Attorney General Rob Bonta
Recent News About Attorney General Rob Bonta
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Attorney General Bonta Supports Delaware’s Early Voting Law Alongside Multistate Coalition
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in backing Delaware’s early voting law. The coalition is supporting Delaware’s election officials in defending a challenge to the state's early voting law in Albence v. Mennella."Early voting is an important and lawful manner of increasing the ability of citizens to participate in our democracy," expressed Attorney General Bonta in a statement.The attorneys general argue in an amicus brief that Delaware’s "election day" provision does not prohibit the state legislature from implementing...
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California Allocates $28.5 Million to Combat Illegal Sale of Tobacco Products to Youth
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the opening of proposals for the 2024-2025 Tobacco Grant Program, which aims to address the illegal sale of tobacco products to minors. With approximately $28.5 million in grant funding available, local agencies are encouraged to apply and utilize the funds to enforce laws related to tobacco sales and marketing.Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of collaboration with local law enforcement to combat the dangers of illicit tobacco products. He stated, "We must continue to enforce California’s laws around...
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Attorney General Bonta Urges Congress to Fully Fund Legal Services Corporation
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in calling on U.S. House and Senate leaders to fully fund the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), a vital resource for providing civil legal assistance to low-income Americans. Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of LSC in ensuring equal access to justice, stating, "The Legal Services Corporation provides on-the-ground legal assistance to Americans experiencing seemingly insurmountable obstacles."Bonta highlighted the diverse range of individuals who benefit from...
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California Department of Justice Investigating Long Beach Police Department Officer-Involved Shooting Under AB 1506
The California Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently investigating an officer-involved shooting (OIS) that took place in Long Beach, California on Friday, April 26, 2024. The incident resulted in the death of one individual. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced this investigation in accordance with Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506).In a statement, Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, "The California Department of Justice, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), is investigating and will independently review an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Long...
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California Attorney General Encourages Participation in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has called on Californians to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this Saturday, April 27, 2024. The initiative, organized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, aims to facilitate the safe and responsible disposal of prescription drugs, including opioids, while raising awareness about the risks associated with prescription drug abuse.In a statement, Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of the event, stating, “Californians can help stop the...
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Attorney General Bonta Highlights Resources for Crime Victims and Survivors
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of supporting victims and survivors of crimes by highlighting resources available through the California Department of Justice's Victims' Services Unit (VSU). Bonta urged service providers and the public to utilize these resources to ensure that crime victims are aware of their rights and the protections available to them in California.Bonta stated, "Victims of crime often struggle to rebuild their lives, and so, it is incumbent on all of us — in particular those of us in positions of power — to have their...
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Attorney General Bonta Commends Guilty Verdict Against Luis Mendez Jr. for Assault With a Deadly Weapon Against a Special Agent
California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the guilty verdict against Luis Mendez Jr. for assault with a deadly weapon against a special agent, following an investigation by the California Police Shooting Investigation Team. Bonta expressed his gratitude towards the agents involved, stating, “Each and every day, special agents from the California Department of Justice put their lives on the line to take illegal firearms off our streets and out of the hands of dangerous individuals. Thankfully, justice was served in this case and I am incredibly relieved that nobody was...
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Attorney General Bonta Announces $4.5 Million Settlement with University of Phoenix for Unlawful Military Student Recruitment Tactics
Attorney General Rob Bonta of California has announced a significant settlement with the University of Phoenix, addressing unlawful military student recruitment tactics employed by the institution between 2012 and 2015. The settlement, amounting to $4.5 million in penalties and additional monetary relief, comes after an investigation revealed violations of California's consumer protection laws.Bonta emphasized the deceptive practices used by the University of Phoenix, stating, "The University of Phoenix used deceptive and unlawful tactics to convince service members to...
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Attorney General Bonta Urges UnitedHealth Group to Help Patients and Providers Impacted by Change Healthcare Cyberattack
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside a bipartisan, multistate coalition of 22 attorneys general, has called upon UnitedHealth Group, Inc. to aid those affected by the recent cyberattack on Change Healthcare.The cyberattack, which occurred on February 21, 2024, caused a catastrophic outage of Change Healthcare, impacting providers, pharmacies, and patients. Attorney General Bonta highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “From disrupting operations of hospitals and medical facilities to significant delays in patient care, cyberattacks on our...
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Attorney General Bonta Announces Prison Sentence Against Alturas Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in MMIP Homicide
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced that 52-year-old Jarrett Bleu Rucker, of Alturas, has been sentenced to 26 years to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Milton “Yogi” McGarva. McGarva, a member of the Pit River Tribe and a victim of the Missing Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis in California, was stabbed to death in Modoc County on March 9, 2020.Attorney General Bonta expressed his thoughts, saying, “Today, I am thinking of the family of Milton ‘Yogi’ McGarva. I can’t begin to imagine what they have been through these past...
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Attorney General Bonta Files Felony Charges Against the Los Angeles Ethics and Integrity Assistant District Attorney
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has taken a strong stance against alleged misconduct within the law enforcement community by filing charges against Diana Teran, the Assistant District Attorney at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s (LADA) Office. Teran has been charged with 11 felony violations of Penal Code section 502, subdivision (c)(2), for the repeated and unauthorized use of data from confidential, statutorily-protected peace officer files.In a statement, Attorney General Bonta emphasized that "No one is above the law." He highlighted the importance of...
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Attorney General Bonta Urges Congress to Expand Access to Reproductive Healthcare Services
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside a coalition of 21 attorneys general, is calling on Congress to pass the Access to Family Building Act to ensure the right to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) nationwide. In a letter to Congress, AG Bonta emphasized the importance of expanding access to ART services in light of recent restrictive reproductive healthcare decisions.“Americans should have the right to choose whether, when, and how to start or expand their families, without government interference,” said Attorney General Bonta. He highlighted the...
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California Attorney General Seeks Permanent Injunction Against School District's Forced Outing Policy
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a motion seeking permanent injunction and declaratory relief against the Chino Valley Unified School District's forced outing policy. The motion aims to prevent the district from reinstating or implementing the discriminatory policy that was detrimental to transgender and gender-nonconforming students.Attorney General Bonta emphasized the importance of protecting students' safety and well-being, stating, "Chino Valley Unified has an obligation to protect the safety and well-being of the students it is charged to serve,...
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Attorney General Bonta Moves to Dismiss Title IX Lawsuit in Light of Release of the Biden Administration’s Final Title IX Rule
Attorney General Rob Bonta, alongside New Jersey Attorney General Mathew J. Platkin and Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle A. Henry, have announced their decision to move for the dismissal without prejudice of the lawsuit Pennsylvania, et al v. Cardona (D.D.C). This lawsuit challenged the Trump administration's rollback of Title IX, with the coalition of 18 attorneys general now seeking dismissal in light of the Biden Administration's release of a new final Title IX rule."I am pleased that the Biden Administration’s rule reverses the severe flaws of the previous rule...
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Attorney General Bonta, Newsom Administration Reach Agreement with City of Malibu on Compliance with State’s Housing Element Law
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, and California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Director Gustavo Velasquez have reached an agreement with the city of Malibu to ensure compliance with the state's Housing Element Law. This settlement will enable Malibu to adopt a housing plan by September 23, 2024, allowing for the development of 79 housing units, 47 of which must be affordable to low- and very low-income households.Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of this settlement, stating, "Our housing laws are not...
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Attorney General Bonta Announces 24 Arrests in Operation Targeting Child Predators
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the arrests of 24 suspects as part of a three-day multiagency operation aimed at targeting child predators in Sacramento County. The operation, named "Spring Cleaning," utilized undercover agents and detectives posing as minors on social media platforms and websites commonly used by predators. The Human Trafficking and Sexual Predator Apprehension Team (HT/SPAT), along with Homeland Security Investigations, collaborated with 21 law enforcement agencies and a total of 90 officers during the operation.Attorney General...
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SB 976 in the LA Times: Social Media Companies Refuse to Safeguard Kids
The LA Times published an op-ed yesterday highlighting the urgent need for Senate Bill 976 (SB 976), The Protecting Our Kids from Social Media Addition Act. SB 976, authored by Senator Skinner (D-Berkeley) and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta, would limit the harms associated with social media addiction, and marks an important continuation of Attorney General Bonta’s commitment to improving child safety online.The op-ed emphasized the reluctance of social media platforms to implement safeguards for children, leading lawmakers to take action. This sentiment was echoed...
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Attorney General Bonta Issues Guidance to Abortion Care Providers Ahead of SCOTUS Oral Arguments
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued guidance to reproductive healthcare providers from states with near-total abortion bans, reminding them of their rights and protections when providing services in California. The guidance comes ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s oral argument in the Idaho v. United States case.Bonta emphasized California's support for providers willing to practice in the state, stating, “From Idaho to Arizona, draconian abortion bans implemented nationwide have put millions of lives at risk... we will ensure that our state continues to be a...
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Attorney General Rob Bonta, Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper Announce 24 Arrests in Child Sexual Predator Operation
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper announced the arrests of 24 suspects as part of a three-day multiagency operation targeting child predators. Operation “Spring Cleaning” utilized undercover agents and detectives posing as minors on social media platforms to apprehend adults seeking to exploit children and victims of sex trafficking.Attorney General Bonta emphasized, “Our determination to fight sexual exploitation and human trafficking remains unwavering because even one person being exploited is unacceptable.” He further stated, “In...
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California Officials and CARB Lead Effort to Defend U.S. EPA’s Vehicle Emission Standards
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Governor Gavin Newsom, and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) are spearheading a coalition of 23 attorneys general and four cities to intervene in defense of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s final rule for light- and medium-duty vehicles emissions standards for model years 2027-2032. The move comes as the rule faces challenges from 25 Republican-led states aiming to hinder efforts to reduce emissions from the transportation sector.Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed his stance on the matter, stating,...