Attorney General Griffin announces plan to honor Arkansas D-Day "Band of Brothers" hero SSG Denver "Bull" Randleman with statue in Downtown Little Rock using private funds

Griffin: ‘I can think of no better person to sculpt and honor Denver Randleman than Kevin Kresse’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing plans to erect a statue in downtown Little Rock honoring Arkansas native Staff Sergeant Denver “Bull” Randleman, who participated in the D-Day invasion as a member of Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division that was portrayed in the book-turned-miniseries “Band of Brothers:”

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“It is past time that we honor the selfless service of Staff Sergeant Denver Randleman, and today I am announcing that acclaimed sculptor Kevin Kresse has agreed to sculpt a statue that will honor Staff Sergeant Randleman and be placed in downtown Little Rock near the new home of the Office of the Attorney General. Kevin’s talent for capturing the spirit of his subjects through posture, expression, and countless other details is extraordinary, and his work was recently heralded for his statue of Johnny Cash, which now sits in the United States Capitol. I can think of no better person to sculpt and honor Denver Randleman than Kevin Kresse.

“Preserving Staff Sergeant Randleman’s legacy through this statue will add to the quality of downtown Little Rock, and it will call attention not just to this single man but to all of Arkansas’s military heroes, particularly those who served in World War II.”

Randleman was born in Rector and died in 2003 in Texarkana, Arkansas, where he is buried.

Staff Sergeant Randleman’s service in Europe after the D-Day invasion was immortalized in Stephen Ambrose’s book “Band of Brothers,” which later was developed into an award-winning miniseries by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, in which Randleman was portrayed by actor Michael Cudlitz.

The statue is being funded completely with private funds.

Attorney General Griffin and 30-state coalition announce opioid settlement with Kroger

Griffin: ‘I am grateful to the bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general who worked together on behalf of their citizens to hold Kroger accountable’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that Arkansas will receive up to $13,535,086.30 as its share of a $1.37 billion settlement with Arkansas, 29 other states, and Kroger over its role in the opioid crisis:

“Opioid addiction continues to be a scourge in Arkansas and our nation. I am pleased with this settlement as the funds will go to opioid abatement. I am grateful to the bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general who worked together on behalf of their citizens to hold Kroger accountable.”

Arkansas’s share will be paid over 11 payments through 2034. Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions.

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Between 2006 and 2014, Arkansas was flooded with almost 1.5 billion units of addictive opioids. By 2016, Arkansas had the second-highest opioid prescription rate in the nation, with 114.6 opioids being dispersed for every 100 Arkansans.

In November 2023, Griffin announced a grant of $50 million of the state’s opioid settlement funds to help establish the National Center for Opioid Research & Clinical Effectiveness (NCOR) at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

To read the settlement, click here.

Attorney General Griffin launches "One Pill Can Kill," an initiative to combat fentanyl on college campuses

Griffin: ‘The training and resources offered by the One Pill Can Kill initiative will save lives’

FAYETTEVILLE – Attorney General Tim Griffin today at the University of Arkansas issued the following statement announcing “One Pill Can Kill,” an initiative to educate college students about the dangers of fentanyl and give them tools to combat it:

“Fentanyl is a scourge on our society, and it disproportionately impacts our young people. One Pill Can Kill is a multifaceted initiative to help protect college students from the risk of opioid overdose.

“As part of the initiative, student leaders are being educated about the dangers of fentanyl, and they’re being trained to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, how to administer naloxone to treat someone experiencing an overdose, and how to use testing strips to ensure that medications or beverages have not been laced with fentanyl.

“Using state opioid settlement funds, I am providing harm-prevention kits—which include fentanyl testing strips, a naloxone ‘vending machine,’ and funding the student training.

“This initiative will be statewide, but we are starting at the University of Arkansas campus here in Fayetteville. I am extremely grateful for the cooperation and support of Chancellor Charles Robinson and university staff. The training and resources offered by the One Pill Can Kill initiative will save lives.”

University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson provided this statement:

“Fentanyl overdoses are claiming the lives of far too many young Arkansans, and with the support of Attorney General Griffin, the University of Arkansas is fully committed to educating and equipping our community to confront this crisis head-on. As this initiative expands to colleges and universities throughout the state, its impact will multiply, offering life-saving knowledge and tools to thousands more young Arkansans.”

To learn more about Arkansas’s One Pill Can Kill initiative, visit www.arkansasag.gov/OnePillCanKill.

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Attorney General Tim Griffin announces $1 Million cybersecurity grant to the University of Arkansas Little Rock

Griffin: ‘When it comes to cybersecurity, we are only as strong as our weakest link’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing a $1 million grant to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock to establish a Cyberspace Operations Research and Education (CORE) Center:

“When it comes to cybersecurity, we are only as strong as our weakest link. UA Little Rock is providing a shield and sword for Arkansans as one of the nation’s top cybersecurity programs. Its faculty is focused on providing real-world knowledge to its students. The CORE Center will enhance the program’s ability to produce well-prepared students who will, in turn, protect our citizens and their businesses, and join the fight against foreign and domestic adversaries in cyberspace.”

UA Little Rock Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Dr. Ann Bain provided this statement:

“This funding and support are not merely investments in our programs; they are investments in the security and prosperity of Arkansas. With this backing, we are able to educate and prepare the cyber experts who will protect our state’s infrastructure, businesses, and communities for years to come.”

UA Little Rock Associate Professor Dr. Phillip Huff provided this additional statement:

“We are deeply committed to driving cybersecurity education forward—not only for our students’ futures but for the protection and prosperity of Arkansas. We are grateful to Attorney General Tim Griffin because this support will help ensure that UA Little Rock remains a leader in this vital field and that Arkansas businesses, communities, and critical infrastructure are equipped to meet future cybersecurity challenges head-on.”

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin

Attorney General Griffin joins 26-State coalition supporting Virginia's right to remove citizens from voting rolls

Griffin: ‘The fundamental right of voting belongs to citizens, not non-citizens’

FAYETTEVILLE – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after joining with Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach and 24 other state attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court supporting Virginia’s lawful removal of non-citizens from its voter rolls:

“The National Voter Registration Act, passed by Congress, says that the fundamental right of voting belongs to citizens, not non-citizens. Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution explains that the States have the primary authority over election administration, specifically the ‘times, places and manner of holding elections.’

“This is why I have joined this amicus brief in support of Virginia’s right to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls ahead of the upcoming election. The Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to prevent Virginia from implementing its own law—a law utilized by governors of both parties—is nothing more than a crass election-eve effort that instills confusion in the voting process.”

The Kansas-led brief also includes Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

To read the brief, click here.

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Arkansas Attorney General Griffin announces Medicaid fraud arrest

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing the arrest of Victoria Smith-Williams, 36, of Conway on one count of Medicaid fraud, a Class B Felony:

“Working as a dental assistant while concurrently billing the state Medicaid program for the same hours worked is an affront to the hardworking taxpayers of our state. I will continue fighting against this type of fraud and holding people accountable for trying to take advantage of the state.

“I thank Chief Investigator Gregory McKay in my office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit for his diligence in securing this arrest. I am also grateful to the Arkansas State Police for its assistance along with Sixth Judicial Prosecutor Will Jones, who has appointed Senior Assistant Attorney General Leigh Patterson to be the special deputy prosecutor in this case.”

Smith-Williams was arrested on October 17. While employed as a dental assistant, Smith-Williams submitted timesheets for Medicaid services purportedly rendered at the same time. She billed the state $18,000 for comprehensive community support services that were never rendered to Medicaid recipients. She was booked at the Pulaski County Regional Detention Facility and is currently free on $10,000 bond.

Arkansas Attorney General Griffin co-leads 25-state coalition in letter expressing concern over antisemitism at Columbia University amid calls for divestment from Israel

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement that he and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson have sent a letter on behalf of 23 other state attorneys general to Columbia University about the rise of antisemitism on its campus from groups promoting boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) against Israel:

“Since the Hamas attack on Israel last October, antisemitism has grown on university campuses, including Columbia University. Earlier this month, one Columbia anti-Israel student group advocating divestment rescinded its apology of a member’s remark about killing Zionists.

“In spite of antisemitic protests on its campus, Columbia has held the line against the BDS movement and should be commended for it. Our coalition urges Columbia to continue this position in the face of antisemitism from pro-Palestinian student groups while balancing student speech rights.”

In August, Griffin led a coalition of 24 state attorneys general in a letter urging Brown University to reject a proposal that the university divest from certain companies because they do business with Israel, thus triggering anti-BDS laws in several states. On October 9, the Brown Corporation announced that it rejected the proposal backed by student protestors who demanded the vote as a condition to disperse.

To read the letter, click here.

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Attorney General Tim Griffin joins FCC and National Coalition warning suspected Florida-based robocall operation

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force, of which Griffin is a member, issued a warning letter to Florida-based gateway voice service provider iDentidad Advertising Development:

“This company routed dozens of illegal robocalls earlier this year, most of which originated outside the United States. Many of the calls impersonated government entities or were utility or financial scams. The letter our task force sent today sends a clear message to iDentidad: stop this illegal activity now or face legal action.

“I am committed to protecting Arkansans from illegal robocalls.”

The task force noted that iDentidad received nearly 200 traceback notices for calls the company routed to the U.S. telephone network that mostly came from outside the country. Most of these calls were illegal or part of suspicious robocall campaigns. The Federal Communications Commission also demanded that iDentitad cease and desist its activities involving illegal robocall campaigns.

To read a copy of the warning letter, click here.

Federal Trade Commission - How to Avoid Phone Scams

Office of Solicitor General wins 2024 United States Supreme Court Best Brief Award

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Office of Solicitor General—a division of the Office of the Attorney General—was recognized with a 2024 United States Supreme Court Best Brief Award from the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG):

“Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni, Deputy Solicitor General Dylan Jacobs, and Senior Assistant Solicitor General Asher Steinberg have been awarded a 2024 United States Supreme Court Best Brief Award by NAAG for their multistate brief in Muldrow v. St. Louis, which addressed the proper legal standard for Title VII claims.

“This award confirms what I already knew: Arkansas’s Solicitor General team—attorneys and support staff—is among the very best anywhere and have earned respect and accolades nationally for their excellence. I am proud to work with them every day and appreciate their dedication to mission, keen insight and mastery of the law.”

The Best Brief Awards are given annually in recognition of excellence in brief writing in the United States Supreme Court. The awards honor appellate practitioners from state attorneys general offices, who collectively handle more United States Supreme Court cases than almost anyone else in the legal community.

The winners were selected by a panel of independent United States Supreme Court experts who are experienced United States Supreme Court practitioners.

To read a copy of the award-winning brief, click here.

For a printer-friendly version of this release, click here.

L-R Bronni, Jacobs, Steinberg

State IT chief: Maintain ‘maniacal focus’ on cybersecurity

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Individuals and entities should have a “maniacal focus” on cybersecurity, which includes having strong passwords and backing up data regularly, according to Gary Vance, chief information security officer with the Arkansas Division of Information Systems.

Vance was part of a panel discussion Tuesday (Oct. 8) on the second day of the two-day 2024 Cybersecurity Summit presented by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin and the Forge Institute. The first day’s speakers included Jen Easterly, director of the federal government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Vance and James Gentry, Fort Smith’s chief information officer, emphasized the importance of having complex, unique passwords for each site one visits. Gentry said he has 400-500 passwords organized through an encrypted password manager, an application that can be obtained at an app store. Vance said complex passwords close the door on bad actors trying to assess a user’s data.

State IT chief: Maintain ‘maniacal focus’ on cybersecurity

Former El Dorado mayor arrested on theft charge

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after special agents in his Public Integrity Unit arrested former El Dorado Mayor Veronica Creer on one count of theft of property, a C Felony:

“In October 2023, Veronica Creer closed out the bank account of El Dorado Crime Stoppers, a nonprofit organization for which she had previously been a board member. She withdrew all $23,544 in the account in the form of a cashier’s check, and a few months later she had the check redirected to another nonprofit, Parents United Against Youth Violence. Ms. Creer had not been active as a member of El Dorado Crime Stoppers’ board since 2016, though she was still listed as a signatory on the organization’s bank account. Her decision to withdraw the money and direct it to a different organization was not approved by anyone but her.

“Upon learning of Ms. Creer’s actions, the El Dorado Police Department notified Jeff Rogers, Prosecuting Attorney for the 13th Judicial District, who subsequently asked my office’s Public Integrity Unit to investigate. Special agents in my office arrested Ms. Creer this afternoon, and she was processed in Union County, where she will stand trial. The Special Prosecutions Division of my office will handle the case.

“I appreciate the work done on this case by my office and the El Dorado Police Department, and the cooperation of Prosecuting Attorney Rogers. We are all equal under the law, and I will continue to enforce the law.”

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Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin co-leads challenge to federal rule that would reduce monitoring of prisoners' calls

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after he and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita filed a lawsuit on behalf of Arkansas, Indiana, and 12 other state attorneys general challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new rule that regulates phone service providers in prisons:

“The FCC can’t dictate to Arkansas prisons how they negotiate cost-sharing agreements with service providers, and it can’t arbitrarily and capriciously pre-empt state laws regulating prison operations. Funds derived from inmate phone use go toward covering needed security measures. Without proper security measures, what would stop inmates from conducting criminal operations over the phone? The FCC’s regulations are disconnected from the economic and practical reality of providing communication services to inmates, and they exceed the FCC’s statutory authority.

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“If these regulations go into effect, no one will benefit because prisons won’t be able to provide adequate security for phone calls prisoners make, and prisons may simply discontinue existing communication services, which means inmates won’t be able to make calls at all.”

Prisons negotiate contracts with communications service providers based on rate caps set by the FCC and use their portion of the revenue from these contracts to fund security measures and services that benefit inmates, including access to online legal libraries and remote religious services. The FCC’s new rule drastically reduces the rate caps, thereby making it nearly impossible for prisons to continue to invest in security measures to monitor calls.

Joining Griffin and Rokita on the lawsuit were the attorneys general of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia.

To read a copy of the complaint, click here.

Arkansas Attorney General Griffin announces lawsuit against Google, YouTube, and parent company Alphabet

Griffin: ‘YouTube has profited substantially off young Arkansans because it deliberately designed its platform to be addictive’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that he has filed a lawsuit in Phillips County Circuit Court against Google LLC, YouTube LLC, XXVI Holdings, Inc., and parent company Alphabet, Inc. for engaging in deceptive and unconscionable trade practices in violation of the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA):

“YouTube has deceived users and parents about the safety of its platforms for youth. YouTube has profited substantially off young Arkansans because it deliberately designed its platform to be addictive by using features to keep users engaged for as long as possible.

“Google has deliberately designed and marketed YouTube to exploit and addict young users, contributing to a mental health crisis in Arkansas. The majority of children aged 13 to 17 report using YouTube every day.

“One of the gravest public health threats to children in the United States today is the soaring rate of mental and behavioral health disorders, including depression, self-harm, body dysmorphia, and increased suicidal thoughts and attempts at suicide. This increase in mental health problems among children is the result of calculated efforts by social-media companies like YouTube to attract and addict youth to their platforms and to grow revenues without regard for the harmful effects that these companies know exist.”

This lawsuit continues Griffin’s commitment to protect children and families from the dangers of social media. In 2023, Griffin sued Facebook, Instagram, Meta, and TikTok for deceiving users and parents about the safety of their apps. Earlier this month, Griffin joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 other attorneys general in sending a letter urging Congress to pass legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning label on all algorithm-driven social-media platforms.

For a copy of the lawsuit, click here.

Attorney General Griffin secures Arkansas Supreme Court dismissal of driver's license gender identification lawsuit

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after the Arkansas Supreme Court entered an order in Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration v. Gallagher dismissing the lawsuit challenging the department’s emergency rule on driver’s license gender identification:

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“I am pleased that the Arkansas Supreme Court granted my motion to dismiss this lawsuit against the Department of Finance and Administration, which has brought its driver’s license gender identification rule into compliance with the law. The Department’s rule must comply with state law, therefore, today’s order is a win for the rule of law.

“I congratulate Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni and Deputy Solicitor General Dylan Jacobs on their successful efforts in this matter.”

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Attorney General Griffin's Family Dollar rat infestation lawsuit to proceed

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after a Pulaski County Circuit judge yesterday denied a motion to dismiss Griffin’s lawsuit against Family Dollar for violating the Arkansas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (ADTPA):

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“I applaud the court’s decision to permit this case to proceed. Family Dollar knew about the prevalent rodent infestation in its West Memphis distribution center and failed to warn Arkansas consumers that the goods they were purchasing had been exposed to thousands of rodents. I will continue to vigorously pursue this matter to hold Family Dollar accountable for these unconscionable acts.”

Between 2020 and 2022, Family Dollar’s West Memphis distribution center had a massive rodent problem. Between March 2021 and January 2022, 3,400 rodents were removed after state and federal inspectors intervened. The Office of the Attorney General sued Family Dollar for multiple violations of the ADTPA as well as negligence, strict liability, and unjust enrichment.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas accepted a guilty plea from Family Dollar in a federal criminal case related to rat infestation. Part of the plea agreement was a fine and forfeiture of more than $41 million.

To read the ruling, click here.

For a printer-friendly version of this release, click here.

Attorney General Tim Griffin joins bipartisan call on Congress to require Surgeon General warning for social media platforms

Griffin: ‘As the father of two teenagers myself, my interest in this issue goes beyond policy. It’s personal. We must protect our kids from the dangers that exist online’

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after he and 41 other attorneys general sent a letter urging Congress to pass legislation requiring a U.S. Surgeon General warning label on all algorithm-driven social media platforms:

“Social media platforms have become part of everyday life for most Americans, but it’s no secret that their algorithms are inherently addictive and can have devastating impacts on young people. That’s why I joined a bipartisan coalition of attorneys general in support of the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent call for Congress to require that a warning be placed on all algorithm-driven social media platforms.

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“The responsibility for protecting children begins and ends with parents, but we can all do more. As the father of two teenagers myself, my interest in this issue goes beyond policy. It’s personal. We must protect our kids from the dangers that exist online, including algorithms that entice them to consume unhealthy amounts of content that degrades their mental health.

“A Surgeon General’s warning on social media platforms isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a step in the right direction toward keeping our kids safe in digital spaces.”

Last year Arkansas was among the first states to file lawsuits against TikTok and Meta for deceiving consumers and pushing their addictive and harmful algorithms to minors. As noted in today’s letter to Congress, since Arkansas filed its lawsuits in the spring of 2023, a total of 45 states have now filed or joined similar lawsuits.

The letter was co-led by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, and Tennessee. In addition to Arkansas, joining in signing the letter were the attorneys general of Alabama, American Samoa, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

To read the letter, click here.

To download a PDF copy of this release, click here.

Seven-Ag coalition secures temporary restraining order against Biden-Harris Administration's latest attempt to unlawfully cancel student loans

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia granted a request by a seven-state coalition of attorneys general for a temporary restraining order against the U.S. Department of Education’s latest unlawful attempt to cancel student loans:

“The Biden-Harris administration keeps trying to go around Congress, and they keep losing. This is the third attempt this administration has made to unilaterally erase student debt on the backs of taxpayers who either paid back their student loans or never took one out.

“I am proud to stand with my colleagues from Missouri, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Dakota and Ohio to stop the election-year theatrics of the Biden-Harris administration and remind the administration once again that only Congress has the authority to change the law. I look forward to continuing this fight in court.”

The temporary restraining order was granted after the court found that “Plaintiffs have obtained documents revealing the Secretary [of Education] is implementing this forgiveness plan … without publication and has been set on doing so since May.”

The court scheduled a hearing in the case for Wednesday, September 18.

To read a copy of the court’s order, click here.

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Arkansas AG rejects proposed education constitutional amendment for 2026 ballot

KUAR | By Antoinette Grajeda / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas’ attorney general on Thursday rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would require identical standards for public and private schools that receive state funding.

In his six-page opinion, Attorney General Tim Griffin said he could not certify the proposal because the submission did not include the full text of the measure as required by law.

“Thus, a failure to submit the proposed amendment’s full text in compliance with A.C.A. § 7-9-107 makes it impossible for me to determine whether your proposed popular name and ballot title are misleading,” Griffin said.

Arkansas AG rejects proposed education constitutional amendment for 2026 ballot

Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate

For AR Kids spokesperson Bill Kopsky talks about why the group’s constitutional amendment initiative came up short of the required number of signatures during a press conference at Arkansas Public Policy Panel offices in Little Rock on Friday, July 5, 2024.

Attorney General Tim Griffin leads bipartisan coalition securing nationwide $190 Million unclaimed property settlement with Delaware

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement announcing that Arkansas, Pennsylvania, California, Texas, and Wisconsin—on behalf of a bipartisan coalition of 30 states—have agreed to a settlement with officials from Delaware to end the outstanding damages phase of an unclaimed property dispute won by Arkansas before the United States Supreme Court in 2023:

“This settlement concludes nearly eight years of litigation over unclaimed Official Checks and returns more than $190 million to the people of Arkansas, our coalition partners, and other states. I’m proud of our work on this important case, and I’m grateful to our coalition partners—particularly the attorneys general of California, Texas, and Wisconsin, and attorneys for Pennsylvania—for their hard work on this matter.

“I want to express my appreciation to Solicitor General Nicholas Bronni, who argued the case before the United States Supreme Court. I look forward to reuniting the people of Arkansas with their money.”

The settlement effectively ends the remaining damages phase of the consolidated actions Delaware v. Pennsylvania and Arkansas v. Delaware. Arkansas’s share of the settlement totals $761,907.91 plus interest earned and expenses.

In February 2023, the United States Supreme Court unanimously agreed with Arkansas’s arguments in Arkansas v. Delaware, which centered on which state is entitled to take custody of funds payable on unclaimed official checks sold by MoneyGram, a money transfer services company that operates in all 50 states and internationally.

In 2016, Arkansas brought an original jurisdiction action in the Supreme Court seeking more than $250 million in unclaimed funds from uncashed MoneyGram official check products that were wrongly handed over to Delaware.

Under the Federal Disposition Act, proceeds on unclaimed money orders, traveler’s checks, and similar items must be turned over to the state where the item was purchased. Yet since 2005, MoneyGram has turned those funds over to Delaware, as its state of incorporation.

In the opinion issued by Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, a unanimous court agreed that those funds are governed by the Federal Disposition Act and that MoneyGram should have turned those funds over to Arkansas and its coalition partners, not Delaware. As a result of that opinion, since February 2023, MoneyGram has been required to report sums on unclaimed unofficial checks to the state of purchase and funds associated with instruments purchased in Arkansas have been deposited with the Auditor of State’s unclaimed property fund.

The settlement resolves what happens with money deposited with Delaware prior to the Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion. Under the terms of the settlement, Delaware will transfer more than $102 million of the property that MoneyGram reported to Delaware from 2011 to 2017 to the coalition states, based on each monetary instrument’s place of purchase. Delaware’s transfer represents roughly half of the report years disputed in the litigation.

In addition, approximately $89 million deposited by MoneyGram in a litigation escrow account from 2018 to 2022, plus interest earned, will be distributed among all 50 states based on each instrument’s place of purchase. The coalition states will receive nearly $55 million, plus interest earned, from the escrow account.

States will assume custody and responsibility to return any property received under the terms of the settlement or from the escrow account to the owners, including paying any claims of property. The settlement and escrow funds will be deposited with the Auditor of State’s unclaimed property fund, where they can be reclaimed by Arkansans.

To read the Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion, click here.

To read the agreement, click here.

For a printer-friendly version of this release, click here.

Arkansas Attorney General Griffin leads 26-state amicus supporting West Virginia Title IX appeal to U.S. Supreme Court

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after filing an amicus brief on behalf of himself and 25 other state attorneys general calling on the United States Supreme Court to take up West Virginia’s appeal of a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s law protecting girls’ sports:

“Like Arkansas, West Virginia has a strong interest in safeguarding the benefits of equal access to athletic opportunities for women and girls. They deserve the opportunity to shine on a level playing field. Biological males should not be robbing females of their opportunity to compete for athletic accolades or scholarships, nor should they be threatening the safety of women in competition. I will continue fighting to protect girls’ sports teams and the opportunities of female athletes.”

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit blocked West Virginia’s “Save Women’s Sports Act,” which bans male athletes from playing on girls’ sports teams, saying the law violated Title IX. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court to hear his appeal.

Griffin is leading the amicus brief with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall supporting the West Virginia appeal. They are joined by the state attorneys general of Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

To read the brief, click here.

For a printer-friendly version of this release, click here.