Latest news with #MarylandOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral
26-06-2025
- Politics
Federal lawsuit adds to allegations of child sexual abuse in Maryland youth detention centers
BALTIMORE -- A federal lawsuit could open a new chapter in an escalating legal battle in Maryland, where officials are struggling to address an unexpected onslaught of claims alleging child sexual abuse in state-run juvenile detention facilities. With thousands of similar claims already pending in state court, the litigation has raised questions about how Maryland will handle the potential financial liability. The new federal suit, filed Wednesday on behalf of three plaintiffs, seeks $300 million in damages — an amount that far exceeds caps imposed on claims filed in state court. It alleges Maryland juvenile justice leaders knew about a culture of abuse inside youth detention facilities and failed to address it, violating the plaintiffs' civil rights. A message seeking comment was left Thursday with the state's Department of Juvenile Services. The department generally doesn't comment on pending litigation. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General declined to comment. An estimated 11,000 plaintiffs have sued in state court, according to the attorneys involved. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said Wednesday that he believes negotiations for a potential settlement are ongoing between attorneys for the plaintiffs and the attorney general's office. Officials have said the state is facing a potential liability between $3 billion and $4 billion. Lawsuits started pouring in after a state law passed in 2023 eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims in Maryland. The change came in the immediate aftermath of a scathing investigative report that revealed widespread abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It prompted the archdiocese to file for bankruptcy to protect its assets. But Maryland leaders didn't anticipate they'd be facing similar budgetary concerns because of claims against the state's juvenile justice system. Facing a potentially enormous payout, lawmakers recently passed an amendment to limit future liabilities. The new law reduces caps on settlements from $890,000 to $400,000 for cases filed after May 31 against state institutions, and from $1.5 million to $700,000 for private institutions. It allows each claimant to receive only one payment, instead of being able to collect for each act of abuse. Suing in federal court allows plaintiffs to sidestep those limits. 'Despite Maryland's recent unconstitutional legislative efforts to insulate itself from liability for the horrific sexual brutalization of children in its custody, Maryland cannot run from liability under Federal law,' plaintiffs' attorney Corey Stern said in a statement. 'The United States Constitution was created for all of us, knowing that some would need protection from the tyranny of their political leaders.' The three plaintiffs in the federal case allege they were sexually abused by staff at two juvenile detention centers. While other lawsuits have mainly presented allegations of abuse occurring decades ago, the federal complaint focuses on events alleged to have happened in 2019 and 2020. The plaintiffs were 14 and 15 years old. The victims feared their sentences would be extended if they spoke out, according to the complaint. They accuse state officials of turning a blind eye to a 'culture of sexual brutalization and abuse.'
Los Angeles Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Federal lawsuit adds to allegations of child sexual abuse in Maryland youth detention centers
BALTIMORE — A federal lawsuit could open a new chapter in an escalating legal battle in Maryland, where officials are struggling to address an unexpected onslaught of claims alleging child sexual abuse in state-run juvenile detention facilities. With thousands of similar claims already pending in state court, the litigation has raised questions about how Maryland will handle the potential financial liability. The new federal suit, filed Wednesday on behalf of three plaintiffs, seeks $300 million in damages — an amount that far exceeds caps imposed on claims filed in state court. It alleges Maryland juvenile justice leaders knew about a culture of abuse inside youth detention facilities and failed to address it, violating the plaintiffs' civil rights. A message seeking comment was left Thursday with the state's Department of Juvenile Services. The department generally doesn't comment on pending litigation. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General declined to comment. An estimated 11,000 plaintiffs have sued in state court, according to the attorneys involved. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said Wednesday that he believes negotiations for a potential settlement are ongoing between attorneys for the plaintiffs and the attorney general's office. Officials have said the state is facing a potential liability between $3 billion and $4 billion. Lawsuits started pouring in after a state law passed in 2023 eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims in Maryland. The change came in the immediate aftermath of a scathing investigative report that revealed widespread abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It prompted the archdiocese to file for bankruptcy to protect its assets. But Maryland leaders didn't anticipate they'd be facing similar budgetary concerns because of claims against the state's juvenile justice system. Facing a potentially enormous payout, lawmakers recently passed an amendment to limit future liabilities. The new law reduces caps on settlements from $890,000 to $400,000 for cases filed after May 31 against state institutions, and from $1.5 million to $700,000 for private institutions. It allows each claimant to receive only one payment, instead of being able to collect for each act of abuse. Suing in federal court allows plaintiffs to sidestep those limits. 'Despite Maryland's recent unconstitutional legislative efforts to insulate itself from liability for the horrific sexual brutalization of children in its custody, Maryland cannot run from liability under Federal law,' plaintiffs' attorney Corey Stern said in a statement. 'The United States Constitution was created for all of us, knowing that some would need protection from the tyranny of their political leaders.' The three plaintiffs in the federal case allege they were sexually abused by staff at two juvenile detention centers. While other lawsuits have mainly presented allegations of abuse occurring decades ago, the federal complaint focuses on events alleged to have happened in 2019 and 2020. The plaintiffs were 14 and 15 years old. The victims feared their sentences would be extended if they spoke out, according to the complaint. They accuse state officials of turning a blind eye to a 'culture of sexual brutalization and abuse.' Stern said he anticipates more federal claims will be forthcoming. Skene writes for the Associated Press.
Winnipeg Free Press
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Federal lawsuit adds to allegations of child sexual abuse in Maryland youth detention centers
BALTIMORE (AP) — A federal lawsuit could open a new chapter in an escalating legal battle in Maryland, where officials are struggling to address an unexpected onslaught of claims alleging child sexual abuse in state-run juvenile detention facilities. With thousands of similar claims already pending in state court, the litigation has raised questions about how Maryland will handle the potential financial liability. The new federal suit, filed Wednesday on behalf of three plaintiffs, seeks $300 million in damages — an amount that far exceeds caps imposed on claims filed in state court. It alleges Maryland juvenile justice leaders knew about a culture of abuse inside youth detention facilities and failed to address it, violating the plaintiffs' civil rights. Messages seeking comment were left Thursday with the state's Department of Juvenile Services and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. The department generally doesn't comment on pending litigation. An estimated 11,000 plaintiffs have sued in state court, according to the attorneys involved. Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said Wednesday that he believes negotiations for a potential settlement are ongoing between attorneys for the plaintiffs and the attorney general's office. Officials have said the state is facing a potential liability between $3 billion and $4 billion. Lawsuits started pouring in after a state law passed in 2023 eliminated the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims in Maryland. The change came in the immediate aftermath of a scathing investigative report that revealed widespread abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It prompted the archdiocese to file for bankruptcy to protect its assets. But Maryland leaders didn't anticipate they'd be facing similar budgetary concerns because of claims against the state's juvenile justice system. Facing a potentially enormous payout, lawmakers recently passed an amendment to limit future liabilities. The new law reduces caps on settlements from $890,000 to $400,000 for cases filed after May 31 against state institutions, and from $1.5 million to $700,000 for private institutions. It allows each claimant to receive only one payment, instead of being able to collect for each act of abuse. Suing in federal court allows plaintiffs to sidestep those limits. 'Despite Maryland's recent unconstitutional legislative efforts to insulate itself from liability for the horrific sexual brutalization of children in its custody, Maryland cannot run from liability under Federal law,' plaintiffs' attorney Corey Stern said in a statement. 'The United States Constitution was created for all of us, knowing that some would need protection from the tyranny of their political leaders.' The three plaintiffs in the federal case allege they were sexually abused by staff at two juvenile detention centers. While other lawsuits have mainly presented allegations of abuse occurring decades ago, the federal complaint focuses on events alleged to have happened in 2019 and 2020. The plaintiffs were 14 and 15 years old. The victims feared their sentences would be extended if they spoke out, according to the complaint. They accuse state officials of turning a blind eye to a 'culture of sexual brutalization and abuse.' Stern said he anticipates more federal claims will be forthcoming.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Yahoo
About 31,000 impacted by Baltimore City Public Schools cyberattack
BALTIMORE — A cybersecurity attack against Baltimore City Public Schools impacted over 31,000 Maryland residents, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General confirmed Thursday. On Feb. 13, the school system experienced a cybersecurity incident affecting certain informational technology systems within its network, City Schools announced Tuesday. The documents contained information belonging to some current and former employees, students, volunteers and contractors, the district said. The incident might have resulted in unauthorized acquisition of folders, files or records belonging to some current and former employees who completed the I-9 verification process as part of their onboarding. Certain employees, volunteers, and contractors who have undergone a background check with City Schools could have also been impacted. The attorney general's office said 'approximately' 31,125 people were affected, and 1,00 of them were students, according to the school system. The files might have contained social security, driver's license and passport numbers, according to City Schools. The district is offering complimentary credit monitoring services to help mitigate harm. Baltimore City Schools could not be reached for comment Thursday morning. --------------
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Heartbroken mom speaks out after 3-year-old daughter killed by driver fleeing police in Maryland
PRINCE GEORGE'S CO., Md. - A Prince George's County mother is mourning the death of her three-year-old daughter, who was killed when a suspect fleeing police slammed into their car. Investigators say the suspect was fleeing from District Heights police when they hit the mother and daughter in their car. FOX 5's Shomari Stone visited the home of the Harrison family, where three-year-old Zoey rode her bikes, played with toys and played with her pet turtle. The Independent Investigations Division of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General says the driver of an Inifiniti crashed into the car Zoey and her mother Tanisha were in on Addison Road South on the evening of Friday, March 7. Two District Heights police officers and one Capitol Heights officer were involved in the fatal collision. According to investigators, the driver was speeding away from police after an officer attempted to make a traffic stop on Marlboro Pike. Medics took Tanishia and Zoey to the hospital, where the little girl was later pronounced dead. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General is still investigating the circumstances of the crash.
