Tag

Keith Ellison

All articles tagged with #keith ellison

labor-rights2 years ago

"Minnesota Dairy Farm Sued for $3 Million in Wage Theft"

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a $3 million wage theft lawsuit against Evergreen Acres Dairy, alleging the company robbed hundreds of immigrant workers, withheld wages, and provided squalid housing. The dairy farm, owned by Keith Schaefer and his daughter Megan Hill, allegedly falsified records, destroyed timecards, and threatened workers. The workers, who faced hazardous conditions and little oversight, were also tenants of the company without lease agreements. Ellison emphasized the impact of wage theft on both victims and other businesses, and his office is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to protect the workers.

education2 years ago

"Predatory Lender Settles $30M Lawsuit, Providing Debt Relief to Student Loan Borrowers"

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has announced a $30 million settlement with alleged predatory lender Prehired, providing relief to student borrowers. Prehired will refund students' money, void outstanding income shared agreements, and permanently close. The settlement comes after Ellison's previous settlement with student loan debt relief company Network 46, requiring them to pay over $59,000 in refunds.

education2 years ago

Minnesota Attorney General Ellison Provides Further Explanation on Use of Force under SRO Law

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has issued a second legal clarification regarding a law that prohibits certain restraints by school resource officers (SROs). The law bans the use of restraints that restrict breathing, hinder communication, or place pressure on the neck, head, or torso. Ellison clarified that the law still allows for "reasonable force" to prevent injury or death, including physical contact when a student poses a threat to themselves or others. However, nearly 40 law enforcement agencies have suspended their SRO programs due to concerns about liability and potential sanctions. Republican lawmakers and law enforcement groups are urging Governor Tim Walz to call a special session to clarify the law.

legal2 years ago

AG Ellison's Lawsuit Against Fleet Farm Upheld by Federal Court

The U.S. District Court of Minnesota has upheld the entirety of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's lawsuit against Fleet Farm, rejecting the business's motion to dismiss. The lawsuit alleges that Fleet Farm negligently sold guns to straw purchasers, including one used in a deadly shooting. The court found that all of the state's claims were properly pled and not barred by the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). The lawsuit seeks to hold Fleet Farm accountable for the gun purchases and obtain injunctive relief, including strengthened oversight and increased training to prevent sales to straw purchasers.

business2 years ago

State AGs and Keith Ellison express concern over Target's removal of Pride products.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and 14 other attorneys general expressed concern in a letter to Target CEO Brian Cornell about the store's removal of some of its Pride products. While they offered support for Target's intention to keep its workers safe, they questioned if Target gave in to threats. Target had pulled an unspecified number of products from its shelves after facing "confrontational behavior" at its stores and threats of violence on its customer hotline.

law-and-politics2 years ago

"Keith Ellison's Book Reveals Behind-the-Scenes of George Floyd Trial"

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has written a book about his experience directing the prosecution of former police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd. Titled "Break the Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence," the book is a trial diary of sorts, documenting the landmark national trial and Ellison's early roots as a civil rights lawyer in Minnesota. The book aims to be both a historical account and a guide to officials when faced with a case of police misconduct.

automotive2 years ago

Coalition of AGs and States Call for Recall of Kia and Hyundai Vehicles Over Thefts and Faulty Parts

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is among 17 attorneys general calling for a recall of all Kia and Hyundai vehicles with a defect that makes them prone to theft. The defect is found in models built with key-switch ignitions from 2011 to 2022. Car thieves’ exploitation of the design flaw, which went viral on social media, has led to an 893% increase in Kia and Hyundai thefts in Minneapolis and a 611% increase in St. Paul over the past year. The attorneys general claim the vehicle manufacturers have not done enough to fix vehicles without engine immobilizers.

legal-settlement2 years ago

Minnesota settles $100M lawsuit against Juul and Altria over teen e-cigarette marketing.

Juul and Altria have settled a case with the state of Minnesota, which sued the companies in 2019 for designing products that appeal to youth and get them addicted to nicotine. The state claimed that Juul failed to verify its customers’ ages and ignored children buying and using its products, while Altria supported Juul’s marketing. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed yet, but the state attorney general's office said it will be announced soon. Juul has settled with 48 states and territories, providing over $1 billion to participating states to combat underage use and develop cessation programs.

crime2 years ago

AG Ellison takes over Zaria McKeever murder case following family outcry.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty criticized Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison for taking over the case of Zaria McKeever's killing from her office. Moriarty had offered plea deals to the two juveniles accused in McKeever's killing, which was criticized by McKeever's family and Ellison. Moriarty defended her decision, citing the science of juvenile behavior and the potential trauma the 15-year-old would face in prison. The case was assigned to Ellison's office after he requested it, and Walz used his executive authority to make the assignment.

crime2 years ago

Minnesota AG takes over Zaria McKeever murder case after county offers plea deals.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has assigned the case of Zaria McKeever's death to the state's attorney general, Keith Ellison, after Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty offered plea deals to two juveniles accused of killing McKeever. Ellison disagreed with the plea deals and requested the case be assigned to his office. Moriarty criticized the decision, saying it undermines the constitutional authority of elected prosecutors. Ellison said accountability for the seriousness of the crime has been missing in the case.

crime2 years ago

AG Ellison Takes Over Prosecution of Zaria McKeever Murder Case

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has assigned the state's top prosecutor, Attorney General Keith Ellison, to handle the case of Zaria McKeever, who was shot and killed in a Brooklyn Park apartment in November 2022. Two adults and two juveniles agreed to plead guilty to McKeever's death after Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty offered plea deals to keep them in the juvenile system rather than adult court. Moriarty's move drew criticism from many in the community, and the Minnesota Police Association called for state intervention. Ellison requested the assignment, which Walz granted, citing the strong opposition of McKeever's family and the community to the plea deals. Moriarty called Ellison's request "deeply troubling," adding that it "should alarm prosecutors across the state."