executive order banning garnishment of CARES Act and other stimulus payments by debt collectors; AG’s office empowered to enforce order that will help Minnesotans keep roof over heads, food on table
April 30, 2020
Attorney General Ellison shuts down fraudulent student-loan debt-settlement company in Minnesota
California-based company offering fraudulent ‘forgiveness’ scheme will pay State $122K to refund Minnesota customers
April 29, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues to protect tenant from illegal eviction tomorrow
Seeks emergency relief to protect Roseville tenant from being forced from his home tomorrow, in violation of Governor’s Executive Order suspending evictions during pandemic
April 28, 2020
AG Ellison, SOS Simon reach agreement to expand access to voting
Consent degree in Thao v. Simon means Minnesota may no longer enforce certain restrictions on assisting voters; will especially aid voters with language barriers and disabilities
April 28, 2020
Attorney General Ellison reaches price-gouging settlement on egg prices
Howard Lake company’s egg prices increased 150 percent during pandemic; company agrees to limit prices during emergency
April 24, 2020
Attorney General Ellison defends Minnesotans from video harassment
Intervenes to defend constitutionality of state anti-harassment law in federal lawsuit filed by plaintiff who has videotaped congregants at Bloomington mosque that was bombed in 2017
April 23, 2020
Attorney General Ellison puts an end to more online pandemic profiteering
Saint Paul-based online retailer Red Star Trader bought essential goods in bulk, resold them at unconscionably excessive prices during the COVID-19 crisis; will stop engaging in abusive sales during the peacetime emergency
April 17, 2020
Attorney General Ellison files another lawsuit to protect tenants from forced removal during COVID-19 pandemic
Landlord who currently lives in Florida refuses to supply propane to Aitkin County tenants who are sheltering in place — AG seeks emergency relief for tenants from landlord’s violations of Governor’s Executive Order and landlord-tenant laws
April 16, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Investigation into Frontier continues despite bankruptcy
Will continue to protect Minnesota customers’ rights and fight for reform of Frontier’s business practices, despite chapter 11 bankruptcy filing
April 13, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Extension of peacetime emergency protects Minnesotans’ lives and ability to afford their lives
April 10, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues another landlord for illegally forcing tenant to vacate during COVID-19 pandemic
Files enforcement action against Meeker County landlord who repeatedly disconnected water to manufactured home in violation of Executive Order 20-14 and Minnesota law; seeks emergency injunctive relief to protect tenant
April 9, 2020
Attorney General Ellison leads fight for Americans’ right to hold companies accountable for defective products
Co-leads bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general in asking U.S. Supreme Court not to limit plaintiffs’ right to hold manufacturers accountable for defective products in their home-state courts, in defense of Minnesota Supreme Court decision
April 8, 2020
Attorney General Ellison urges compliance with extended Stay At Home order, will use power of AG’s office to enforce if necessary
‘Continuing to stay home is how we care for ourselves and each other’
April 8, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Supreme Court Cilek decision ‘big win for Minnesota voters’ privacy’
Minnesota Supreme Court holds Secretary of State was correct in restricting public access to non-public voter data, in case represented by Attorney General’s Office
April 7, 2020
Attorney General Ellison’s office wins halt to illegal removal of tenants during emergency
Pine County District Court grants AG Office’s request for temporary restraining order; Landlord required to restore utilities and barred from taking further steps to interfere with tenants’ residency during COVID-19 emergency
April 6, 2020
Attorney General Ellison and U.S. Attorney MacDonald announce coordinated fight against unlawful activity related to COVID-19
Minnesota COVID-19 Action Team to swiftly investigate, prosecute, and enforce state and federal law; AG Office’s to serve as centralized hub for reports of COVID-19-related unlawful activity; dedicated complaint form now live on AG website
April 5, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Governor Walz delivers testament to Minnesota’s spirit and resilience
Will keep helping all Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity and respect through the coming winter to the spring that will come — as spring always does
April 4, 2020
Attorney General Ellison urges Trump Administration to follow Minnesota’s lead in opening up special ACA enrollment during COVID-19 pandemic
While special enrollment for MNsure is open, opening it for Americans in 38 other states is ‘literally a matter of life and death’ for them
April 3, 2020
Attorney General Ellison enforces Executive Order against forcing tenants to vacate during COVID-19 pandemic
Files enforcement action against Pine County landlord who disconnected utilities to force tenants out of their home while they were sheltering in place, in violation of Executive Order 20-14; seeks emergency injunctive relief to protect tenants
March 27, 2020
Attorney General Ellison warns major online retailers they are not exempt from ban on pandemic profiteering
Joins bipartisan group of 32 AGs in letters to Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, Facebook, and Walmart urging them to block price-gouging by online sellers
March 27, 2020
Attorney General Ellison puts an end to more pandemic profiteering
Little Canada business did not sell N95 face masks before start of COVID-19 crisis; will stop selling them for $5 each plus shipping, and will donate all masks to comply with Governor’s Executive Order
March 27, 2020
Attorney General Ellison asks Bartmann Hospitality, Inc. to reply to reports of withheld wages and gratuities
Also offers guidance to workers whose wages have been withheld after a COVID-19 layoff or termination
March 25, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Governor’s order to ‘Stay at Home’ is ‘firmly rooted in Minnesota law,’ ‘reasonable and necessary’
Will vote to approve Order at Executive Council meeting later today
March 24, 2020
Attorney General Ellison ready to enforce order suspending evictions during emergency
New online complaint form available for tenants who believe landlords are violating Executive Order
March 24, 2020
Attorney General Ellison begins crackdown on COVID-19 pandemic profiteering
AG’s office pursuing numerous investigations — files first Assurance of Discontinuance, sends warning letter to Menards
March 24, 2020
Attorney General Ellison warns Minnesotans about COVID-19 phishing attacks
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today warned Minnesotans about a reported spike in phishing attacks related to COVID-19, and offered advice about how to spot, avoid, and report them.
March 23, 2020
Attorney General Ellison warns of potential for COVID-19 charity scams
With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rising in Minnesota, there is a risk that scammers will try to prey on the generosity of Minnesota donors by tricking them into donating to causes that claim to help COVID-19 patients or to alleviate the strain on overtaxed resources.
March 20, 2020
Attorney General Ellison: Executive order banning ‘pandemic profiteering’ will ‘help Minnesotans afford their lives’
AG worked closely with Governor to craft new executive order banning price-gouging on essential items during peacetime emergency
March 20, 2020
AG Ellison: Governor is operating well within his statutory and constitutional authority
Responds to Senate majority leader’s concern over Governor’s authority during peacetime emergency
March 13, 2020
AG Ellison: Protect yourself from COVID-19 scams, report price-gouging
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison today provided warnings, tips, and resources to Minnesota consumers so that they can be on the lookout for and protect themselves from scams related to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”).
March 11, 2020
AG Ellison wins protections for Minnesota consumers and jobs in T-Mobile settlement
Protects current rate plans, requires low-cost wireless plans, extends low-income wireless access, protects jobs
February 24, 2020
Working group releases consensus recommendations for reducing police-involved deadly force encounters
28 recommendations and 33 action steps cover community healing and engagement, prevention and training, investigations and accountability, policy and legal implications, and officer wellness. Diverse group convened by Attorney General Ellison and Public Safety Commissioner Harrington — only body of its kind in the country — completes six months of public hearings and listening sessions across Minnesota.
February 19, 2020
AG Task Force: Lower Rx drug prices by making markets work for people, using public power to make drugs more affordable, requiring more transparency and accountability
Report and recommendations for legislative, legal, administrative, and patient-oriented action of Attorney General Ellison’s Task Force on Lowering Pharmaceutical Drug Prices released after nearly one year of study and deliberation. First-of-its-kind report sheds light on dysfunction of overly complex pharmaceutical-drug market that doesn’t work for people; also outlines main causes of high prices, including abuse of patent and exclusivity laws, anticompetitive practices, and PBMs’ business practices, among others.
February 6, 2020
Attorney General Ellison condemns federal effort to let predatory lenders take advantage of consumers
FDIC rule would allow payday and other predatory lenders to skirt state usury laws; AG Ellison joins bipartisan coalition urging withdrawal of rule they say violates law, administrative authority
February 4, 2020
Attorney General Ellison again requests loan discharge for students of Argosy University and Art Institutes International
Co-leads bipartisan coalition of 26 AGs in asking Education Secretary to extend federal student loan discharge to all former students of closed Dream Center schools, including Argosy University and Art institutes International
January 24, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues Trump Administration over effort to allow release of 3D-printed guns
Federal judge found previous attempt to allow 3D-printed guns unlawful; states claim current attempt is unlawful for same reasons as previous attempt
January 17, 2020
Attorney General Ellison and Pharmacy Board announce liquidation of opioid manufacturer Insys
Resolves litigation, disciplinary action that Attorney General and Board of Pharmacy filed against Insys, one of two opioid manufacturers AGO has sued. Bipartisan, multistate plan requires public disclosure of Insys’s documents, provides monetary relief to states, local governments, and tribes.
January 17, 2020
Attorney General Ellison joins fight to halt immigration arrests at state courthouses
Joins coalition of 14 AGs in amicus brief supporting Washington State lawsuit against DHS, ICE, and CBP
January 16, 2020
Attorney General Ellison sues to stop Trump Administration from ending food assistance for more than 8,000 Minnesotans
Joins coalition fighting USDA rule change that undermines law and congressional intent and would hurt nearly 700,000 nationwide
January 15, 2020
Attorney General Ellison obtains relief for more than 30,000 Comcast/Xfinity customers
Comcast to issue refunds to 15,600 customers and provide debt relief to 16,000 more, together worth millions of dollars; must also disclose full amount it will charge customers
January 13, 2020
Attorney General Ellison’s office opens investigation into Otto Bremer Trust
Exercises broad authority to regulate charitable trusts by opening an investigation into the trust’s sale of its Bremer Financial shares
January 7, 2020
Attorney General Ellison obtains nearly $9 million settlement with CenturyLink for overcharging Minnesota customers
Settlement also requires CenturyLink to implement significant billing reforms, including disclosing its true prices, honoring all prices and discounts it promised, and banning sham internet fees
January 3, 2020
State of Minnesota joins coalition asking for Supreme Court review of ACA decision
State and coalition ask for expedited review and resolution this term
December 20, 2019
Attorney General Ellison permanently bans two charities that deceived Minnesotans about supporting families of fallen police officers
Obtains settlement that permanently bans two related charities from soliciting in Minnesota, requires one of them to pay back nearly $300K solicited from Minnesotans
December 16, 2019
Attorney General Ellison files suit against president of Journey Home Minnesota
Lawsuit alleges Blake Huffman mismanaged JHM’s charitable assets, engaged in transactions with clear conflicts of interest, abandoned JHM’s charitable mission
December 13, 2019
Attorney General Ellison defends refugees against President’s unlawful executive order
Joins coalition of 12 AGs in brief in support of refugee-resettlement organizations challenging Trump order; argues order violates federal law, interferes with state sovereignty, and undermines family reunification. Brief filed on same day Gov. Walz announces Minnesota will continue to accept refugees.
December 12, 2019
Attorney General Ellison bans Texas company over sale of suspect ‘extended warranties’ for vehicles
Settlement also requires AutoAssure, LLC to pay $400K toward refunds for around 1,000 Minnesota consumers
December 4, 2019
State sues JUUL for deceptive marketing targeting youth
AG Ellison announces lawsuit with Gov. Walz as Minnesota loses 10 years of progress in fighting youth tobacco use. JUUL addicts youth by deceiving them about nicotine content, following Big Tobacco marketing playbook.
November 26, 2019
Attorney General Ellison once again leads fight to protect Liberians from deportation
Co-leads coalition of 14 states in supporting appeal of dismissal of lawsuit against Trump Administration order to end DED protections.Third time this year that AG Ellison moves to protect Liberians against President’s attempt to terminate status.
November 19, 2019
Attorney General Ellison reaches agreement to help school districts afford the price of school milk
Will protect more than 40 school districts and programs through 2030
November 18, 2019
Attorney General Ellison leads fight to classify non-compete clauses as unfair and illegal
Abusive non-compete clauses currently prevent 30 million Americans — especially low-income ones — from getting better jobs, pursuing higher ambitions, and leaving hostile or unsafe work environments
November 13, 2019
Attorney General Ellison fights unlawful attempt to use healthcare coverage to bar immigrants
Joins coalition of 22 AGs in challenging presidential proclamation that would bar entry to immigrants who do not possess certain health insurance or the ability to pay for medical care
November 6, 2019
Attorney General Ellison and coalition win fight to stop Trump Administration healthcare discrimination rule
Federal court issues summary judgment vacating entire HHS rule ‘refusal of care’ rule. Rule would have drastically expanded healthcare providers’ ability to deny necessary healthcare to virtually anyone they chose, solely on the basis of their own ‘religious beliefs or moral convictions’
November 6, 2019
Attorney General Ellison’s office notches big victory for defrauded MSB/Globe students
Minnesota Supreme Court allows AG’s office to obtain tuition refunds for more than 1,300 low-income students of MSB/Globe criminal-justice program — more than $33 million in restitution now possible. Court also affirms AG’s authority to seek restitution for all Minnesotans harmed by fraud.
October 30, 2019
Attorney General Ellison sues companies and individuals running fraudulent student loan debt “forgiveness” scheme, obtains court order immediately halting conduct
Companies illegally charged up-front fees upwards of $1,300 for filling out and submitting forms to the federal government for loan repayment and consolidation programs, which eligible borrowers can apply for on their own for free. In response to lawsuit, federal judge issues temporary restraining order against defendants
October 22, 2019
Attorney General Ellison joins lawsuit protecting Endangered Species Act
Ellison: Trump Administration’s undermining of the Act ‘is not only unlawful, it’s un-Minnesotan’ ESA currently protects the Topeka Shiner, Canada Lynx, and Prairie Fringed Orchid, among other Minnesota species
October 17, 2019
Attorney General’s Office wins next step in case against landlord Steven Meldahl
Court issues temporary injunction that expands scope of earlier order to require that Meldahl get properties inspected, inform tenants of rights to inspection, and stop charging more than 8 percent for late fees. Meldahl, who brags about evicting 99 percent of his tenants, has been cited more than 1,300 times in last 10 years for City housing-code violations.
October 17, 2019
Attorney General Ellison seeks more federal help for students unfairly harmed by closure of Argosy University and Art Institues
Co-leads letter of 30 AGs to ask Secretary DeVos to expand ‘closed school discharge’ to more students of schools closed after owner’s misconduct and mismanagement
October 8, 2019
Attorney General Ellison files suit to halt North Minneapolis landlord’s ‘eviction for profit’ scheme, obtains court order protecting his tenants who want to contact city housing inspectors
In response to AG’s lawsuit, Hennepin County Court stops Steven Meldahl from enforcing illegal lease provisions, freezes bank accounts. Meldahl, who evicts 99 percent of tenants, has been cited more than 1,300 times in last 10 years for City housing-code violations
October 7, 2019
Attorney General Ellison defends women’s access to full range of reproductive healthcare
Joins 19 other AGs in filing amicus brief at 5th Circuit in support of women’s health clinic challenging Mississippi’s near-total ban on abortion
October 4, 2019
Attorney General Ellison asks court to deny Purdue’s and Sacklers’ move to avoid accountability for death and destruction
Joins 24 other AGs in bankruptcy-court filing against Purdue’s motion to halt lawsuit; Ellison’s office plays leading role in drafting oppositions
October 2, 2019
Attorney General Ellison, Commissioner Lucero choose to fight LGBTQ wedding-video discrimination case in trial court
Instead of appealing split Eighth Circuit decision, will take case back to federal district court to build record of actual facts to counter plaintiff’s ‘fairy tale’ assertions
September 27, 2019
Attorney General Ellison charges 11 people with $800K in Medicaid fraud
Including Chappy’s case, AG’s office charges total 21 people with $3M in Medicaid fraud this week
September 26, 2019
Court rules R.J. Reynolds wrongfully failed to pay State millions in tobacco-settlement fees
Court to determine amount owed State in coming months
September 25, 2019
Attorney General Ellison applauds Governor Walz’s clean-car standards, already defending them in court
Minnesota one of 22 states and 3 cities that filed suit late last week against Trump Administration attempts to preempt clean-car standards
September 24, 2019
Attorney General Ellison supports banning discrimination on the basis of religion in immigration decisions
Led coalition of 19 AGs in supporting NO BAN Act being raised today in Congress in response to Trump Administration Muslim Ban
September 24, 2019
Attorney General Ellison’s office files 76 maltreatment, fraud, and obstruction charges against owner, managers, and employees of assisted-living facility
Manslaughter among charges brought against former owner of Chappy’s Golden Shores in Hill City, who faces 25 charges alone
September 23, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: Northern Metals shutdown and settlement ‘better than what we could have achieved at trial’ and a ‘win for the people of North Minneapolis’
In addition to shutting down for good at 6:00 p.m. today, Northern Metals admits to wrongdoing and will pay civil penalty in settlement with State
September 9, 2019
AG Ellison, coalition ask court to block Trump Administration’s healthcare discrimination rule
Discriminatory ‘refusal of care’ rule would drastically expand healthcare providers’ rights to deny necessary healthcare to anyone they choose, solely on the basis of their own ‘religious beliefs or moral convictions’
September 9, 2019
Attorney General Ellison launches new biweekly podcast: ‘Affording Your Life with Keith Ellison’
Dedicated to fairness, justice, and consumer information to help people afford their lives; new episode to be released every other Monday
September 6, 2019
Attorney General Ellison files amicus brief in support of public release of Boy Scouts’ ‘Perversion Files,’ with safeguards for accused
Because “substantial public interest in disclosure … must be balanced against fairness and privacy concerns,” recommends appointment of Special Master to review each file
August 22, 2019
Attorney General Ellison joins 51 attorneys general and 12 companies in adopting principles to fight illegal robocalls
Prevention and enforcement at heart of historic agreement for protecting consumers
August 22, 2019
Attorney General Ellison fights radical new Trump Administration rule that puts legal residents at risk of deportation
Joins 17 other AGs in asking court to block rule that was unlawfully implemented, lacks clear legal standards, and will harm their states and communities
August 21, 2019
Minnesotans to get refunds, debt relief, and credit repair from Preferred Credit, Inc.
Attorney General Ellison’s office announces settlement that affects more than 400 Minnesotans
August 20, 2019
Attorney General Ellison supports public release of Boy Scouts’ ‘Perversion Files’ with safeguards for rights of accused
As state’s chief legal officer, seeks disclosure in the interests of justice, transparency, and protecting children
August 16, 2019
Attorney General Ellison condemns Trump Administration effort to allow discrimination in healthcare
Proposed HHS rule will eliminate ACA’s protections against discrimination for women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, and other vulnerable communities
August 15, 2019
Attorney General Ellison files lawsuit against ‘public charge’ rule
New rule ‘bait-and-switch’ means families and children will have less access to food, healthcare, and shelter, meaning more burden for all communities
August 9, 2019
Attorney General Ellison permanently bans sham hospice charity, New Hope Foundation, from operating in Minnesota
Obtains settlement prohibiting sham hospice charity from any further activity in Minnesota due to its misleading solicitation practices and misuse of donations
August 8, 2019
Attorney General Ellison wins expansion of federal-loan discharge for MSB/Globe University students
Following advocacy by AG Ellison’s office, the US Dept. of Education will now allow students who withdrew any time after court found schools had engaged in fraud to apply to discharge their federal loans
August 5, 2019
Sackler family knew but denied and downplayed risks of opioids, stigmatized addicted people, then moved to profit from addiction
AG Ellison’s office files unredacted complaint that shows family that controls Purdue paid themselves $4B in profit from opioids, while calling addicted people ‘criminals,’ ‘scum of the earth’ — then exploiting addiction treatment as an ‘attractive market’ that is ‘naturally linked’ to the crisis they created
August 2, 2019
Attorney General Ellison moves to defend Liberians from deportation
Co-leads coalition of 15 states in amicus brief supporting suit to halt Trump’s termination of DED
July 26, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: T-Mobile/Sprint mega-merger would still hurt Minnesotans’ ability to afford their lives
Speculative deal with DISH Network does not resolve concerns about impacts on consumers, workers, and communities
July 25, 2019
Minnesota reaches settlement with pharmaceutical company over ‘pay-for-delay’ behavior
Endo settles with 18 states over charges it protected its monopoly on Lidoderm through illegal, anti-competitive conduct
July 22, 2019
Attorney General Ellison and 49 other AGs secure settlement from Equifax in largest data-breach in history
$600M settlement includes up to $425 million in consumer restitution — comes after investigation into massive 2017 data breach that affected 147M Americans
July 17, 2019
THURSDAY–SATURDAY: AG Ellison to listen to Minnesotans in south-central and southwest Minnesota
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will co-host a public roundtable discussion on wage theft and two listening sessions with local legislators, as well as meet privately with a variety of community leaders and workers, during three days of travel in south-central and southwest Minnesota, starting this Thursday, July 18 through Saturday, July 20.
July 15, 2019
Attorney General Ellison announces new Wage Theft Unit in AGO
Will investigate and litigate complaints of wage theft and other workplace fraud and abuse perpetrated against Minnesotans of all backgrounds, especially the most vulnerable
July 12, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: ‘President Trump’s cruelty violates Minnesotans’ sense of decency’
Ellison tells Minnesotans, ‘Regardless of your immigration status, you have legal and constitutional rights — know them and exercise them. As long as I’m the People’s Lawyer, we’ll keep fighting for everyone’s dignity, no exceptions’
July 11, 2019
Attorney General Ellison reaches settlement in data breach affecting 38,000 Minnesotans
Thirty states settle claims related to 2014–15 data breach that exposed sensitive medical information
July 10, 2019
Attorney General Ellison files Supreme Court brief to protect LGBTQ+ employees from workplace discrimination
Joins 21 other AGs in brief on three cases of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity that Court will hear together in October
July 10, 2019
Attorney General Ellison defends human rights of children in civil immigration detention
Joins coalition of 21 AGs in filing amicus brief asking for immediate relief from threats to children’s health and welfare
June 27, 2019
AG Ellison: ‘Every Minnesotan, no matter their citizenship or immigration status, must be counted’
Ellison pledges to use ‘every legal recourse’ to keep ‘clearly prejudicial’ citizenship question off 2020 Census
June 21, 2019
Minnesota joins lawsuit to block T-Mobile/Sprint mega-merger
AG Ellison joins 13 other AGs in amended complaint that alleges merger is anti-competitive, will drive up prices for consumers, cost jobs, and hurt rural areas
June 20, 2019
Attorney General Ellison permanently bans deceptive charity, Breast Cancer Outreach Foundation, from operating in Minnesota
Obtains settlement prohibiting charity from any further activity in Minnesota due to deceptive solicitation practices, encourages Minnesotans to ‘do your homework’ before giving
June 19, 2019
Attorney General Ellison’s office wins more than $1 million in debt relief for former ITT Tech students
CUSO agrees to forego collection of outstanding loans and cease doing business
June 18, 2019
Attorney General Ellison leads AGs in asking Congress to protect integrity of America’s elections
Leads 21 other AGs in asking for grants, security standards, and bipartisan election-security legislation to address “persistent threats to our election systems”
June 7, 2019
Attorney General Ellison joins motion to unseal generic drug price-fixing complaint
Marks latest step in second case against ‘largest cartel in history’
June 7, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: Rash of overdoses why Minnesota investigating and suing opioid manufacturers
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued the following statement in response to a Minneapolis Police Department report of a record-high 50 overdoses, including one suspected death, during the week of May 28 – June 5, 2019
May 30, 2019
Attorney General Ellison announces settlement in data breach affecting 8,000 Minnesotans
Sixteen states settle claims related to 2015 data breach in first-ever multi-state lawsuit filed under HIPAA
May 25, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: Legislature takes steps toward helping people afford their lives and live with dignity and respect — with more to be done
Session ends with new tools AG Ellison fought for to fight wage theft and opioid crisis, protect public’s money held in HMOs’ charitable assets, regulate PBMs, protect against elder abuse — and with first increase to AGO budget in 6 years
May 24, 2019
Attorney General Ellison fights federal efforts to make it harder for Minnesotans to afford their lives
Opposes new federal rules that would reverse overtime protections for workers and weaken protections against predatory payday lenders Ellison: ‘As the People’s Lawyer, I’ll protect Minnesotans when the federal government won’t’
May 22, 2019
Attorney General Ellison sues to protect Minnesotans from discrimination in health care
Joins coalition of 23 states and municipalities in suing to block new Trump Administration rule that would allow businesses and healthcare practitioners to deny care solely on the basis of personal views, not lawful medical need
May 17, 2019
State of Minnesota adds Sackler family as defendants in lawsuit against Purdue Pharma
Attorney General Ellison announces State asking court to amend complaint against opioid manufacturer to include eight members of Sackler family, which owns company, as individual defendants
May 15, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: Public school districts may not restrict student participation in graduation ceremonies because of unpaid meal debt
Binding opinion issued in response to request from Commissioner of Education, following Legal Aid reports of some districts restricting student participation
May 15, 2019
Attorney General Ellison defends rights of gender non-binary people in court
Joins amicus brief in support of individual who requested passport with alternative marker for sex
May 13, 2019
Decrying ‘illegal behavior rooted in greed,’ Attorney General Ellison announces major lawsuit against manufacturers of generic pharmaceutical drugs, part of ‘largest cartel in history’
Joins 42 other states and Puerto Rico in alleging 20 companies illegally allocated and fixed prices on 112 generic drugs that treat cancer, diabetes, MS, other conditions
Rep. Rod Hamilton denounces ‘greedy corporate cartel that is stealing from the sick, the dying, and the disabled’
May 1, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: Minnesota needs ‘reliable mechanism for renaming places that evoke or celebrate racist parts of our past’
Statement on DNR appeal of Bde Maka Ska: ‘We need a way to reflect our values today and pass along the state we want our children to inherit tomorrow’
April 19, 2019
Attorney General Ellison challenges proposal to undermine mercury and air-toxics standards
Joins coalition to oppose EPA’s ‘unlawful’ proposed finding that it is no longer ‘appropriate’ to regulate toxic air pollution from power plants — ‘Once again, the Administration is abandoning its duty to protect the American people,’ Ellison says
April 15, 2019
Attorney General Ellison continues support for women’s reproductive rights
Joins coalition of 21 attorneys general in amicus brief in asking 5th Circuit to uphold permanent injunction on ‘plainly unconstitutional’ Mississippi law
April 9, 2019
Attorney General Ellison issues a statement on the abrupt closure of Argosy University’s Twin Cities campus
April 5, 2019
Attorney General Ellison joins multi-state effort to protect women’s access to reproductive health
In amicus brief, asks 6th Circuit to uphold lower court finding that Kentucky law is unconstitutional
April 4, 2019
Attorney General Ellison names members of task force on lowering pharmaceutical drug prices
15 members chosen through public process include medical practitioners, labor and industry representatives, legislators, and people affected by high cost of pharmaceutical drugs
April 3, 2019
Attorney General Ellison defends union representation of workers at Supreme Court
Files two briefs in support of lower-court rulings that upheld exclusive union representation for workers
April 3, 2019
Attorney General Ellison joins multistate coalition suing Trump Administration for gutting key nutritional standards for school meals
At least 600,000 Minnesota schoolchildren affected by “unlawful” revisions to sodium limits, whole-grain content requirements for school breakfasts and lunches
April 1, 2019
One year ahead of census, Attorney General Ellison and coalition challenge citizenship question at Supreme Court
File brief in Trump administration’s appeal of ruling that stripped question from census
March 26, 2019
Attorney General Ellison moves to protect Minnesota’s Liberian community
Leads multistate coalition of AGs in supporting Liberians who have filed to block termination of DED status
March 26, 2019
Attorney General Ellison defends Affordable Care Act in court
Joins coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing opening brief in Texas v. US
March 20, 2019
Attorney General Ellison opposes move to delay protecting people from payday lenders
Joins letter with 24 other AGs to call on CFPB to enforce rule finalized in 2017
March 13, 2019
Attorney General’s Office wins settlement with four fast-food chains to end no-poach agreements
Under multi-state agreement, Dunkin’, Arby’s, Five Guys, and Little Caesars will drop franchise provisions that limit recruitment and hiring of workers in fast-food industry
March 12, 2019
Attorney General Ellison announces settlements with Fiat Chrysler and Bosch for unlawful emissions-cheating scheme
Minnesota to collect $3.5 million from companies for their illegal practices
March 7, 2019
Attorney General Ellison seeks judgment in lawsuit against tech-support scam as part of nationwide crackdown on scammers
Files motion for default judgment against Teknicians, Inc., warns Minnesota consumers about tech-support scams as part of Tech Support Takedown
March 6, 2019
Attorney General Ellison sues to protect Minnesota workers
Joins multi-state lawsuit challenging federal rollback of workplace-injury and -illness reporting rules
March 5, 2019
Attorney General Ellison sues federal government to stop illegal gag rule on women’s reproductive healthcare
Multistate lawsuit alleges new Trump administration rule is illegal and unconstitutional; Would have disproportionate impact on women in Greater Minnesota
March 1, 2019
Attorney General Ellison Announces Launch of Wells Fargo Consumer Redress Review Program
$575 million nationwide settlement requires Wells Fargo to make any remaining Minnesota victims whole
March 1, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: ‘Transgender kids, like everyone, deserve to live with dignity and respect’
Minnesota Attorney General’s office joins multistate amicus brief in favor of transgender student who was wrongly denied use of school bathroom that fits his gender identity
February 21, 2019
Attorney General Ellison starts task force for lowering the cost of pharmaceutical drugs
Ellison: Minnesotans are ‘united in one simple idea: they’re entitled to afford their lives — and drug prices are too high’
February 19, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: ‘Governor Walz’s budget delivers on the promise of One Minnesota’
Governor’s support of Attorney General’s Office will also ‘help people afford their lives and live with dignity and respect’
February 18, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: “The President is harming the people of Minnesota... I cannot allow him to do that.”
Minnesota joins multistate lawsuit to stop Trump administration from illegally and unconstitutionally diverting federal funds to build border wall
February 11, 2019
Attorney General Ellison joins effort to defend immigrant holders of Temporary Protected Status
Joins coalition of 22 attorneys general in supporting preliminary injunction to block DHS from deporting immigrants to home countries with dangerous or harmful conditions
February 8, 2019
Attorney General Ellison’s office wins largest Medicaid fraud case in Minnesota state court history
Wins convictions of two people for $7.7 million in fraud against State, including one previously convicted of Medicaid fraud
January 31, 2019
Attorney General Ellison names Solicitor General and Government Affairs Director
Liz Kramer to serve as Solicitor General and former State Rep. Carly Melin as Government Affairs Director on staff team helping Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity
January 23, 2019
Attorney General Ellison’s office settles three multistate healthcare-related fraud and deceptive-marketing cases, recoups $3.1M for Minnesota
Settles with Walgreens in two Medicaid fraud cases and with J&J over deceptive marketing of hip implants
January 21, 2019
Attorney General Ellison: ‘The fight against discrimination is the fight for a fair, equal economy’
On MLK holiday, Ellison recalls Dr. King’s question from Greensboro sit-ins: ‘What good is having the right to sit at a lunch counter if you can’t afford to buy a hamburger?’
January 15, 2019
Attorney General Ellison’s office off to busy start helping people afford their lives and live with dignity
In just two days, Ellison promises action to protect Minnesotans during federal government shutdown; AGO prevails in cases blocking federal government from adding citizenship question to 2020 Census and from limiting access to reproductive healthcare; Ellison moves to defend Indian children, culture, and sovereignty
January 7, 2019
Keith Ellison sworn in as Attorney General: “My job as the People’s Lawyer is to help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity and respect”
In inaugural remarks, AG Ellison adds, “The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office will be a place where everybody counts and everybody matters.”
December 21, 2018
Attorney General Lori Swanson Sues Comcast/Xfinity for Charging More Than Promised, Charging for Unordered Products, and Not Delivering Promised Promotional Prepaid Visa Cards.
“It’s hard to shop for cable television if a company plays hide-the-ball on its true prices, and people shouldn’t have to watch their bills for things they didn’t buy,” said Attorney General Swanson.
October 16, 2018
Attorney General Lori Swanson Files Lawsuit Against Pharmaceutical Companies Over Deceptive Price Spikes For Insulin
Price Hikes More Than Doubled the Cost Of Diabetes Medication
