The Attorney General announced legislation this week to eliminate the rampant and illegal use of ticket “bots," computer software used by resellers to buy tickets for popular concerts and sporting events within minutes of those tickets going on sale. Last week, the Attorney General reached multi-million dollar settlements with six ticket brokers that will stop the use of ticket bots by some of the most common resellers.
More news is expected next week. The Attorney General’s previous report on the investigation detailed the difficulties ordinary New York consumers face from these troubling industry practices and the middle-men that work to keep affordable tickets out of their hands. Read about the AG's recent efforts to create a fairer ticket marketplace in the Times Union here.
Taking Trump University to Trial
The Attorney General's office was back in court this week seeking justice for the thousands of students defrauded by Trump University. Following the hearing, the Attorney General released the following statement. Read the WSJ story here.
“I am very pleased the judge has indicated her intention to move as expeditiously as possible to trial, as thousands of Mr. Trump’s alleged victims have been waiting years for relief from his fraud. We believe that Mr. Trump and Mr. Sexton will be essential witnesses at trial. As we will prove in court, Donald Trump and his sham for-profit college defrauded thousands of students out of millions of dollars.”
Expanding Hep C Coverage For New Yorkers
The Attorney General reached agreements with seven health insurance companies to expand their coverage policies for patients suffering with chronic Hepatitis C. Under the agreement, health insurance plans will no longer deny coverage to members using alcohol or drugs, and will start treating patients at earlier stages. Read the WSJ story here.
Empowering Suffolk Voters to Register Online
The Attorney General issued an opinion advising Suffolk County that online voter registration is legal in the State of New York. This determination was in response to a Suffolk County letter requesting the office’s opinion whether it would be permitted by State election law. For many voters, a fully online voter registration system would streamline the process, making it easier to enroll on one’s mobile device and electronically sign. Read the Newsday story about it here.
Compelling the D.A. Comply with Executive Order
The Attorney General sued Rensselaer District Attorney Abelove to compel him to comply with Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order that appointed the Attorney General as a special prosecutor in all cases where an unarmed civilian dies during a police encounter. The D.A. attempted to exercise jurisdiction over a police shooting case in Troy in violation of the Executive Order. The Attorney General’s suit seeks to require the D.A. to surrender his case file and bar him from exercising jurisdiction to investigate the circumstances that led to the death of Edson Thevenin on April 17, 2016. Read news coverage about it in the NY Times here.
