In the News
Ohio attorney general voices support for bill bolstering newspapers
The Columbus Dispatch | Marty Schladen Newspapers are fundamental to the functioning of American democracy and they’re under threat like never before, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said Friday. That’s why he’s calling on Ohio’s congressional delegation to support a bill that would grant the industry “temporary cartel” status to negotiate rates with massive social
Read moreRead moreBipartisan request for federal PBM probe has roots in Ohio
The Columbus Dispatch | Jack Torry Questionable actions by pharmacy benefit managers in Ohio provided impetus for two key senators to ask the federal government to investigate pricing practices by the drug middlemen nationwide. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley of Iowa and ranking committee Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon cited a state audit of
Read moreRead moreCuyahoga County corrections officers indicted, one for death of inmate, others in attack on restrained inmates
Cleveland.com | Adam Ferrise Five current and former Cuyahoga County corrections officers were indicted Monday, including one in connection with the death of an inmate. Martin Devring, 60, is charged with tampering with evidence, dereliction of duty and interfering with civil rights. He was fired Dec. 4 for his actions related to the Aug. 27
Read moreRead moreOhio AG Yost takes action to save part of Obamacare on pre-existing conditions
Dayton Daily News | Jessica Wehrman Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said he filed a brief opposing a case that would strike down the entire 2010 Affordable Care Act because he believes that certain provisions in the law — such as one protecting pre–existing conditions — should remain. “If a patient has a tumor, you
Read moreRead moreHouse passes bill to help pay for Pike County death-penalty cases
The Columbus Dispatch | Jim Siegel A bill aimed at helping Pike County deal with the staggering costs of prosecuting four death-penalty cases resulting from the April 2016 murder of eight people passed the Ohio House on Wednesday with overwhelming support. “Ohio is simply not prepared to financially assist counties and the public defender’s office
Read moreRead moreHospice nurse sentenced in Ross County for tampering with evidence after patient’s death
The Highland County Press A home hospice nurse who disposed of blood-soaked sheets and towels after a patient’s accidental death was sentenced Friday for tampering with evidence. Judge Michael Ater of the Ross County Court of Common Pleas sentenced Karen Montgomery to 60 days in jail and five years of probation. A jury found her
Read moreRead moreGM Toledo plant employees to complete state civil rights training
The Toledo Blade The Ohio Attorney General’s Office announced Wednesday it will provide civil rights training this week to General Motors Toledo Transmission plant employees. Employees previously reported ongoing racist harassment and threats,including nooses and written slurs found at the plant, and several have filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Toledo to settle the
Read moreRead moreOwner of Addiction Treatment Centers Indicted on Medicaid Fraud, Drug Trafficking Charges
The Scioto Post | Jeremy Newman Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that an owner of three addiction treatment centers in southern Ohio has been indicted on 34 felony charges, including Medicaid fraud, drug trafficking and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. The indictment filed today in the Lawrence County Court of Common
Read moreRead moreAttorney General wants crackdown on drug dealing at addiction recovery facilities
WFMJ | Mike Gauntner A bill that would establish harsher penalties for people dealing drugs around addiction recovery facilities is getting support from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The Attorney General announced that he’s backing Senate Bill 55 which had its second hearing on Wednesday. Bowling Green Republican Senator Theresa Gavrone modeled the legislation after
Read moreRead moreOhio Attorney General Dave Yost takes pharmacy benefit manager OptumRx to court
The Columbus Dispatch | Catherine Candisky Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is suing pharmacy middleman OptumRx to recover $16 million in overcharges to the state for prescription drugs. In a lawsuit filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court on Friday, Yost demanded repayment after first seeking mediation in the dispute on behalf of the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation,
Read moreRead more8 arrested in Youngstown area human trafficking sting
WKYC3 Eight men have been arrested as part of an undercover human trafficking bust in the Youngstown area, the Ohio Attorney General announced Friday. The eight were taken into custody following an investigation and sting operation by the Liberty Township Police Department and Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force. As well as being charged with
Read moreRead moreLegislative leaders, statewide officials all pushing for more oversight of JobsOhio
The Columbus Dispatch | Jim Siegel Asked on Wednesday if JobsOhio is working, House Speaker Larry Householder didn’t offer a definitive answer. “I don’t know,” the Glenford Republican said of the state’s quasi-private economic development entity. “That’s part of our transparency problem.” With Gov. John Kasich no longer around to protect his brainchild, which he
Read moreRead moreOhio attorney general, others mark Sunshine Week
Sandusky Register | Tom Jackson Ohio’s attorney general, Dave Yost, is celebrating Sunshine Week by releasing the 2019 edition of the “Yellow Book,” a sunshine law manual that offers an up-to-date guide to Ohio’s public records and open meetings laws. The manual is updated every year to reflect changes in and law and court rulings.
Read moreRead moreAttorney General Creates New Office To Prevent Conflicts of Interest
Statehouse News Bureau | Andy Chow Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is creating a new office to keep track of any potential conflicts of interest among the 400 attorneys working in the AG’s office. The AG’s Office of Professional Integrity will keep a log of the work and external relationships of all the attorneys that work
Read moreRead moreColumbus police vice officer charged with holding women against their will in exchange for sexual favors
The Columbus Dispatch | Bethany Bruner A Columbus police vice officer could face the rest of his life in prison after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of holding two women against their will, granting them freedom only in exchange for sexual favors. Andrew K. Mitchell, a 31-year division veteran, appeared in
Read moreRead moreDark spots linger in access to public meetings, records in Ohio
The Columbus Dispatch | Randy Ludlow pots of shade shroud transparency in Ohio amid the start of Sunshine Week, a national observance stressing the importance of public records and open meetings in a democracy. As evidenced by court complaints and findings — such as city council members illegally “meeting” via text messages — government officials
Read moreRead moreState suing operators of tech support scam
Norwalk Reflector Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced that he has sued the operators of a tech support scam as part of a nationwide crackdown on fraudsters who try to trick consumers into buying costly tech support and repair services. “They might as well be selling a magic potion with eye of newt to fix
Read moreRead moreHow OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma’s potential bankruptcy filing would stall thousands of lawsuits before federal judge in Cleveland
Cleveland.com | Eric Heisig A potential decision by OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to file for bankruptcy could mean significant delays and complications for thousands of lawsuits accusing the company of significantly contributing to a wave of opioid-addicted deaths that ravaged communities in every corner of the country. Such a move, which was first reported Monday morning
Read moreRead moreState offering tattoo removal grants for victims of sex trafficking
WHIO | Laura Bischoff Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is releasing grant money to help victims of human trafficking get their tattoos or brand markings removed. “The journey of a survivor out of slavery and addiction and trauma is hard enough without a permanent reminder that literally is part of your skin,” Yost said in
Read moreRead moreEditorial: Yost suit to recover overpayments is welcome
The Columbus Dispatch Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s plan to recover millions of taxpayer dollars from a company that he says overcharged the state is a welcome milestone in an unfolding story. Dispatch reporters and analysts hired by the state have spent nearly a year establishing that the public was ripped off, and it’s about
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