Oklahoma Supreme Court Pauses TSET Law, Sparking Debate on Tobacco Control Measures

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Supreme Court has issued a stay on the law governing the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), halting its implementation temporarily. The decision comes amid ongoing debates about the future of the trust and its financial strategies. The stay was granted in response to legal challenges aimed at specific provisions of the TSET law, which primarily focuses on how funds from tobacco settlement revenues are utilized in the state. This legal move puts a pause on any changes to the management and allocation of those resources, which have been integral to … Read more

Federal Court Pauses Lawsuit Against CFPB as Negotiations Over Credit Card Late Fee Cap Show Promise

FORT WORTH, Texas — A federal court has temporarily paused legal proceedings in a high-stakes lawsuit over a contentious rule limiting credit card late fees, an issue that pits financial institutions against consumer advocates. The 30-day stay, authorized by U.S. District Court Judge Mark Pittman on March 13, followed optimistic signals from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) about reaching a settlement with challengers, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Consumer Bankers Association. The dispute centers on a CFPB rule established in March 2024, capping credit card late fees at $8, a sharp … Read more

Federal Judge Pauses NYC Mayor Eric Adams’ Corruption Trial, Appoints Ex-Solicitor General for Legal Guidance on Charge Dismissal

New York, NY – A U.S. federal judge on Friday put a hold on the corruption trial of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, delaying any decision on the Justice Department’s contentious bid to dismiss charges until mid-March at the earliest. The judge also appointed a former U.S. solicitor general as counsel to assess the government’s request, which some critics argue may be politically motivated due to its timing near Adams’ re-election campaign. Mayor Adams, indicted in September, is accused of accepting over $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and travel benefits from foreign and local … Read more

Federal Judge Pauses Implementation of Corporate Transparency Act, Citing Legal Concerns

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has issued a temporary injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act, throwing a wrench into regulations aimed at curtailing financial secrecy among small businesses. The ruling, pending a lawsuit brought forth by a group of business associations, questions the burden imposed by the new law that requires smaller enterprises to disclose their ownership details. The contested legislation, passed with the intent of preventing illicit activities such as money laundering, mandates that businesses with fewer than 20 employees submit significant ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This provision, … Read more