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This week, I took action to protect our environment and hold companies accountable for breaking the law. Some plastic bag producers have been selling billions of bags labeled as “recyclable,” even though they can't actually be recycled in California.
The law is clear: Stores can only provide plastic bags that meet strict standards for recyclability and reusability, and consumers should be able to trust that following the instructions on the bags actually leads to recycling. These companies have knowingly misled Californians, profiting from false claims while polluting our land, waterways, and communities.
That’s why my office filed a lawsuit against three of these companies to enforce the law, ensure they pay penalties, and return profits earned from illegal sales. We also reached settlements with four other companies that agreed to stop selling these bags in California and collectively pay over $1.7 million.
No company is above the law. We'll continue to step in whenever laws are broken, protecting the environment, safeguarding public trust, and making sure Californians can rely on the products they buy.
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Exposing Illegal Actions at Root of Plastic Pollution Crisis
 This week, I announced the conclusion of California DOJ’s investigation into seven plastic bag producers, including settlements with four of the producers and a lawsuit against the remaining three. The producers at issue here have provided billions of plastic bags used by California grocery retailers — certifying that these bags meet recyclability requirements as required by SB 270. However, despite the producers' claims and widespread consumer belief, these plastic bags do not, in fact, appear to generally be recyclable, let alone "recyclable in the state," as SB 270 requires. Our legal actions make it clear: No company is above the law.
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Fighting Back Against ‘Solar for None’
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Alongside the California Public Utilities Commission, I sued to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s unlawful termination of the $7 billion Solar for All Program, including almost $250 million for California. Solar for All was built to deliver relief for all Americans — by lowering energy bills for working families, reducing our carbon footprint, and creating high-quality union jobs that would bolster our economy. In two lawsuits filed this week, we argue the EPA’s abrupt termination of the Solar for All Program breached its contractual obligations to the states and unlawfully revoked funds that Congress had already obligated. We have asked separate courts to declare the terminations unlawful, restore the funding, and reinstate the Solar for All Program.
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Seeking to Intervene in Merger Settlement Amid Allegations of Corruption
 Allegations that the Trump Administration approved a $14 billion merger because of backroom deals with their buddy lobbyists are extremely alarming. As policymakers and leaders, we must wield the power of our offices for the good of the people — not to line the pockets of friends. This week, I took action and asked a federal court to allow California and other states to participate in the court’s investigation of the HPE/Juniper merger settlement as it determines if the approval is in the best interest of the American people. My office is fully prepared to engage in the investigation — it is our duty to ensure the Trump Administration is using their power lawfully.
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Securing Court Order Blocking Trump’s Mass Surveillance Agenda
 The President is trying to hijack a nutrition program to fuel his mass surveillance agenda. We won’t let that happen — not on our watch, and not in our communities. This week, I secured a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s demand that states turn over personal and sensitive information about millions of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. We will continue to vigorously litigate this lawsuit and defend our communities, protect privacy, and ensure that SNAP remains a tool for fighting hunger — not a weapon for political targeting.
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Keeping You Safe
 Last week, we announced the filing of criminal charges and arrest of Rey Ariel Medeles, a former detective with the Major Narcotics Team of the Fresno Police Department (FPD), for two counts of grand theft and two counts of preparing false documentary evidence. The arrest is the result of a joint effort by FPD, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and California DOJ's Bureau of Investigation. The case will be prosecuted by our Special Prosecutions Section. We're grateful to FPD and the FBI for their collaboration in this matter. California peace officers have a duty to protect the public and uphold the public trust. Individuals who abuse that trust for personal gain violate their duty to the people and the law. California DOJ will continue to vigorously prosecute corruption at every turn and hold accountable those who break the law and the trust placed in them by the public.
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Making Your Life Affordable
 From groceries to gas, costs seem to be rising and rising ... and rising. California DOJ has your back and is committed to protecting California families grappling with the high cost of living. In this segment, find some of the ways California DOJ is protecting Californians — and their wallets.
Did You Know: California DOJ registers Sellers of Travel! You can check to see if a seller of travel is registered by going to our website here.
What this Means to You: The holiday season is quickly approaching, and many Californians use this time to travel to see loved ones or take a much-needed vacation. Time off should be a fun time for all; however, problems can arise that ruin your planned getaway. Because most vacations require payment in advance, travelers can be a prime target for scammers. Be skeptical about unsolicited travel offers, telephone calls, emails, or mail saying that you won a fabulous vacation or chance to book for free or at a very low rate. It may be a scam. For more tips, please visit our website here. Safe traveling, California!
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CARE Corner
 October is LGBTQ+ History Month, and the Office of Community Awareness, Response, and Engagement (CARE) had the honor of attending the 15th Annual Salinas Valley Pride event, A Very Queer Quinceañera. This event was an opportunity to connect with LGBTQ+ community members and allies on the Central Coast and share California DOJ’s work to protect and defend LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination. Learn more about California DOJ’s work here.
Pictured left to right Eric Mora, President, Salinas Valley Pride; Laura Tinajero, Community Outreach Manager, Office of CARE; and Richelle Santillan, Executive Director, The Epicenter.
To learn more about CARE’s Community Outreach Managers or to invite them to your organization’s event, please visit their webpage.
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Post of the Week
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FLASH BRIEFING
Attorney General Bonta Reaches Settlement with Companies Accused of Selling Sham Health Plans to Californians
Attorney General Bonta Leads Multistate Coalition in Opposing Citizenship Documentation Requirement for Federal Voter Registration Form
Attorney General Bonta Secures $40 Million Settlement with Health Net for Misleading Consumers with Inaccurate Provider Directories
Attorney General Bonta’s Sponsored Bill to Protect Children from Harm by Big Tech Signed into Law
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Video of the Week
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 As a Supervising Deputy Attorney General within the Civil Rights Enforcement Section, Vilma Palma-Solana protects and defends the rights of immigrant Californians each and every day.
Learn more about her journey from El Salvador to the Coachella Valley, to California DOJ and beyond in her #MeetYourDOJ. #latinoheritagemonth
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Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help California DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General Supervisor, Appeals Writs and Trials Section
Graduate Legal Assistant, Correctional Law Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Antitrust Law
Deputy Attorney General III, Tort & Condemnation
Deputy Attorney General IV, Health Education & Welfare Section
Director, Office of Fiscal Services
Senior Assistant Attorney General, Opinion Unit
Senior eDiscovery Specialist, Legal Support Services
Investigative Auditor III, Special Prosecutions Section
FAST Team Office Technician, Business Services Unit
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