A caseworker with the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency was charged with criminal offenses for allegedly accessing and disclosing confidential DCF database records without authorization. The charges include Computer Theft and Unlawful Access and Disclosure. The investigation was conducted by the New Jersey State Police.
In-house legal teams should review all agreements that involve access to sensitive or confidential data, particularly those with government agencies or entities handling child protection records. Key clauses to examine include data confidentiality provisions, access control mechanisms, employee training and compliance terms, audit rights for data usage, breach notification requirements, and data retention and disposal policies. Changes may be necessary to enhance access controls, mandate regular security training, implement monitoring for unauthorized access, and clarify penalties for data misuse to prevent incidents like the unauthorized disclosure of confidential child welfare information.
Entity
Kristan T. Bell
Also known as: New Jersey Department of Children and Families
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://www.njoag.gov/caseworker-for-new-jersey-division-of-child-protection-and-permanency-charged-with-improperly-accessing-and-disclosing-private-information/
New Jersey Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://www.njoag.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/division-of-consumer-affairs/
"Kristan T. Bell, 41, of Union Township, N.J.,"
"Bell allegedly used her official position and password to access the DCF database to view confidential Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit (IAIU) records related to the victim’s family, without any legitimate work-related reason or justification. Bell then allegedly disclosed information that she obtained from the confidential database about the victim’s family to another person who previously had a relationship with the victim and is the biological father of the victim’s son."
$650K
The New Jersey Attorney General and Division of Consumer Affairs announced that Match Group, Inc. will pay $650,000 and change its business practices to settle allegations that it misrepresented or failed to disclose its criminal background screening policies and practices to New Jersey users, violating the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and the Internet Dating Safety Act. Under a Consent Order, Match must accurately represent its screening policies, notify existing New Jersey members of updated disclosures within 150 days, and post clear and conspicuous disclosures and safety notifications about the limitations of criminal background screenings.
On August 31, 2026, New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and the Division of Consumer Affairs joined the FTC and a bipartisan coalition of 21 other states in suing Amazon, alleging that for over seven years the company secretly rigged its advertising auctions—converting advertised 'second price' auctions into first-price auctions with hidden 'soft reserve price' surcharges—overcharging more than 500,000 small- and medium-sized businesses and extracting tens of billions of dollars. The complaint alleges Amazon actively concealed the surcharges, gave false and misleading answers to advertisers who asked directly about the auction format, and applied inflated upcharges on high-volume shopping days like Prime Day and Black Friday. The lawsuit was just filed; no penalties or remedies have been imposed yet.
A bipartisan coalition of state attorneys general led by New Jersey, California, Colorado, and Kentucky is taking Meta Platforms, Inc. to trial, alleging that Meta designed addictive features on Instagram and Facebook that harm minors' mental health, illegally collected data from children under 13 without the required protections under COPPA, and misled users about platform safety. Opening arguments begin August 18, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. No monetary penalty or final remedy has yet been imposed.
A coalition of 21 state attorneys general and Pennsylvania filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration, DOT, FMCSA, DHS, and AAMVA to prevent the unlawful demand for a database containing personal information of 17 million commercial driver's license holders. The lawsuits allege violations of federal privacy laws and the Administrative Procedure Act, and seek an emergency order to block the data transfer.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general in sending comment letters to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Reserve Board, urging them to deny OppFi's application to acquire BNC National Bank and obtain a national bank charter. The coalition argues that the charter would allow OppFi to circumvent state usury laws and offer high-cost loans with APRs up to 200%, harming consumers.
$400.0M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 43 states and territories in announcing a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz Inc. to resolve allegations of widespread price-fixing and anticompetitive conduct in the generic drug market. Sandoz will pay approximately $469 million total including prior settlements, and has agreed to internal reforms to ensure fair competition.