THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS
December 8 to December 12, 2014
TOP HEADLINES
Restoring Public Confidence In Our Criminal Justice System
Joined by a broad coalition of elected officials in New York City, Attorney General Schneiderman outlined an immediate first step toward restoring public trust and confidence in the fairness of reviews of cases involving unarmed civilians killed by law enforcement officers. In a letter sent to Governor Cuomo, Attorney General Schneiderman formally requested that the Governor immediately issue an interim executive order now directing the Office of the Attorney General to investigate and, if necessary, prosecute cases involving unarmed civilians killed by police officers. The Attorney General further discuss the need to address the “crisis of confidence” in our criminal justice system in interviews on Ronan Daily, All In with Chris Hayes, Inside City Hall, Capital Tonight, WNYC and The Capitol Pressroom, and in his op-ed posted on The Huffington Post.
Victory Against Drug Manufacturer’s Scheme To Manipulate Alzheimer’s Patients
This week, a federal court granted a motion filed by Attorney General Schneiderman to stop drug manufacturer Actavis’s plan to discontinue its Alzheimer’s drug Namenda, a scheme that would have blocked competition and maintained its high drug prices for patients. The Attorney General hailed the victory as sending a clear message: “Drug companies cannot illegally prioritize profits over patients.” Learn more about the Attorney General’s case here.
Protecting Internet Privacy
Attorney General Schneiderman reached a $750,000 multistate settlement with digital advertising company PointRoll. The agreement resolves an investigation into whether the company violated consumers’ privacy by unlawfully circumventing the privacy settings in Apple Inc.’s Safari Web browsers. Along with monetary relief, the settlement also ensures the company will implement new, stronger standards to protect users’ privacy.
Taking Action Against Employers Who Violate Child Labor Laws
Attorney General Schneiderman secured the criminal conviction of the owner and manager of a Massena-based restaurant, for violating New York State Child Labor Laws, by instructing a minor employed by the restaurant to clean an industrial machine. While cleaning the machine, the victim’s right arm was severed at the elbow. The defendants will pay more than $13,000 in restitution to the victim and his family as well as unpaid wages to the victim.
Bringing Unlicensed Syracuse Adult Care Facility Into Compliance
Through his settlement with The Inn at Menorah Park, Attorney General Schneiderman has ensured the Syracuse adult care facility, which had been operating as an unlicensed facility, will come into compliance with New York State law and provide the quality of care families and patients expect. The settlement also requires The Inn to create a new $110,000 fund to assist individuals who otherwise would not financially qualify for admission to the facility.
Dutchess County Nurse Arrested For Allegedly Striking Elderly Resident
Attorney General Schneiderman arrested a nurse for allegedly slapping an 83-year-old, wheelchair-bound resident of a Dutchess County nursing home. The nurse, who no longer works at the facility, faces a felony endangerment charge, and up to four years in prison. This arrest is the latest in the Attorney General’s ongoing effort to ensure New York patients have a safe and secure living environment.
Stopping Manhattan Doctor’s Alleged Deceptive Practices
Attorney General Schneiderman reached an agreement with a PATH Medical, a Manhattan doctor’s office, to ensure his patients receive accurate information about their financial responsibility before undergoing medical testing and other services. The settlement with PATH Medical concludes an investigation by the Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau that alleged PATH Medical misrepresented to patients how much of the cost a health insurer was likely to cover, including for the extensive testing PATH Medical routinely conducted on new patients.
In Other News…
In Albany, Attorney General Schneiderman honored some of the recipients of this year’s Lefkowitz Awards, recognizing extraordinary achievements in service to the Attorney General’s Office.
A life was saved on Long Island this week thanks to the quick thinking of a Nassau County police officer equipped with the heroin overdose antidote. The Nassau County Police Department received 1,900 kits through the Attorney General’s COP program.
Have you heard about the Attorney General’s AGScamHelp app, your resource on foreclosure scams in New York?
In the giving spirt? Make sure you check out this tips from the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
A beautiful, snowy evening in our state Capitol.
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