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Press Releases

Bennington County Resident Arrested for Prescription Fraud

Date
March 18, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Dr. Catherine A. Cech, 64, of Arlington, Vermont, was arraigned today on one felony count of Prescription Fraud. The charge brought against Dr. Cech is the result of an investigation, including the issuance of subpoenas and interviews conducted by the Secretary of State’s Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Vermont Joins Lawsuit Against Amazon for Illegally Maintaining Monopoly Power

Date
March 15, 2024

Vermont has joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its state partners in the lawsuit against Amazon.com. The lawsuit, which was initially filed in September 2023 and yesterday amended to include Vermont, alleges that the online retail and technology company is a monopolist that uses a set of interlocking anticompetitive and unfair strategies to illegally maintain its monopoly power.

Windsor County Resident Arrested For Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
March 15, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Paul Frasca, 58, of Chester, Vermont was arraigned today on seven felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse material. The charges brought against Mr. Frasca 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), and included personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Hartford Police Department, and Chester Police Department.

Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for Aggravated Sexual Assault on a Child and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
February 29, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Edwin Read, 31, formerly of Royalton and Barre, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division, after previously pleading guilty to one count of felony Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, one count of felony Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material  – Second Offense, one count of misdemeanor Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registry, and one count of misdemeanor Unlawful Mischief. Mr.

Attorney General Clark Announces Fourth Annual Earth Day Essay Challenge

Date
February 27, 2024

Essay Challenge for Vermont’s 5th and 6th Graders

Attorney General Charity Clark wants to hear young Vermonters’ thoughts on the future of environmental advocacy. For the fourth year in a row, the Attorney General’s Office is holding an Earth Day Essay Challenge for fifth and sixth graders to submit essays on the environment.

Attorney General Clark Leads Coalition in Asking EPA to ‘Pump the Breaks’ on Vehicle Emissions Settlement

Date
February 21, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark has led a coalition of state Attorneys General in filing public comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) latest vehicle emissions settlement regarding “defeat devices” installed in a group of RAM truck models. These devices cause the vehicles to emit much higher levels of air pollution than permitted by the State’s vehicle emissions regulations, giving rise to a series of consumer and environmental claims against the manufacturer, Cummins Inc. The EPA’s $1.5 billion proposed settlement with Cummins Inc.

Waterbury Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
February 8, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Christopher Camp, 32, of Waterbury, Vermont was arraigned on six felony counts and one misdemeanor count of possession of child sexual abuse materials. The charges brought against Mr. Camp are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vermont State Police (VSP) and Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), which includes personnel from the Attorney General’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.

Attorney General’s Office Sues Logger for Consumer Fraud

Date
February 5, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit to hold a logging business accountable for violations of the Vermont Consumer Protection Act. The Attorney General’s Office alleges that Codling Brothers Logging and David, Joe, and Paul Codling have conducted fraudulent business practices in logging in the State of Vermont. In the Complaint, the State alleges that the Codling Brothers used unfair and deceptive practices with at least five Vermont landowners.

Manchester Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
February 2, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Michael Holden, 35, of Manchester, Vermont, was arraigned today on six felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material – Second Offense. The charges brought against the defendant are the result of an investigation conducted by the Bennington Probation & Parole Office and the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Clark Announces Vermont Will Receive $1 Million in Settlement with Marketing Firm Publicis Over Role in Opioid Epidemic

Date
February 1, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that Vermont will receive $1,079,000 as its share of a $350 million national settlement with Publicis Health to resolve investigations into the global marketing and communications firm’s role in the prescription opioid crisis. In agreeing to the terms of the settlement, Publicis recognized the harm its conduct caused.

Attorney General Clark Recognizes “Data Privacy Day,” Joins Legislative Leaders in Promoting Data Privacy Bill

Date
January 26, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark announced the January 28, 2024 celebration of Data Privacy Day, an international effort to raise awareness and promote privacy and data protection best practices. She praised legislative leaders for taking up H.121, a comprehensive data privacy bill, initially spearheaded by her office. H.121 will codify every Vermonter’s right to control the buying, selling, and processing of their personal data, including biometric data.

State Reaches $2.3 Million Settlement to Fund Investigation and Remediation of Former Dry Cleaner Property in Hartford

Date
January 22, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced a $2,350,733 settlement with the estate of a former owner of a dry cleaner site, resolving over a decade of litigation with the State. The settlement resolves claims brought by the Attorney General’s Office on behalf of the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) for remediation of hazardous materials emanating from a former dry cleaner site at 7 Union Street in Hartford, Vermont.

Attorney General Clark Releases Top 10 Scams of 2023

Date
January 11, 2024

Scam reports to the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) totaled 3,212 in 2023. The “computer tech support” scam took the number one spot on the list, totaling almost 25 percent of the top scams reported. Phishing scams involving financial institutions, where a scammer tries to lure victims into clicking malicious links or tricking them into providing sensitive information which can be used to steal money, took the number two spot, accounting for a little more than 11 percent of the top scam reports in 2023.

Attorney General Clark Announces Environmental Highlights of 2023

Date
January 9, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced highlights from the Office’s Environmental Protection Unit during her first year in office.

“Vermont’s natural environment and natural resources are part of who we are as a state. I am proud of my office’s role in upholding Vermont’s environmental laws and protecting our environment for future generations,” said Attorney General Clark.

Fair Haven Police Detective Will Not Be Prosecuted for Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

Date
December 22, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office today announced the conclusion of their independent review of the officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on June 19, 2023, in Fair Haven, Vermont. Attorney General Charity Clark has declined to prosecute Fair Haven Police Detective Shaun Hewitt for charges related to the use of deadly force in a shooting incident involving Kenneth Barber, Jr. The Rutland County State’s Attorney’s Office also declined to prosecute the case after completing its own independent review. 

Gurung Sentenced for First-Degree Murder and Attempted Second-Degree Murder

Date
December 20, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Aita Gurung, 40, has been sentenced to 35 years to life, with 27 years to serve, for the murder of Yogeswari Khadka, and 20 years to life, to run concurrently, for the attempted murder of Tulasa Rimal. Mr. Gurung was found guilty of the charges by a jury on November 3, 2022, following a four-week trial. The Court, Judge John Pacht presiding, sentenced Mr. Gurung following a two-day hearing.

Attorney General’s Office Resolves Allegations of Neglect and Fraud Against Green Mountain Support Services

Date
December 15, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that her office’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) has entered into a civil settlement with Green Mountain Support Services (GMSS), a state-designated special service agency that provides crucial support to developmentally disabled Vermont Medicaid recipients.

Montpelier Resident Arrested for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child

Date
December 14, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Jeffrey Coolidge, 58, of Montpelier, Vermont, was arraigned today on two charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. The charges brought against the defendant are the result of a criminal investigation, including the execution of a residential search warrant, conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Montpelier Police Department.

Attorney General’s Office Files Lawsuit Against Unlicensed Plumber; Alleges Unlicensed Practice and Advertising Violations

Date
November 29, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office filed a complaint earlier this week against Plumb Perfect, LLC, and its owner/proprietor, Stanley Selig. The complaint alleges that Mr. Selig and his business have operated for many years in an unlicensed capacity yet advertise “expert” plumbing services. The State of Vermont requires licensure for plumbers to lawfully operate.

Attorney General Clark and Commissioner Gaffney Announce $595,000 Settlement with Morgan Stanley for Data Security Incidents

Date
November 16, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark and Department of Financial Regulation Commissioner Kevin Gaffney announced today that Vermont, along with five other states, has reached a multistate settlement totaling $6.5 million with Morgan Stanley over two incidents that compromised the personal information of millions of Morgan Stanley customers. Both incidents occurred due to Morgan Stanley’s failure to erase unencrypted data in certain computer devices that were decommissioned, exposing millions of consumers’ personal information left in those devices.

Attorney General’s Office Seeks Stay of Overlapping PCBs Lawsuit Against Monsanto

Date
November 3, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today filed an amicus brief asking a federal court to stay, or temporarily pause, a federal PCB lawsuit brought by a group of schools against Monsanto, after the State had already filed a suit in state court against Monsanto for PCB contamination in Vermont schools. The brief notes that the basis and relief requested in the later-filed federal suit, Addison Central School District et al. v. Monsanto et al., overlaps with the State’s first-filed suit currently proceeding in state court.

Q&A for Schools on State of Vermont's PCB Lawsuit Against Monsanto

Date
November 3, 2023

What is the State’s recent motion to stay and why is it being filed?

The State filed an amicus brief requesting that the federal court issue a stay, or temporary pause, in Addison Central School District et al. v. Monsanto et al. This will not dismiss the Addison case, but allow the State’s case, which was filed first on behalf of all public and independent schools in the statewide testing program, to proceed first in state court.

Guardian and Applied Behavioral Analyst Criminally Charged for Treatment of Vulnerable Adult

Date
October 31, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Kathryn Flynn, 69, of Essex, Vermont, and Yoanna Vaughan, 36, of South Burlington, Vermont, were each arraigned yesterday on charges stemming from the care they provided to a vulnerable adult receiving Medicaid-funded services. The investigation, conducted by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU), began after concerns were raised with authorities about the neglect and abuse of a vulnerable adult for whom Ms. Flynn was the guardian.

Attorney General Clark Sues Meta for Instagram’s Harm to Teens’ Mental Health

Date
October 24, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark has sued Meta to hold the company accountable for its contribution to the mental health crisis that grips teens in America and Vermont. The lawsuit, which targets Instagram, alleges Meta designed Instagram to cause young people to use the platform compulsively and excessively. Meta did this to maximize the time young users spend on the platform in order to maximize the company’s advertising revenue.

Attorney General’s Office Reaches $75,000 Settlement for Timber Trespass at Hazen’s Notch State Park

Date
October 19, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced a $75,000 settlement to resolve claims by the State of Vermont against Thomas Tremonte for civil timber trespass and unlawful mischief on State Park land. The settlement resolves a 2021 case filed by the Attorney General’s Office on behalf of the Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation (FPR) alleging that Mr. Tremonte cut 839 trees without authorization in a designated natural area in Hazen’s Notch State Park. Mr. Tremonte owns land next to the Park.

Vermont To Receive $20K From Settlement with Payment Processor ACI Worldwide Over Unauthorized Mortgage Withdrawals

Date
October 17, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 50 attorneys general from 48 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia in announcing a settlement with payment processor ACI Worldwide over a 2021 testing error that led to the unauthorized withdrawal of $2.3 billion from mortgage-holders nationwide. Under the settlement, ACI will pay a total of $10 million to the states, of which Vermont will receive $20,000, and the company must take several steps to avoid any future incidents.

Attorney General Clark and State’s Attorney DiSabito Decline to Prosecute Morristown Police Officer for Non-Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

Date
October 17, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office and the Grand Isle County State’s Attorney’s Office today announced the conclusions of their independent reviews of the non-fatal officer-involved shooting incident that occurred on April 20, 2023, in Morrisville, Vermont.

AG Clark Announces $3 Million Settlement with Blackbaud Over 2020 Data Breach; Recognizes Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Date
October 5, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark announced today that she, along with 49 other attorneys general, has reached a settlement with software company Blackbaud for its deficient data security practices and response to a 2020 ransomware event that exposed the personal information of millions of consumers across the nation. Under the settlement, Blackbaud has agreed to overhaul its data security and breach notification practices and make a $49.5 million payment to states.

AG Clark Announces Results of Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food Drive

Date
September 29, 2023

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 outcome of the Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food Drive. For the past seven years, legal professionals across the state have come together to run the food drive during Hunger Action Month in September.

Expungement Clinic Set for October 27 to Serve Washington County

Date
September 27, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark, along with Washington County State’s Attorney Michelle Donnelly, will host a free expungement clinic on Friday, October 27, 2023, 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.

Attorney General Clark Secures Settlement with Consumer Leasing Company Tempoe

Date
September 13, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office has reached a settlement with Tempoe, LLC, a company that leases consumer products nationwide. The settlement resolves a multistate investigation which revealed that Tempoe’s marketing and sales practices often misled consumers to believe they were signing up for an installment plan or credit sale when, in reality, they were entering into a lease agreement.

Attorney General Clark Announces 7th Annual Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food and Diaper Drive

Date
August 30, 2023

In its seventh year supporting those in need and the vital work of the Vermont Foodbank, the Vermont Legal Community Fighting Hunger Food Drive will start Friday, September 8th and run until Friday, September 22nd. 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.

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