Office of the Minnesota Attorney General

The Office of the Minnesota Attorney General has?obtained a settlement with Conagra Brands, Inc.?over its failure to provide seasonal workers at its Waseca fruit and vegetable processing facility with key information prior to the start of employment and their failure to retain records as required by law. Under the terms of the?Assurance of Discontinuance?filed in Ramsey County, Conagra Brands agrees to provide seasonal employees with employment statements that comply with?Minnesota Statutes section 181.86. Conagra Brands also will pay $142,000 in restitution to workers for its past non-compliance with the law, which the Attorney General will distribute to workers. Workers with concerns or complaints about systematic violations of state and federal wage laws can contact the Attorney General’s Office through its?online complaint form?(available in Spanish or English). Minnesotans can also contact the Office by calling (651) 296-3353 (Metro area) or (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota). #WorkersRights #WorkerProtection #ConsumerProtection #Settlement #Restitution #PeoplesLawyer https://lnkd.in/gCcFxDRV

Today, Attorney General Ellison joined a coalition of state attorneys general and the Justice Department in?proposing a robust package of remedies?to end Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and to restore competition to benefit consumers. In December 2020, Attorney General Ellison and a bipartisan coalition of 38 state attorneys general?filed a lawsuit alleging that Google illegally maintains its monopoly power over general search engines?through anticompetitive contracts and conduct. In a landmark decision in August 2024, a D.C. federal district court judge ruled that Google violated federal antitrust laws by illegally maintaining a monopoly in online search and search text ads, finding that “Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly.” Attorney General Ellison encourages Minnesota consumers and businesses who wish to report concerns about antitrust issues to?submit a report online via the Antitrust Report Form. Consumers may also call the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General at (651) 296-3353 (Metro area), (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota), or (800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). #ConsumerProtection #Antitrust #Multistate https://lnkd.in/gu2wvxQu

The Office of the Minnesota Attorney General has reached a?settlement?with Edina Realty, Inc. that resolves the Attorney General’s investigation into the secret payments Edina received from Home Security of America, Inc. (HSA) in exchange for promoting HSA's home warranties to Edina’s unsuspecting clients.?Under the settlement, Edina will pay $3.5 million to the Attorney General’s Office to provide refunds to certain Edina clients who purchased an HSA home warranty.?The settlement also requires Edina to end contractual relationships with any third parties that pay Edina to promote their products to Edina’s clients, and not enter into any new such relationships.?Edina is also prohibited from licensing its name or trademark to any third parties that market their services to Edina’s clients. Minnesotans who believe they were the victims of a scam are encouraged to file a complaint with the Office of Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. The Office can also be contacted by phone at (651) 296-3353 (Metro area) or (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota). #ConsumerProtection #Settlement #PeoplesLawyer https://lnkd.in/gx4VkRZF

The Office of the Minnesota Attorney General has reached a settlement with Urban Advantage Services (“UAS”), a Minnesota nonprofit corporation, requiring it to dissolve due to multiple governance violations. As a part of this dissolution, UAS will be transferring its remaining assets to organizations with a similar charitable purpose. “Minnesota requires nonprofits to follow laws about transparency and governance that help prevent charitable assets from being misused,”?Attorney General Ellison said.?“Minnesotans are a generous people, and we expect our charities to obey these rules, keep proper records, and work to help people who need it. Urban Advantage Services fell short of these expectations and failed to follow the law, so I’m ensuring they dissolve.” Minnesotans with concerns about governance or other issues at a nonprofit?may submit a complaint on the Attorney General’s website. Minnesota consumers may also contact the Attorney General’s Office by calling (651) 296-3353 (Metro area), (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota), or (800) 627-3529 (Minnesota Relay). #ConsumerProtection #Charities #Nonprofit #Settlement #PeoplesLawyer https://lnkd.in/gAc--Fh7

In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday on November 11, Attorney General Ellison today warned Minnesota’s veterans about claim shark companies that prey on veterans and family members who are seeking Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. The warning is part of the Attorney General’s monthly?Scam Stoppers?series, aiming to protect Minnesota consumers from common scams.? #ConsumerProtection #ScamStopper #Veterans Read more: https://lnkd.in/gJmnRDZm

A Hennepin County District Court set aside Edgar Barrientos Quintana’s 2009 first-degree murder conviction based on evidence that the Conviction Review Unit (CRU) of the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General uncovered in an exhaustive investigation. In vacating Mr. Barrientos’s conviction, the?court ordered him released from prison?pending further proceedings in his case.?Subsequently, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office dismissed the case. Mr. Barrientos spent 16 years in prison for the October 2008 murder of 18-year-old Jesse Mickelson, a crime he did not commit. The?CRU’s 180-page report,?issued in August 2024, recommended that Mr. Barientos’s conviction be vacated after it found convincing evidence of his innocence. After a thorough review of the case and the CRU’s investigation, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office joined with Mr. Barrientos's attorneys in asking the court to vacate his conviction. “My thoughts are with Jesse’s friends and family, who lost him to a senseless act of violence, and who are still waiting for justice,”?added Ellison.?“Mr. Barrientos was deprived of his freedom, and his loved ones were deprived of his presence, for the last 16 years. This case underscores the importance of reviewing claims of wrongful convictions without fear or favor, and when evidence leads to the conclusion that the wrong person was convicted of a crime, acting to correct that injustice.” #ConvictionReviewUnit #Justice #Freedom https://lnkd.in/gZFR_fZ9

Attorney General Ellison joined a bipartisan coalition of 50 states and territories announcing two significant cooperation agreements and settlements with Heritage Pharmaceuticals and Apotex totaling $49.1 million. These agreements resolve allegations that both companies engaged in widespread, long-running conspiracies to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription drugs. The majority of the funds from the settlements will be used to compensate individuals and government agencies that overpaid for generic medications and a smaller portion will cover the costs of the litigation. If you purchased a generic prescription drug manufactured by either Heritage or Apotex between 2010 and 2018, you may be eligible for compensation. To determine your eligibility, call 1-866-290-0182 (Toll-Free), email [email protected] or visit?www.AGGenericDrugs.com. “Minnesotans want to know why the cost of prescription drugs keeps going up. Well, look no further than the conspiracy of corporations and executives scheming to reduce competition, raise prices, and line their pockets at your expense,”?said Attorney General Ellison.?“I am pleased that today’s settlements will return money to the people of Minnesota, and that our cooperation agreements will make it easier to hold the rest of the conspirators accountable.” #ConsumerProtection #Multistate #Settlement https://lnkd.in/grJB_CjX

The Office is currently seeking an Assistant Attorney General in the Residential Utilities Division of the Office. The attorney’s primary caseload will involve advocating for residential and small business utility customers. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly committed and collaborative team that makes a difference in the everyday lives of Minnesotans. Click the link below to apply! https://lnkd.in/eVJw8vRR #ResidentialUtilities #Attorney #AAG #StateJobs #NowHiring #TopWorkPlace

Today, the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General has reached a settlement with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota regarding the accessibility of mental health services. The settlement aims to make Blue Cross’ mental health care services more accessible and transparent to many Minnesotans. “Mental and behavioral healthcare is healthcare, period,”?said Attorney General Keith Ellison.?“We expect someone with a broken leg to be able to get the care they need, and the same should be true of Minnesotans struggling with conditions like depression or substance use disorder. I am pleased we were able to reach this agreement with Blue Cross to expand access to behavioral health services for Minnesotans across our state who use Blue Cross. My mission is to help folks afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect, and improving the people of Minnesota’s healthcare is fundamental to that mission.” Minnesotans with complaints about healthcare services can share those complaints online with the Attorney General’s Office. The Office can also be contacted by phone at (651) 296-3353 (Metro area) or (800) 657-3787 (Greater Minnesota). #ConsumerProtection #Healthcare #MentalHealth #Accessibility #Settlement #PeoplesLawyer https://lnkd.in/grKWwJPj

The Office is currently seeking three 2025 Spring Undergraduate Interns to join the Mondale-Humphrey Scholars program. This program has been designed to introduce undergraduate students to state service and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. As an undergraduate program we are seeking students with all types of majors and school or career goals (law students should seek out and apply for the Law Clerk program). Interns will have the opportunity to work directly with both legal and non-legal professionals supporting the mission of our Office. Click the link below to apply! https://lnkd.in/gm4AcyEg #Internship #NowHiring #StudentJobs #Spring #MNjobs #TopWorkPlace