Press Releases

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.

VT-ALERT and the Attorney General’s Office partner to inform the public of scams

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Joshua Pierce, 34, of Northfield, Vermont, was arraigned today on seven felony counts of possession of child sexual abuse materials. The charges brought against Mr.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Edward Andersen, 49, of Essex Junction, Vermont, was arraigned yesterday on one felony count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, one felony count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and two felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Lilac Rain Brown-Fisher, 29, of Essex Junction, Vermont, was sentenced Monday for felony Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult resulting from her theft of valuable heirlooms from elderly and disabled clients at the Maple Ridge Memory Care facility. The Court, Judge John L. Pacht presiding, sentenced Ms. Brown-Fisher to a prison sentence of up to five years, suspended for a term of probation as a result of her prompt acceptance of responsibility.

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.

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.

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. 

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.   

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.

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.

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.

Vermont consumers could be eligible for compensation

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.

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.

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.

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 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:

Amazon Agrees to Enhance Efforts to Prevent Illegal Vaping Sales to Vermont

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.

Attorney General Clark Announces $590,000 Settlement with Marriott over Data Breach

Nationwide multistate settlement amounts to $52 Million

Lawsuit Alleges TikTok Intentionally Hooked Kids While Reaping the Profits from an Illegal Virtual Economy

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 6^th, and run until Friday, September 20^th. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Jeffrey Newbegin, 67, of Derby, Vermont, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials.