Press Releases

Federal Judge Orders 18 Federal Agencies to Give Employees Their Jobs Back by Monday 

A federal judge in the United States District Court for Maryland issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) for 18 federal agencies, ordering them to stop the illegal mass layoffs of federal probationary employees and to reinstate fired employees by 1:00 pm on Monday, March 17, 2025. 

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education (“Education Department”). On March 11, the Trump administration announced that the Education Department would be firing approximately 50 percent of its workforce as part of its goal of a “total shutdown” of the Department.

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of seven attorneys general in issuing the following joint statement in support of efforts in the U.S. Senate to block a partisan continuing resolution (CR):

Attorney General Charity Clark joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general today in filing an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit brought by Perkins Coie, the Seattle law firm targeted by President Donald Trump for representing clients and taking positions disfavored by the president. President Trump’s executive order, “Addressing Risks from Perkins Coie LLP,” is the subject of the lawsuit.

Clark to Discuss Her Lawsuits Against the Trump Administration, Answer Questions

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Adam Terry, 31, of Monkton, Vermont, was arraigned today on one count of felony Aggravated Sexual Assault, one count of misdemeanor Lewd-Lascivious Conduct with Child, two counts of felony aggravated sexual assault, one misdemeanor count of Lewd-Lascivious Conduct with Child, and one count of felony sexual assault. The charges brought against Mr. Terry were the result of an investigation conducted by the Vergennes Police Department.

Sixth Lawsuit Brought by AG Clark Against the Trump Administration

Today, Attorney General Clark joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in issuing guidance to help K-12 schools, colleges and universities understand the legality, viability and importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies and practices in education.

Office Saves and Recovers More Than $2 million for Vermont Consumers

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 22 other attorneys general in filing a second motion for enforcement in their ongoing lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s illegal freeze of federal funding. Despite multiple court orders, the administration has continued to block hundreds of millions of dollars in grants to the states from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Payton Stearns, 25, of Dorchester, Massachusetts, was arraigned today on one felony count of aggravated sexual assault and two felony counts of sexual assault. The charges brought against Mr. Stearns are the result of a criminal investigation by the Thetford Police Department.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Kristen Connolly, 56, of Jeffersonville, Vermont, was sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Lamoille Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to misdemeanor Abuse of a Vulnerable Adult, Driving Under the Influence, and Leaving the Scene of a Crash, and felony Medicaid Fraud.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Lena McKirryher, 60, of Pittsford, Vermont, was arraigned yesterday on two felony counts and two misdemeanor counts of Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult, and one felony count of Medicaid Fraud. The charges brought against Ms. McKirryher are the result of a joint investigation conducted by the office’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit and the Vermont State Police.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Brian Wood, 22, of Hartford, Vermont, was arraigned yesterday on one felony count of Luring a Child.

Essay Challenge for Vermont’s 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders

Attorney General Charity Clark wants to hear young Vermonters’ thoughts on the environment. For the fifth year in a row, the Attorney General’s Office is holding an Earth Day Essay Challenge for Vermont students to submit essays, and this year, the Office is expanding the challenge to include fourth graders.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Robert Bowdish, 78, of Weybridge, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Addison Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The Court, Judge Robert Katims presiding, sentenced the defendant by agreement to eight years of probation with conditions that restrict his access to the internet and contact with minors, and require him to successfully complete sex offender treatment. If Mr.

18 Attorneys General File Amicus Brief in PFLAG v. Trump

Vermont and 22 Other AGs Warn Against Efforts to Defund and Shut Down Consumer Protection Agency

Today Attorney General Charity Clark joins 18 other attorney generals in supporting efforts to overturn President Trump's unlawful refugee ban. Welcoming and offering refuge to families fleeing persecution is a basic American principle, and it's made us stronger. Refugees enrich our economy, our community, and our culture. Embracing them is not only the right thing to do, but also is a sure way to build a brighter future for Vermont.

The amicus brief is available to read here.

Attorney General Clark, along with 10 other state attorneys general, today sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources urging full consideration and support for S.J. Res. 10, which would terminate the national energy emergency declared by President Trump in Executive Order 14156.

A copy of the letter is available here. 

Last week, Attorney General Clark joined a coalition of 15 attorneys general in issuing guidance to help businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations understand the viability and importance of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility policies and practices in creating and maintaining legally compliant and thriving workplaces. 

“If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, that would be illegal.  If a judge tried to command the attorney general in how to use her discretion as a prosecutor, that’s also illegal. Judges aren’t allowed to control the executive’s legitimate power.”  Vice President Vance, February 9, 2025

Attorney General Charity Clark released the following joint statement signed by 10 state attorneys general regarding Vice President Vance’s comments on judicial review made on February 9, 2025:

Vermont and 19 States File Amicus Brief in Federal Court

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 13 state attorneys general in releasing the following statement in response to a preliminary injunction being granted by a federal judge against President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order terminating birthright citizenship:

Attorney General Charity Clark today, along with 13 other state attorneys general, announced the filing of a lawsuit challenging the unlawful delegation of executive power to Elon Musk. The lawsuit argues that President Trump has violated the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution by creating a new federal Department without Congressional approval and by granting Musk sweeping powers over the entire federal government without seeking the advice and consent of the Senate.

Federal Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order against NIH’s Directive to Slash Funding for Cutting-Edge Medical Research at Every U.S. Research Institution 

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Amber Mason, 33, of Bennington, Vermont, was arraigned yesterday on one felony count of Sexual Exploitation of a Child, one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials, and one felony count of Promoting a Recording of Sexual Conduct.           

Coalition of 22 Attorneys General Challenge NIH Funding Cuts for Universities and Research Institutions 

Coalition Files ‘Friend of the Court’ Brief in Unions’ Case

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that a federal judge in the Southern District of New York

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Eric Chambers, 55, of Springfield, Vermont, was arraigned today on six felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials. The charges brought against Mr. Chambers 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, Kansas Bureau of Investigations, Hartford Police Department, and Springfield Police Department.

In light of evidence of the Trump Administration continuing to block state funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, states file motion to enforce existing court order

Preliminary injunction motion highlights the significant threats posed by the Trump Administration’s funding freeze, affecting access to food, healthcare, and crucial services that states provide

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 19 state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop the unauthorized disclosure of Americans’ private information and sensitive data.

Op-Ed by Attorney General Charity Clark

Attorney General Charity Clark announced a settlement with Hearing At Home, LLC partially resolving a dispute over alleged violations of Vermont’s Consumer Protection Act, which prohibits unfair methods in commerce and deceptive acts and practices relating to the sale of over-the-counter hearing aids.

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in releasing the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of the Treasury granting Elon Musk and his so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) staffers access to sensitive payment systems containing Americans’ personally identifiable information:

Attorney General Charity Clark announced her office’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) prevailed in a civil enforcement lawsuit against Phoenix Counseling & Wellness, PLC, and the company’s owner, Lauren Ann LaSante of Poultney, Vermont, for violations of the Vermont False Claims Act, which penalizes knowing or reckless abuse of taxpayer-funded programs.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Matthew Luzzatto, 49, of Colchester, Vermont, was sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count of possession of child sexual abuse material. The Court, David Fenster presiding, sentenced the defendant to one to two years all suspended to be served while on probation supervision until such time that the court orders otherwise. The judge also imposed probation conditions that restrict Mr.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Luke W. Lanfear, 44, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of possession of child sexual abuse material and to a violation of his probation. The Court, John L. Pacht presiding, sentenced the defendant to four to five years, all suspended, except 14 months to serve in a correctional facility, with seven years of probation supervision. The judge also imposed conditions that restrict Mr.

Federal Judge Today Issued Temporary Restraining Order to Restore Funding, Orders Trump Administration Not to Withhold Federal Funding Allocated by Congress

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Katrina LaFoe, 44, of Barton, Vermont, was sentenced for misdemeanor false pretenses resulting from her role in the submission of false timesheets for payments from Vermont Medicaid. The criminal case brought against the defendant is the result of an investigation by the Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) of the Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Kathryn Flynn, 71, of Essex, Vermont, and Yoanna Vaughan, 37, of Colchester, Vermont, have plead guilty to charges stemming from their mistreatment of a vulnerable adult. While Ms. Vaughn pled guilty before Judge Michael Harris and was sentenced on July 30, 2024, and Ms. Flynn pled guilty and was sentenced yesterday before Judge John L. Pacht.

Vermont and 22 Other States Sue to Protect Federal Funding for Health, Education, Law Enforcement, Disaster Relief, and other Essential State Programs from Presidential Overreach

Sackler Family Will Pay Up To $6.5 Billion Over 15 Years; Purdue Will Pay Nearly $900 Million On Court Approval

Attorney General Charity Clark, along with the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington, today issued a joint statement addressing a memorandum from a Trump political appointee at the U.S. Department of Justice addressing state and local involvement in federal immigration enforcement:

The Vermont Attorney General’s Office and the Vermont Human Rights Commission issued the following joint statement affirming their commitment to enforcement of laws protecting Vermonters against discrimination on the basis of gender identity:

Report includes review of 2023 homicides and recommendations to Legislature

Vermont Joins 19 Other States and Jurisdictions in Filing a Lawsuit to Defend Basic Constitutional Right

The Attorney General’s Office announced today that a Chittenden County jury has found Cory Johnson, 38, of South Burlington, Vermont, guilty of the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a toddler. The charge brought against Mr. Johnson was the result of multiple criminal investigations conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.