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Press Releases

Vermont State Police Troopers Justified in Non-Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

Date
December 20, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office today announced the conclusion of their independent review of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on July 14, 2024, in Burke, Vermont. Attorney General Charity Clark has declined to prosecute Vermont State Police Sergeant Joshua Mikkola and Trooper Richard Berlandy for any charges related to the use of potentially deadly force in a shooting incident involving Brenden Sackal.

Rutland Medicaid Service Provider Charged with Medicaid Fraud

Date
December 9, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Emily St. Peter, 46, of Rutland, Vermont, was arraigned today on one count of felony Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Ms. St. Peter are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU), which found Ms. St. Peter had falsely billed Medicaid for services that she did not provide, as a caregiver for an individual in the Rutland area, defrauding Vermont Medicaid of over $18,000 in public health care funds.

Attorney General Clark Joins U.S. Department of Justice and 38 States in Holding Google Accountable for Violating Antitrust Laws

Date
November 21, 2024

The Lawsuit Seeks Limits to Google Business Practices to End Search Engine Monopoly

Attorney General Charity Clark, along with the Justice Department and a bipartisan coalition of 37 other state attorneys general, today proposed a robust package of remedies to end Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and to restore competition to benefit consumers. 

Vermont State Police Trooper Will Not Be Prosecuted for Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

Date
November 20, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office today announced the conclusion of their independent review of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on June 12, 2024, in Orange, Vermont. Attorney General Charity Clark has declined to prosecute Vermont State Police Trooper Adam Roaldi for charges related to the use of deadly force in a shooting incident involving Jason Lowery. The Orange County State’s Attorney’s Office also declined to prosecute the case after completing its own independent review.   

Two Chittenden County Medicaid Service Providers Plead Guilty to Theft in Medicaid Fraud Conspiracy

Date
November 20, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Amy Trela, 48, and Alicia Russell, 30, of Chittenden County, Vermont, have pled guilty to criminal charges of theft through false pretenses as part of a negotiated resolution of charges stemming from a five-year conspiracy to defraud Vermont Medicaid. Ms. Trela pled before Judge Michael S. Kupersmith on September 13, 2024, and Ms. Russell pled before Judge John L. Pacht yesterday.

Expungement Clinic Set for December 12 in St. Albans

Date
November 8, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark, along with Franklin County State’s Attorney Bram Kranichfeld, will host a free expungement clinic on Thursday, December 12, 2024, with appointments available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Expungements wipe from your criminal record specific convictions and dismissed charges after a certain period of time has passed. Under Vermont law, most misdemeanors, 14 different felony offenses, and all dismissed charges can be expunged or sealed.

Licensed Nursing Assistant Charged with Sexual Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult

Date
November 7, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Paul A. Williams, 59, of Morrisville, Vermont, was arraigned today on one count of felony Sexual Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult. The charge brought against Mr. Williams was the result of an investigation conducted by the Morrisville Police Department and the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU), which allege that Mr.

Ruland City Police Officer Charged with Aggravated Assault and Reckless Endangerment in Non-Lethal, Officer-Involved Shooting

Date
November 1, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Rutland City Police Sergeant Andrew Plemmons, 45, was arraigned today on one felony count of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and one misdemeanor count of Reckless Endangerment.

Moretown Resident Charged with Attempted Luring a Child and Violating Conditions of Release

Date
October 28, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Christopher Camp, 33, of Moretown, Vermont, was arraigned Friday on one felony count of Luring a Child and four misdemeanor counts of violation of conditions of release. The charges brought against Mr. Camp are the result of a criminal investigation initially conducted by the Vermont State Police and later referred to the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Bennington Police Department, and Manchester Police Department. Mr.

Groton Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials and Attempted Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance

Date
October 28, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Mark Bissonnette, 54, of Groton, Vermont, was arraigned Thursday on six felony counts and three misdemeanor counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials and one felony count of Attempted Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance. The charges brought against Mr.

Winooski Resident Charged with Luring a Child

Date
October 24, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Stephen Lane, 55, of Winooski, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Luring a Child. The charge brought against Mr. Lane is the result of a criminal investigation initially conducted by the Department of the Army Criminal Intelligence Division and later referred to the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) with assistance from Burlington Police Department, South Burlington Police Department, and Winooski Police Department. Mr.

Attorney General’s Office Enforces Water Quality and Environmental Laws at Brattleboro Paper Plant

Date
October 17, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today filed an enforcement action against Long Falls Paperboard on behalf of the Agency of Natural Resources. The case concerns multiple violations of Vermont’s environmental laws at the Long Falls plant in Brattleboro. The complaint alleges that violations occurred at the plant over the past several years, including:

Barton Woman Charged with Medicaid Fraud

Date
October 15, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Katrina LaFoe, 44, of Barton, Vermont, was arraigned in Orleans County on three counts of felony Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Ms. LaFoe are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), which found that Ms. LaFoe had impermissibly billed Medicaid for services allegedly provided by another, defrauding Vermont Medicaid of over $18,000 in public health care funds.

Enosburgh Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
October 7, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Joseph Weintraub, 69, of Enosburgh, Vermont, was arraigned today on 10 felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials. The charges brought against Mr. Weintraub are the result of a criminal investigation, including the execution of search warrants conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), which included personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Vermont State Police.

Attorney General Clark Announces Impact of Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food and Diaper Drive

Date
September 26, 2024

Following the close of a two-week collective effort, Attorney General Charity Clark, the Vermont Bar Association (VBA), the Vermont Paralegal Organization (VPO), and the Vermont Foodbank announced the positive impact of the Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food Drive. For the past eight years, legal professionals across the state have come together to run the food drive during the ‘Hunger Action Month’ of September.

Pownal Resident Sentenced to Probation

Date
September 23, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Corey Martin, 26, of Pownal, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Bennington Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The Court, Judge Kerry Ann McDonald-Cady presiding, sentenced the defendant by agreement to 10 years of probation with conditions that restrict his access to the internet and contact with minors, and require him to successfully complete sex offender programming. If Mr.

Expungement Clinic Set for October 3 in Johnson

Date
September 6, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark, along with Lamoille County State’s Attorney Aliena Gerhard, will host a free expungement clinic on Thursday, October 3, 2024, with appointments available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Expungements wipe from your record specific convictions and dismissed charges after a certain period of time has passed. Under Vermont law, many misdemeanors, 14 different felony offenses, and all dismissed charges can be expunged or sealed.

We're Voting on the U.S. Supreme Court this November

Date
September 5, 2024

Op-Ed by Attorney General Charity Clark

Our choice for President of the United States this November will have far-reaching impacts on the U.S. Supreme Court and our entire judicial system. Voters should be asking themselves: what kind of country do you want to live in? What kind of future do you want to leave for the next generation? Because the judicial choices made by President Trump during his first term present a clear – and concerning – picture of what another four years would mean for the bench and for our country.

Attorney General Clark Announces 8th Annual Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food and Diaper Drive

Date
August 30, 2024

In its eighth year supporting Vermonters in need and the vital work of the Vermont Foodbank, the Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food Drive will start Friday, September 6th, and run until Friday, September 20th. Again this year, the Attorney General’s Office is encouraging members of the legal community to collect diapers, in addition to food, to support Vermont families experiencing diaper need.

Hartland Resident Charged with Luring a Child

Date
August 27, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Andrew Moffitt, 21, of Hartland, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Luring a Child. The charge brought against Mr. Moffitt is the result of a criminal investigation initially conducted by the Baltimore County Police Department in Maryland and later referred to the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Vermont State Police, and Hartford Police Department. Mr.

Williamstown Counselor Charged with Medicaid Fraud

Date
August 22, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Johan Green, 53, of Williamstown, Vermont, was arraigned on 11 counts of felony Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Mr. Green are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU), which found that Mr. Green had falsely billed Medicaid for services that he did not provide, defrauding Vermont Medicaid of over $70,000 in public health care funds.

Vermont Joins Lawsuit Against Live Nation-Ticketmaster

Date
August 19, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that she has joined an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation-Ticketmaster. The lawsuit, initially filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and state partners, alleges that Live Nation and its subsidiary, Ticketmaster, formed an illegal monopoly and engaged in anti-competitive conduct to maintain that monopoly. Attorney General Clark’s office has been investigating Live Nation-Ticketmaster since May.

Massachusetts Psychotherapist Charged with Medicaid Fraud

Date
August 15, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that licensed psychotherapist Robert Martin DuWors, Ph.D., 71, of Cotuit, Massachusetts, was arraigned today on three felony counts of Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Dr. DuWors are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) which revealed that Dr.

Derby Resident Arrested for Attempted Luring a Child and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
August 13, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Jason Benn, 35, of Derby, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Luring a Child and one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. Mr. Benn is alleged to have engaged in sexually explicit conversations with a 13-year-old child. That child disclosed the conversations to a third party, who then made a report to law enforcement.

Springfield Resident Arrested for Attempted Luring of a Child

Date
August 1, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that James Beam, 29, of Springfield, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Attempted Luring of a Child. The charge brought against Mr. Beam is the result of an undercover criminal investigation conducted by the Hartford Police Department and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) during which Mr. Beam initiated contact online via the Grindr application with a Hartford investigator posing as a 14-year-old minor. Mr.

Veronica Lewis Charged with Attempted Second-Degree Murder & Aggravated Assault

Date
August 1, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Veronica Lewis, 40, was arraigned today on one felony count of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, and two felony counts of Aggravated Assault. The charges brought against Ms. Lewis are the result of an investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police and the Department of Corrections into an incident that occurred on May 29, 2024, at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility.

Bristol Resident Arrested for Attempted Luring a Child

Date
July 29, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Robert Lavallee, 31, of Bristol, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Luring a Child. The charge brought against the defendant is the result of an undercover criminal investigation initially conducted by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois and later referred to the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. Mr.

Attorney General Clark Sues Pharmacy Benefit Managers for Illegally Driving Up Prescription Drug Costs

Date
July 17, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today filed a lawsuit against pharmacy benefit managers Evernorth (owner of Express Scripts) and CVS as well as nearly two dozen affiliated entities for unfairly and deceptively driving up prescription drug prices in Vermont. Pharmacy benefit managers (sometimes referred to as “PBMs”) are the “middlemen” who negotiate contracts with pharmaceutical manufacturers, insurance companies, and pharmacies, and dictate the cost of prescription drugs that consumers must pay.

St. Albans Resident Charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
July 12, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Caleb Devarney, 31, of St. Albans, Vermont, was arraigned today on three felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material and two misdemeanor counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against the defendant are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, St.

Chittenden County Medicaid Service Providers Charged with Fraud

Date
July 11, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Amy Trela, 48, of Winooski, Vermont, and Alicia Russell, 29, of Essex, Vermont, were both arraigned today as co-defendants, each charged with one count of felony Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Ms. Trela and Ms. Russell are the result of an investigation conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU), which found that the defendants falsely certified Medicaid timesheets, defrauding Vermont Medicaid of over $62,000 in public health care funds since 2019.

Bellows Falls Resident Sentenced to Probation for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
June 25, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Giselle Fichter (charged as Jarrod Fichter), 35, of Bellows Falls, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Windham Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.

Windsor Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
June 25, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Paul Collette, 55, of Windsor, Vermont, was arraigned today on 12 felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against the defendant are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Windsor Police Department, and Hartford Police Department.

Social Media and Data Privacy Public Comments

Date
June 17, 2024

Vermonters, we want to hear from you! Please share any thoughts and concerns you have about data privacy and/or experiences as users of social media, or as parents or teachers of social media users. 

After your comments have been reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office, you may be contacted by the office. Please share an email address that we may contact you at in the future.

Attorney General Clark Announces $3.1 Million Settlement with Johnson & Johnson Over Talc Products Potentially Containing Asbestos

Date
June 11, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that Vermont will receive $3.1 million over the next four years from Johnson & Johnson to resolve allegations related to the marketing of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and body powder products that contained talc, which often contained asbestos. Today’s settlement is the result of a four-year, multistate investigation involving 42 other attorneys general. The total nationwide settlement amount is $700 million.

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