Privacy and consumer protection enforcement actions tracked from official Connecticut Attorney General sources.
Official enforcement page146
Total Actions
$9.1B
Total Fines
The Connecticut Attorney General announced a $100,000 settlement with Spruce Power 3, LLC to resolve an investigation into billing, customer service, and warranty issues stemming from consumer complaints. The settlement includes refunds for improper charges and requires reforms to improve billing practices and response times. Separately, an investigation was initiated into SunStrong Management LLC based on approximately 65 consumer complaints regarding warranty failures, unresponsiveness, and fees.
$100K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to stop new data reporting requirements under IPEDS that demand detailed student information. The coalition argues the requirements are unlawful, arbitrary, and jeopardize student privacy by requesting in-depth data that could lead to inadvertent errors and baseless investigations. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block the implementation of these requirements.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, joined by 17 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to block new IPEDS data reporting requirements that demand student information disaggregated by race and sex. The coalition argues the rushed implementation is unlawful, invades student privacy, and risks unreliable data and baseless investigations. They seek an injunction to halt the data collection and protect student privacy.
PURA preliminarily approved the sale of Aquarion Water Company to a new nonprofit Aquarion Water Authority, expected to double water rates. Attorney General Tong opposes the decision, citing loss of public oversight and high costs to consumers. The conversion removes PURA regulation, placing rate approvals under a board with no history of rejecting hikes.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong secured a $5.1 million financial relief package for tenants of the Concierge Apartments in Rocky Hill following an investigation into unsafe living conditions and landlord mismanagement. The agreement provides cash payments, free rent, and utility waivers to displaced and affected tenants, with a second agreement pending to address long-term accountability and communications.
$5.1M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong submitted testimony in support of genetic privacy legislation that would grant residents exclusive control over their DNA and genetic data. The legislation is inspired by his office's investigation into 23andMe's data breach affecting over six million customers and the company's subsequent bankruptcy. The bill requires express consent for DNA use, imposes security measures, and prohibits marketing use of DNA.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a civil investigative demand into Concierge Apartments management for alleged mismanagement leading to unsafe living conditions, including loss of hot water, ignored work orders, and evacuation orders. The investigation seeks records on tenant complaints, repairs, and documentation of $2 million in repairs promised. The property owner, J.R.K Property Holdings, is a private equity-backed real estate firm with $15 billion in assets.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 48 states and territories in announcing settlements with Lannett Company, Inc. and Bausch Health entities totaling $17.85 million. The settlements resolve allegations that the companies engaged in conspiracies to inflate prices and limit competition for generic prescription drugs. The companies agreed to cooperate in ongoing litigation and implement internal reforms, while a new complaint was filed against Novartis and subsidiaries.
$17.9M
The Connecticut Attorney General and Consumer Counsel announced a settlement with Charter Communications regarding its proposed acquisition of Cox Communications. The settlement includes consumer protections such as billing transparency, service reliability improvements, a $3 million digital access investment, and other commitments. It is pending approval by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority.
The Connecticut Attorney General and Consumer Counsel secured a settlement requiring Charter Communications to adhere to consumer protection commitments as it acquires Cox Communications. The agreement, pending PURA approval, includes pricing transparency, service reliability improvements, a $3 million digital access investment, and compliance with the Connecticut Data Privacy Act. It also maintains a Connecticut workforce and office, and prevents cost pass-through to customers.
Comstar, LLC, an ambulance billing vendor, suffered a data breach in March 2022 that exposed sensitive patient information, including Social Security numbers and medical records, of over 349,000 residents in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The settlement requires Comstar to pay $515,000 and implement enhanced security measures such as phishing protection and annual security assessments.
$515K
The Connecticut Attorney General reached an agreement with Hartford Healthcare to address antitrust concerns in the acquisition of Manchester Memorial and Rockville General hospitals from Prospect Medical. The agreement includes conditions to limit cost increases, waive physician non-compete clauses, and maintain medical staff privileges to protect competition and physician mobility. This resolves the antitrust review under the state's notice of material change statute.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, leading a coalition of 35 attorneys general, urged Meta to enforce its policies against misleading AI-generated weight loss ads on Instagram and Facebook. The ads promote non-FDA approved GLP-1 drugs without disclosing risks and use fake AI content. The coalition demands Meta restrict such ads, require clear risk disclosures, and label AI-generated content.
Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 15 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter to the EPA opposing the Trump Administration's proposal to roll back PFAS reporting requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The coalition argues that the exemptions would shield most manufacturers from reporting critical information about PFAS chemicals, hindering efforts to protect public health and the environment.
Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 states and D.C. in suing the Trump administration to prevent the defunding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The lawsuit argues that the defunding is unlawful and would cripple consumer protection efforts and state enforcement capabilities. The coalition seeks a court order to ensure CFPB continues to receive funding and fulfill its duties.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, along with the FTC and 21 other states and counties, filed a lawsuit against Uber Technologies, LLC and Uber USA, LLC for deceptive practices related to their Uber One subscription service. The lawsuit alleges Uber used negative option marketing, misled consumers about savings, made cancellation difficult, and charged consumers prematurely. The action seeks restitution, penalties, and an injunction under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.
A bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general sent a letter to major AI software companies demanding safeguards to protect users from harmful chatbot interactions. The letter cites multiple incidents of mental health struggles, self-harm, and deaths, particularly affecting children and vulnerable populations. Companies are asked to implement safety testing, recall procedures, and clear warnings by January 16, 2026.
Attorney General William Tong announced Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup, investigating four major voice providers—Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen, and Peerless—for transmitting suspected illegal robocalls. The Anti-Robocall Multistate Litigation Task Force directed these companies to stop such transmissions. Phase 1 already removed 13 companies from the FCC's Robocall Mitigation Database and stopped 19 from appearing in traceback results.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong led a multistate coalition in sending inquiry letters to six major BNPL providers—Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, PayPal, Sezzle, and Zip—seeking detailed information on their pricing, fees, disclosures, and consumer assessment practices to evaluate compliance with consumer protection laws, following the rescission of federal Truth in Lending Act rules for BNPL.
Attorney General William Tong and a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general sent a letter to Congress opposing efforts to ban state AI laws. They argue that state laws are necessary to protect residents from AI harms in the absence of federal protections. The coalition urges Congress to work with them on federal AI protections instead.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a bipartisan coalition of nine states in a $7 million settlement with Greystar Management Services LLC, the largest U.S. landlord, for anticompetitive algorithmic pricing practices. Greystar shared competitively sensitive data with competitors via RealPage's algorithms and discussed pricing strategies, leading to inflated rents. The consent decree prohibits such conduct, requires monitoring if using uncertified algorithms, and bars participation in RealPage competitor meetings.
$7.0M
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court confirmed a $7.4 billion settlement between Purdue Pharma, the Sackler Family, and 55 attorneys general to resolve claims over the opioid crisis. Connecticut will receive up to $64 million for treatment, prevention, and victim support. The settlement bars the Sacklers from selling opioids and requires public disclosure of documents.
$7.4B
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed an expanded complaint against Altice/Optimum Online for deceptive advertising and hidden 'Network Enhancement' fees that collected at least $39.1 million from consumers. The company allegedly misled customers with 'price for life' deals while burying fees in fine print and targeting Spanish speakers with English-only disclosures. The complaint seeks penalties and disgorgement under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, along with California and New York Attorneys General, settled with Illuminate Education, Inc. for failing to protect student data in a breach that exposed personal information of millions of students. The settlement, the first under Connecticut's Student Data Privacy Law, requires Illuminate to pay $5.1 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
$5.1M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is expanding an inquiry into high grocery prices by sending letters to major food distributors and retailers. The inquiry found no evidence of price gouging at the retail level but will now investigate the supply chain for potential unfair profiteering. The AG also cited factors like tariffs and SNAP cuts that contribute to high prices.
Connecticut Attorney General secured a $1 million multistate settlement with TFG Holding, Inc. for deceptive VIP membership program marketing and billing practices. The company must improve disclosures, obtain explicit consent, provide easy cancellation, and offer restitution to affected consumers.
$1.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined 18 other attorneys general in filing a comment letter opposing a U.S. Department of Education proposal to expand data collection on race, admissions, and student performance from colleges and universities. The coalition argues the proposal is unreasonably burdensome, unlikely to yield quality data, and could be misused to target lawful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, raising student privacy concerns.
Governing Magazine recognized Connecticut Attorney General William Tong as a 2025 Public Official of the Year for his bipartisan enforcement leadership, highlighting major settlements including the $6 billion Purdue Pharma opioid case and $440 million JUUL e-cigarette marketing settlement.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, along with attorneys general from Arizona, New York, Virginia, Washington, and the FTC, sued Zillow and Redfin for an anticompetitive agreement where Zillow paid Redfin $100 million to exit the multifamily rental listing market. The complaint alleges violations of the Sherman Act and Clayton Act, claiming the agreement reduces competition and could lead to higher rents.
Connecticut, California, and Colorado attorneys general, along with the California Privacy Protection Agency, announced a joint investigative sweep targeting businesses that fail to honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals, which allow consumers to opt-out of the sale of their personal information. The coalition sent letters to non-compliant businesses demanding immediate compliance with state privacy laws requiring respect for consumer opt-out preferences.
Attorney General William Tong is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the U.S. Department of Agriculture from forcing states to share private data of SNAP participants, including social security numbers and shopping history. USDA is threatening to cut off administrative funding if states do not comply, which AG Tong argues violates federal privacy laws and the Constitution.
Attorney General William Tong, leading a coalition of 22 states, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture for demanding that states disclose sensitive personal data of SNAP recipients. The demand violates federal privacy laws and the Constitution, and threatens to withhold critical funding. The lawsuit seeks to block USDA from conditioning SNAP administrative funds on data disclosure.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed a lawsuit against MAKECTBETTER LLC and individuals for operating a fraudulent scheme selling fake cannabis licenses. The defendants forged state documents and charged businesses up to $50,000 for non-existent licenses. The AG is seeking a $2.5 million prejudgment remedy to freeze the defendants' assets.
$2.5M
Connecticut Attorney General settled with Capulet Entertainment over the failed Capulet Fest 2024, which was abruptly relocated and partially cancelled, leaving ticketholders without refunds. The settlement provides up to $50,000 in consumer refunds and imposes future requirements including performance bonds and contractor commitments.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with TicketNetwork, Inc. for violating the Connecticut Data Privacy Act by maintaining an unreadable privacy notice and non-functional consumer rights mechanisms. TicketNetwork agreed to comply with CTDPA requirements, maintain metrics for consumer rights requests, report to the AG, and pay $85,000.
$85K
Attorney General William Tong led a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in urging Meta Platforms to protect users from fraudulent investment ads on Facebook that facilitate pump-and-dump schemes, causing significant financial losses. The coalition calls for enhanced ad review processes, including human review for investment ads, and suggests ceasing investment ads if scams cannot be curbed.
Connecticut joined a coalition of 28 attorneys general to object to 23andMe's proposed sale of genetic data in bankruptcy without customer consent. The states argue such sensitive information requires express consent and cannot be sold like ordinary property. Attorney General Tong also advised consumers to delete their data and genetic samples.
Connecticut passed House Bill No. 7181 to strengthen enforcement against illegal cannabis and tobacco sales by increasing penalties, allowing municipalities to retain civil penalties, and creating a task force. The law also expands bans on online sales of e-cigarettes and improves age verification to prevent youth access to addictive products.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed a lawsuit against Triggered Brand for selling unapproved 'research grade' GLP-1 weight loss drugs directly to consumers without prescriptions or medical oversight, violating the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and pharmacy licensing laws. The AG also issued a Civil Investigative Demand to Made In China for similar sales and sent warning letters to weight loss clinics about compounded GLP-1 drugs.
Attorney General William Tong obtained a $4.93 million judgment against Planet Zaza of East Haven and its owner for persistent illegal cannabis sales in violation of a court order. The court imposed penalties of $5,000 per day for each day of violation and $25,000 per day for violating the temporary injunction, totaling $4.93 million.
$4.9M
The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General released an updated enforcement report on the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA) for 2024, summarizing investigations into companies handling connected vehicles, genetic data, palm recognition, teen messaging apps, and facial recognition. The report outlines expanded enforcement priorities around opt-out practices and dark patterns, and includes legislative recommendations to strengthen the CTDPA.
The Connecticut Attorney General, leading a multistate task force of 51 attorneys general, issued warning letters to nine phone providers for allegedly routing unlawful robocalls. The providers have received numerous traceback notices for various scam calls, including government impersonations and financial fraud. The task force demands immediate cessation of illegal robocall facilitation or face legal action.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong leads a multistate coalition in a $39.1 million settlement with Apotex for conspiracy to inflate generic drug prices and limit competition. The settlement resolves allegations of widespread price-fixing and requires Apotex to pay compensation to affected consumers, agree to injunctive relief, and implement internal reforms to ensure antitrust compliance.
$39.1M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $5 million settlement with Stone Academy and its owners for unfair and deceptive conduct. The defunct for-profit nursing school misrepresented its programs and failed to provide promised education, abruptly closing in February 2023. The settlement provides cash compensation to harmed students and bars the owners from higher education employment.
$5.0M
Connecticut filed a statement of interest in the bankruptcy of Prospect Medical Holdings, alleging years of mismanagement that harmed patients and led to a ransomware attack compromising the data of 212,369 residents. The state seeks to ensure a responsible transition of hospitals and hold Prospect accountable for its misconduct.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced proposed legislation to protect minors from addictive social media features. The bill would prohibit exposing minors to harmful algorithms without parental consent, set default usage limits and notification restrictions, and require annual reporting by social media companies. This follows ongoing legal actions against Meta and TikTok for youth addiction concerns.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, leading a coalition of 19 attorneys general, secured a temporary restraining order blocking DOGE and Elon Musk from accessing Treasury Department payment systems containing sensitive personal data. The court found the Trump Administration illegally granted unauthorized access, exposing Americans' bank account details and Social Security numbers. The order mandates destruction of downloaded materials and restricts access to vetted civil servants.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed a lawsuit against President Trump and the U.S. Treasury Department to stop DOGE's unauthorized access to the Treasury's central payment system, which contains sensitive personal information like bank details and Social Security numbers. The lawsuit seeks an injunction and a declaration that the new policy granting access to Elon Musk and DOGE members is unlawful and jeopardizes data security.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in suing President Trump and the U.S. Treasury to stop DOGE's unauthorized access to the Treasury's central payment system and confidential records, calling it the largest data breach in American history. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block the expanded access policy and a declaration that it is unlawful.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general to announce they will file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Treasury and DOGE for unlawfully granting Elon Musk and DOGE staff access to sensitive personal information and payment systems. The AGs argue this unauthorized access threatens privacy rights and essential payments for millions of Americans. The lawsuit seeks to revoke access and prevent further interference.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a coordinated multi-state enforcement action against the sale of bootleg, flavored disposable e-cigarettes. Civil investigative demands were served on 12 Connecticut smoke shops, convenience stores, and two wholesalers for selling illegally imported, non-FDA authorized nicotine products designed to appeal to youth. Nine other states announced parallel investigations or litigation targeting distributors and retailers of these products.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $1.5 million settlement with Carvana to resolve hundreds of consumer complaints about delays in title and registration, delayed payments to sellers, and deceptive vehicle representations. The settlement includes a $1 million restitution fund for affected consumers and a $500,000 penalty to the state, with $250,000 suspended if Carvana complies. Carvana must comply with Connecticut laws and improve customer service.
$500K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $5 million preliminary settlement with Stone Academy and its owners for unfair and deceptive conduct. The for-profit nursing school failed to deliver promised education, lacking textbooks, experienced teachers, and clinical training, and abruptly closed in February 2023. The settlement provides cash payments to harmed students, bars the owner from higher education employment for five years, and includes measures to help students complete their education.
$5.0M
The U.S. Department of Justice and ten states filed an amended complaint against six major landlords for using algorithmic pricing and sharing competitively sensitive information to suppress competition and raise rents. Cortland Management LLC agreed to a consent decree requiring it to cease these practices, cooperate with the investigation, and submit to court-monitored oversight. The landlords collectively manage over 1.3 million rental units across the United States.
Attorney General William Tong announced that starting January 1, 2025, businesses covered by the Connecticut Data Privacy Act must honor global opt-out preference signals, allowing consumers to opt out of targeted advertising and data sales via tools like Global Privacy Control. The advisory explains requirements, notes exemptions for HIPAA-covered entities, and provides resources for compliance.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a multistate coalition of 16 attorneys general to use civil enforcement against irresponsible members of the firearms industry. The coalition will enforce state consumer protection and liability laws to reduce gun violence, with past actions including lawsuits against Glock for machine gun conversions and ghost gun dealers.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sent a letter to Sephora regarding the marketing of anti-aging skincare products with harmful ingredients like retinol and acids to children and teens on social media. The AG seeks information on product placements in searches for kids and warning practices, cautioning parents about potential skin harm from these products.
Attorney General William Tong announced settlements with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex totaling $49.1 million to resolve allegations of price-fixing conspiracies for generic prescription drugs. The companies agreed to cooperate in ongoing multistate litigation and implement internal reforms to ensure fair competition.
$49.1M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $65,000 settlement with Hilario Truck Center and Hilario’s Service Center for illegally collecting junk fees such as PPE fees, administrative fees, and fuel surcharges during police-ordered tows. The settlement requires the companies to pay $10,000 to the state and provide refunds to eligible consumers who paid these unauthorized fees between 2019 and 2024.
$65K
Guardian Analytics, Inc. and Actimize, Inc. settled with the Connecticut Attorney General over a data breach affecting 157,629 Connecticut residents. The breach, from November 2022 to January 2023, exposed personal information due to security failures. The settlement includes a $500,000 penalty and mandatory cybersecurity improvements.
$500K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $20,000 settlement with EnergyBillCruncher.com for misleading solar marketing tactics, including false claims about government coverage, misuse of the state seal, and false urgency in social media ads. The company must cease these practices and notify its solar installer partners.
$20K
The Connecticut Attorney General obtained a $5 million stipulated judgment against Vision Solar for alleged deceptive sales practices, including high-pressure tactics, misrepresentations, and performing unpermitted work. Although the company is bankrupt and cannot pay, the judgment establishes binding operational standards for solar companies in Connecticut regarding disclosures, contracting, permitting, and use of licensed contractors.
$5.0M
A multistate settlement with Marriott International for a data breach affecting 131.5 million guest records. Marriott failed to secure the Starwood network from 2014 to 2018, exposing personal information. The settlement includes a $52 million payment and requires Marriott to implement enhanced cybersecurity measures and consumer protections.
$52.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced that a coalition of 22 attorneys general is escalating efforts to force TikTok to comply with a multistate investigation into harm to youth mental health. TikTok has failed to fully comply with court orders to preserve evidence and produce documents, impeding the investigation. The coalition is urging a Tennessee court to enforce its orders.
Connecticut Attorney General announced a $1.73 million settlement with Enzo Clinical Labs for overbilling the state Medicaid program. The lab billed Medicaid full prices while offering discounted rates to other payers, violating the state False Claims Act. The settlement resolves both an audit repayment and claims from a whistleblower investigation.
$1.7M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong reached an agreement with Northwell Health and Nuvance Health to resolve an antitrust investigation into their proposed affiliation. The agreement preserves labor and delivery services at Sharon Hospital and strengthens healthcare access in Western Connecticut. Northwell committed to maintaining women's health services, investing in IT and cybersecurity, and complying with Connecticut's anti-steering statute for five years.
Attorney General William Tong, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and eight other state attorneys general, filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against RealPage Inc. for allegedly using its algorithmic pricing software to facilitate price fixing among landlords and monopolize the market for revenue management software. The complaint alleges that RealPage collects competitively sensitive rental data from landlords to train its algorithm, which then recommends prices, harming renters by reducing competition. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to end these practices and restore competition.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, along with New York and New Jersey attorneys general, secured a $4.5 million settlement from Enzo Biochem, Inc. for failing to protect patient health data, resulting in a ransomware attack that compromised 2.4 million patients' information. Enzo must pay the fine and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures including multi-factor authentication and annual risk assessments.
$4.5M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced an investigation into EnergyBillCruncher for making false claims that the government would cover solar installation costs, misusing the state seal, and creating false urgency. The investigation seeks information on the company's ownership, consumer interactions, and partnerships. This is part of broader actions against deceptive solar sales tactics.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong urged residents to enroll in free credit monitoring and identity theft protection following the Change Healthcare cyberattack in February 2024, which exposed sensitive health data. The breach potentially impacted up to one-third of Americans, but Change Healthcare has failed to provide individual notice to affected consumers. The AG joined other attorneys general in April 2024 to demand that UnitedHealth Group take more meaningful action to protect those harmed.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed a lawsuit against Altice for charging unlawful 'Network Enhancement Fees' and failing to adequately disclose internet speed limits. The complaint seeks to stop the fees, recover millions for consumers, and address deceptive marketing practices including language barriers.
Connecticut, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and 15 other states, has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple Inc. for monopolizing smartphone markets in violation of the Sherman Act. The complaint alleges Apple engages in anticompetitive conduct such as blocking innovative apps, suppressing cloud streaming services, and limiting interoperability to maintain its monopoly and impose high costs on consumers and developers. The plaintiffs seek equitable relief to restore competition.
The Connecticut Attorney General and Consumer Protection Commissioner announced a public service announcement to warn about illegal, unsafe cannabis edibles that mimic kid-friendly snacks. The agencies highlighted ongoing enforcement actions against retailers selling unregulated delta-8 THC products, with four judgments secured totaling $40,000, and ten pending actions. The PSA aims to protect children from accidental ingestion of potent, untested products.
$40K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a bipartisan coalition of 41 attorneys general in sending a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. to address the rising number of Facebook and Instagram account takeovers by scammers. The coalition criticizes Meta's inadequate security measures and calls for improved protections including multi-factor authentication, increased staffing for response, and stronger enforcement against scammers. The letter urges Meta to take immediate action to safeguard user accounts from hijacking and fraud.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced legislative action to ban 40-year exclusive real estate listing agreements following an investigation into MV Realty that uncovered nearly 400 deceptive contracts. The company targeted lower-income homeowners with small cash payments for long-term liens, imposing steep penalties for cancellation or independent sales, and often failed to provide proper disclosure or copies of agreements.
Connecticut Attorney General announced a $350 million national settlement with Publicis Health for its role in the opioid epidemic. Publicis will pay the settlement, disclose internal documents, and cease accepting opioid-related client work. Connecticut will receive nearly $4.44 million from the settlement.
$350.0M
The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General released a mandated report on the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), detailing over a dozen notices of violation issued to companies across various industries for deficiencies in privacy disclosures and consumer rights mechanisms. The report highlights common compliance failures and reaffirms the AG's commitment to enforcement and education under the state's consumer privacy law.
Connecticut officials, including Attorney General William Tong, warned businesses about a scam by CT UCC Statement Service, which charges $90 for free UCC reports. The company's mailings are designed to look like government documents, but reports are available for free at business.ct.gov. Businesses should verify notices and avoid paying fees for free services.
Attorney General William Tong announced details for consumers to receive restitution from a $700 million antitrust settlement with Google. The settlement, secured in December 2023 by a coalition of 53 attorneys general, addresses Google's monopoly in the Google Play Store that led to inflated fees for consumers. Eligible consumers who made purchases between August 2016 and September 2023 will receive automatic payments via PayPal or Venmo.
$700.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong expanded the complaint against Stone Academy, alleging its owners siphoned millions for personal luxury while students were denied promised education and clinical training. Revenues surged during the pandemic, but exam pass rates fell and students lacked textbooks and qualified teachers. The AG seeks civil penalties, restitution, and a receiver to protect assets for student relief.
Attorney General William Tong of Connecticut joined a bipartisan coalition of 44 attorneys general to issue a letter supporting the G.U.A.R.D. VA Benefits Act. The legislation aims to hold unaccredited and unregulated actors accountable for defrauding veterans applying for VA benefits by requiring proper accreditation and imposing penalties, as unaccredited services waste veterans' money and time and may lead to fraud and identity theft.
Attorney General William Tong of Connecticut joined a multistate coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to defend the federal government's ability to communicate with social media companies about dangerous online content. The coalition opposes a preliminary injunction that prohibits such communications, arguing it undermines public safety efforts and must be overturned. The brief highlights examples of productive dialogue on issues like election security, public health emergencies, and consumer protection.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sued Stone Academy, its owner Joseph Bierbaum, and Paier College of Art for violating the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act by deceiving students about the nursing program's quality, clinical hours, and faculty qualifications while diverting funds to other businesses. The lawsuit seeks millions in civil penalties, restitution for students, disgorgement of profits, appointment of a receiver, and attachment of assets including Bierbaum's mansion.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong released guidance affirming that state and federal anti-discrimination laws continue to protect LGBTQ+ rights following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in 303 Creative v. Elenis. The memo explains that the ruling's narrow exception for custom expressive works does not undermine Connecticut's broader public accommodations laws, which prohibit discrimination in marriage, employment, housing, credit, and hate crimes. The AG's office vows to remain vigilant and use enforcement authority to protect LGBTQ+ residents.
The Connecticut Attorney General and FCC warn consumers about increased student loan debt scam robocalls and robotexts following the Supreme Court decision on student loan forgiveness. They provide tips on how to spot scams and advise consumers not to share personal information and to report suspicious calls.
Attorney General William Tong released guidance advising Connecticut consumers of new privacy rights under the Connecticut Data Privacy Act (CTDPA), effective July 1, 2023. The CTDPA grants consumers rights to access, correct, delete, and opt-out of the sale of personal data and targeted advertising. Businesses must comply with these requirements, obtain consent for sensitive data and children's data, and maintain privacy notices.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong launched a consumer protection investigation into Hyundai and Kia for failing to equip vehicles with standard anti-theft immobilizers between 2011 and 2022, leading to high theft rates and public safety concerns. The investigation seeks records on the companies' decision-making and potential fixes, following a coalition of attorneys general calling for a federal recall.
The Connecticut legislature passed a series of consumer protection bills backed by Attorney General William Tong. The legislation modernizes anti-robocall laws, requires all-in pricing for ticket sales, prohibits post-cancellation cable billing charges, and enhances geolocation data breach notification requirements. The bills now await Governor Ned Lamont's signature.
Connecticut led a multistate settlement with JUUL Labs for $438.5 million over allegations of marketing vaping products to underage youth. The settlement funds are being directed to Regional Behavioral Health Action Organizations through new legislation to combat youth vaping, with requirements for transparency and evidence-based programs.
$438.5M
Attorney General William Tong refuted Stone Academy's attempts to blame regulators for its abrupt closure, detailing the school's own misconduct and harm to students. He is leading an investigation into potential violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and demands full financial disclosure and resources from Stone to assist affected students.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed a lawsuit against Michael D. Lansky, LLC (Avid Telecom) for allegedly initiating billions of illegal robocalls, including to numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. The company is accused of violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and Telemarketing Sales Rule. This action is part of a multistate task force with nearly every state attorney general.
Connecticut, Oregon, and the District of Columbia reached a $100,000 settlement with Easy Healthcare Corporation, the operator of the Premom ovulation tracking app, for sharing sensitive user health and location data with third parties without appropriate disclosures or user consent. The settlement requires the company to implement comprehensive privacy and security programs, obtain consent before sharing health or location data, and provide users with a method to delete their personal information.
$100K
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with Integrity Admin Group, Inc. for deceptive home warranty marketing practices. The company will pay $10,000 and cease misleading tactics such as creating false urgency and sending fake checks. The settlement includes injunctive relief to prevent future deceptive practices.
$10K
Attorney General William Tong and Stamford Police confiscated thousands of illegal delta-8 THC cannabis products from three Stamford vape shops. The products, which mimic youth-oriented snacks like Oreos and Cheetos, are unregulated and untested. Legal action is being prepared against the shops for violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong sought a court order to compel the owners of Stone Academy, a for-profit nursing school, to comply with civil investigative demands following the school's abrupt closure. The investigation examines potential violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, including issues with clinical instruction hours, faculty qualifications, and student transcript accuracy, which left students' education plans in limbo.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong filed a lawsuit against Vision Solar, LLC for engaging in predatory high-pressure sales tactics, misrepresenting financing and tax credits, and performing unpermitted work that left homeowners with nonfunctioning systems and unaffordable loans. The action seeks restitution for consumers, civil penalties, and injunctive relief to stop the company's unfair and deceptive practices.
A coalition of 46 state attorneys general, led by Colorado and Tennessee, filed an amicus brief to compel TikTok to produce internal communications. The investigation examines whether TikTok's practices harm youth mental health through harmful content. TikTok is accused of failing to preserve and provide communications in a usable format.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong testified in support of legislation to grant his office investigative authority under the Consumer Financial Protection Act to address widespread consumer complaints following the merger of People’s United Bank and M&T Bank, including issues with account access, unauthorized transactions, and payment processing errors.
Attorney General William Tong and bipartisan legislators announced a bill to modernize Connecticut's anti-robocall laws, which haven't been updated since 2015. The bill would expand coverage to text messages, ban gateway VoIP providers, enforce calls to Connecticut area codes, set calling hour restrictions, strengthen telemarketer disclosures, and clarify Do Not Call List protections.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas warned businesses about a scam by C F Division Services, LLC, which sends solicitations mimicking government notices for free UCC reports while charging $90. The company's disclaimer is not clear and conspicuous, and the AG has demanded information via letter while investigating the deceptive practices.