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Press Releases

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Scam Alert: “Couriers” Come for Cash in Grandchild Imposter Scam

Date
August 4, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark is warning Vermonters that the grandparent scam is on the rise -- and scammers are utilizing new, sophisticated tactics. As typical of this scam, callers claim to be grandchildren in an emergency situation, such as in a car accident, in prison, or at the hospital, and need money to resolve the problem.

Burlington Police Sergeant Will Not Be Prosecuted for Non-Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting

Date
August 3, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office and the Chittenden 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 August 13, 2022, in Burlington, Vermont. Both Attorney General Charity Clark and Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George have declined to prosecute Burlington Police Department Sergeant Simon Bombard for charges related to the non-fatal shooting of David Johnson.

Colchester Resident Arrested for Possession and Production of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
July 17, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office today announced that Andrew Barrows, 22, of Colchester, Vermont, was arraigned on July 14, 2023, on nine felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, one felony count of Use of a Child in a Sexual Performance, and one misdemeanor count of Voyeurism. The charges brought against Mr.

Rescheduled: Expungement Clinic to Serve Windsor County Set for July 28

Date
July 12, 2023

Update: Due to flooding impacting communities across Vermont, the expungement clinic has been rescheduled for Friday, July 28, 2023 from 10:00 to 2:00PM. If you had previously scheduled an appointment, please contact the Attorney General's Office by emailing AGO.Info@vermont.gov or calling 802-828-0033.

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State of Vermont Reaches Global Settlement to Obtain Bar Order in EB-5 Cases

Date
July 5, 2023

The State of Vermont, 64 individual plaintiffs who have sued the State, and the federal receiver for Jay Peak, Inc., et al., have reached an agreement to settle all pending and potential lawsuits against the State related to the eight Jay Peak EB-5 projects. The settlement agreement is conditioned upon entry of a bar order, which must be approved by the court overseeing the Jay Peak receivership before the settlement is finalized.   

Montpelier Man Sentenced for Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult and Medicaid Fraud

Date
June 22, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Jeffrey Kittredge, Sr., 57, of Montpelier, Vermont, was sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Washington Criminal Division, to 3 to 5 years imprisonment with 18 months to serve and the rest suspended, and 5 years of probation, after pleading guilty to one felony count of Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult, and one felony count of Medicaid Fraud.

Vermont Settles with Lingerie Retailer ‘Adore Me’ Over Deceptive Advertising and Billing Practices

Date
June 16, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced a $2.35 million multistate settlement with Adore Me, Inc., a lingerie retailer that primarily sells its merchandise online. The settlement resolves claims that the company deceptively marketed its VIP Membership Program to consumers and then made it difficult for consumers to cancel their memberships.

Former Morrisville Couple Sentenced for Neglecting a Vulnerable Adult and Defrauding Medicaid

Date
June 8, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Joshua M. Jones, 34, of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Britney Spaulding, 34, of Lynchburg, Virginia, both formerly of Morrisville, Vermont, were each sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Lamoille Criminal Division, after pleading guilty to charges related to neglect of a vulnerable adult with death resulting.

Attorney General Clark Reaches $2 Million Settlement with Makers of Suboxone for Alleged Illegal Monopoly Tactics

Date
June 2, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today announced that Vermont has joined 41 other states in reaching a nationwide settlement of $102.5 million with the maker of Suboxone, Indivior Inc. Vermont will receive about $2 million from the settlement, which resolves allegations that Indivior used illegal means to switch the Suboxone market from tablets to film while attempting to destroy the market for tablets to preserve its drug monopoly. Suboxone is a brand name for buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder.

Burlington Resident Charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
May 30, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Steven J. Malaney Jr., 59, of Burlington, Vermont, was arraigned today on four felony counts and one misdemeanor count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. The charges brought against Mr. Malaney 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, Burlington Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Montpelier Residents Charged with Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Date
May 26, 2023

The Attorney General’s Office announced that Robert Bivens, 54, and Andrew Sollace, 41, both of Montpelier, Vermont, were arraigned yesterday on multiple counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. Mr. Bivens was arraigned on two felony counts and three misdemeanor counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. Mr. Sollace was arraigned on four felony counts of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material.

Attorney General Clark Sues Avid Telecom Over Illegal Robocalls

Date
May 23, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today sued Michael D. Lansky, LLC, which does business under the name Avid Telecom, for allegedly initiating and facilitating billions of illegal robocalls to millions of people and violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and other federal and state telemarketing and consumer laws.

Consumer Alert: Vermonters Deceived by TurboTax Will Receive Restitution Checks

Date
May 9, 2023

Vermonters who were misled by TurboTax into paying for free tax services will begin receiving restitution checks in the mail this week as the result of a multistate settlement. The settlement, announced in 2022, applies to certain consumers who paid TurboTax’s owner Intuit to file their federal tax returns for tax years 2016, 2017, and 2018 when they were eligible to file for free through the IRS Free File Program.

Vermont Reaches Settlement with Telehealth Company, Visibly

Date
May 8, 2023

Settlement Prevents Visibly From Misrepresenting Safety or Effectiveness of Vision Tests

The Attorney General’s Office announced that it joined a multistate settlement last month with Visibly Inc, resolving an investigation into deceptive business practices at the online telehealth company. Visibly, formerly known as Opternative Inc., markets and sells an online vision test, among other products.

Statement From Attorney General Clark on the Investigative Report on the Franklin County State’s Attorney

Date
May 5, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark issued the following statement in response to the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs’ investigative report on the Franklin County State’s Attorney, released yesterday:

“I am deeply troubled by the findings that State’s Attorney Lavoie created a toxic work environment. His behavior and comments in a workplace – as described in the report issued yesterday and as he has admitted through press reports – are unacceptable.

Attorney General Clark Continues the Fight to Protect Medication Abortion Access & Reproductive Health Care

Date
May 2, 2023

Vermont joins two amicus briefs in support of access to mifepristone and preventative reproductive health care under Title X

Attorney General Charity Clark continued her efforts to protect medication abortions and reproductive health care yesterday by joining a pair of multi-state actions.

Statement from Attorney General Clark on Supreme Court's Stay Order in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine

Date
April 21, 2023

Tonight, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit regarding the status of the abortion drug mifepristone. The U.S. Supreme Court ordered a stay during the pendency of the appeal in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA. In response, Attorney General Charity Clark issued the following statement:

“Vermonters, tonight’s ruling means there is no change in your ability to receive abortion care in Vermont, including accessing medication abortions using mifepristone.

Statement from Attorney General Clark on U.S. Supreme Court’s Response to Request for Emergency Relief in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine

Date
April 19, 2023

4/19/23 Update: The U.S. Supreme Court extended the stay until Friday, April 21, 2023. Until the Court provides more clarity by then, Vermonters’ access to mifepristone remains unchanged and health care providers may continue treating their patients with mifepristone.

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Attorney General Clark Argues for Continued Medication Abortion Access in Supreme Court Brief

Date
April 14, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a multistate coalition challenging the decision issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that would leave in place restrictions on access to mifepristone imposed by a Texas trial court and restrict access to medication abortion nationwide.

Attorney General Clark Fights Decision to Block Medication Abortion Access

Date
April 10, 2023

Attorney General Charity Clark today joined a multistate coalition to challenge the decision issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas that could restrict medication abortion access nationwide. The amicus brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, urges the court to stay pending appeal of the district court’s ruling, which if allowed to take effect would halt the over two-decades old approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the medication abortion drug mifepristone.

U.S. Attorney, Vermont Attorney General & Rutland Area NAACP to Co-Host Hate-Free Vermont Forum

Date
March 1, 2023

The United States Attorney’s Office, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, and the Rutland Area NAACP will be co-hosting a Hate-Free Vermont Forum in St. Albans on March 13, 2023 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This forum will be the third held in an ongoing series; last year, Hate-Free Vermont Forums took place in Rutland and Bennington.

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