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Press Releases

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.

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.

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.

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.

Mental Health Service Providers Accused of Defrauding Vermont Medicaid

Date
June 3, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that it has filed civil enforcement actions against two Vermont Medicaid providers for fraud. The lawsuits, currently pending in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Unit, Civil Division, were investigated and brought by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit (MFRAU) and allege separate violations of the Vermont False Claims Act.

Barre Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

Date
May 30, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Stephen O’Keefe, 78, of Barre, Vermont, was arraigned today on five felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. 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), which included personnel from the Attorney General’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Burlington Police Department.

Attorney General’s Complaint Form for Live Nation and Ticketmaster Investigation

Date
May 23, 2024

The Vermont Attorney General’s Office is investigating Live Nation and Ticketmaster for maintaining a monopoly and stifling competition in the ticketing industry. If you have a complaint about high ticket prices, excessive fees or poor service provided by Live Nation or Ticketmaster, please complete the below complaint form.

Click here to fill out a complaint form.

St. George Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material & Voyeurism

Date
May 22, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Christopher Newhall, 38, of St. George, Vermont, was arraigned today on three felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, two felony counts of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and two misdemeanor counts of Voyeurism. The charges brought against Mr.

Milton Resident Arrested for Voyeurism

Date
May 21, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Jason Heath, 53, of Milton, Vermont, was arraigned today on one misdemeanor count of Voyeurism. The charge brought against the defendant is the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC), Homeland Security Investigations, and the Milton Police Department.

New York Resident Sentenced to Jail for Heroin Possession in Decade-Old Case

Date
May 17, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Maleek S. Drummond, 43, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Addison County, Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one felony charge of Possession of Heroin of 2 grams or more. The Court, Judge John W. Valente presiding, sentenced the defendant according to the parties’ plea agreement to serve a sentence of 10 to 11 months of incarceration.

Burlington Resident Arrested for Attempted Luring a Child

Date
May 16, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Robert Charbonneau, 50, of Burlington, 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 conducted by the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (VT-ICAC) and the Hartford Police Department during which Mr. Charbonneau initiated contact online via Kik messenger with a Hartford Investigator posing as a 14-year-old minor.

Attorney General Clark Thanks Legislature for Explicitly Criminalizing Nonconsensual ‘Deepfake’ Pornography

Date
May 14, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today thanked the Legislature for explicitly codifying the crime of nonconsensual “deepfake” pornography. The change, contained in bill H.878, was added to Vermont’s Revenge Porn Statute and will be making its way to the Governor’s desk. Deepfakes use artificial intelligence to alter photos, videos, or audio to make it look like someone is doing something they are not. Sometimes, so-called “nudification” apps are used to create deepfakes.

Fairfax Resident Arrested for Luring Children

Date
May 9, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Nicholas Badger, 20, of Fairfax, Vermont, was arraigned today on four felony counts of Luring a Child, and one felony count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance. 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) and the Essex Police Department, and including personnel from the Attorney General’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.

Vermont to Receive $67,000 from Settlement with Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T

Date
May 9, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced Vermont’s participation in a multistate settlement with a coalition of wireless carriers AT&T Mobility, Cricket Wireless, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, and TracFone Wireless, Inc. The settlement resolves investigations into deceptive and misleading advertising practices. Vermont will receive $67,237 through this settlement and, nationwide, 50 jurisdictions will receive a total of $10.25 million.

Attorney General Clark Recognizes National Small Business Week

Date
May 3, 2024

As National Small Business Week comes to a close, Attorney General Charity Clark is reminding Vermont’s small businesses of the resources available through her office. Vermont businesses are covered by our state’s consumer protection laws, and the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) can be a helpful resource available to businesses. Through CAP’s free complaint mediation service, the office can help businesses resolve consumer issues. CAP’s Small Business Advocate can also help businesses respond to scams and navigate government programs.

Attorney General Clark Announces $24 Million from Ongoing Settlement with Tobacco Manufacturers

Date
May 1, 2024

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that Vermont received $24,885,098.40 from tobacco manufacturers under the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA). Annually, Vermont receives monies from tobacco manufacturers from the MSA, which resolved the State’s lawsuit filed in the 1990’s. The settlement funds are credited to the State’s Tobacco Fund, and the legislature determines how they are spent.

Attorney General Clark Announces ‘Winner’ of Fourth Annual Earth Day Essay Challenge

Date
April 22, 2024

In celebration of Earth Day, Attorney General Charity Clark today announced the conclusion of the fourth annual Earth Day Essay Challenge for Vermont’s fifth and sixth graders. The annual event began in 2021 with the Attorney General’s Office inviting students to submit essays on the environment and Earth Day. This year’s essay challenge began in February and ran through mid-April.

Rutland Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials

Date
April 12, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Edward A. Curran, 39, of Rutland, Vermont, was arraigned today on five felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against Mr. Curran 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 and Homeland Security Investigations.

South Burlington Man Sentenced to Probation

Date
April 2, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Quang Le, 60of South Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Chittenden Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count of Disturbing the Peace by Use of Telephone or Other Electronic Communications. The Court, Hon. Kevin Griffin presiding, sentenced the defendant by agreement to a 10-year term of probation with conditions that restrict his access to the internet and contact with minors.

Addison County Resident Arrested for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
April 1, 2024

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Robert E. Bowdish, 77, of Weybridge, Vermont, was arraigned today on seven felony and two misdemeanor counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against Mr. Bowdish 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.

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.

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