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This December, my team and I are visiting and volunteering at AmeriCorps sites across the state to highlight the incredible service their members provide and the vital impact AmeriCorps programs have on our communities.
We began the week in Sacramento where we teamed up with high school students participating in the Improve Your Tomorrow mentorship program to stock a community food pantry. Then we traveled south to pack food alongside College Corps volunteers at Feeding San Diego. Both experiences were inspiring and impactful; I look forward to the other visits to come.
AmeriCorps members embody the true spirit of the holiday season — giving to others, serving communities, and helping those in need. I’m proud of the work my office did this year to protect AmeriCorps and ensure programs like these can continue to support our communities. As Attorney General, I will always defend the programs and services that our people rely on.
In your corner,
Rob
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Volunteering with AmeriCorps Members in Sacramento and San Diego
 AmeriCorps is an independent federal agency tasked with engaging Americans in meaningful community-based service that directly addresses the country’s educational, public safety, and environmental needs. In 2024, AmeriCorps invested more than $133 million in federal funding in California to support cost-effective community solutions. Earlier this year, my fellow attorneys general and I filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s unlawful effort to cut AmeriCorps funding and dismantle the agency. We subsequently secured a court order restoring AmeriCorps funding and programs. I’m grateful for the opportunity to volunteer in Sacramento and San Diego this week, where I heard from those on the ground about how their work makes a real difference in the lives of others.
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Launching New Online Portal to Report Misconduct by Federal Agents
 The Trump Administration is engaging in a campaign of terror and fear that has left some California communities scared to go about their daily lives. From unmarked military-style vehicles to detainments that more closely resemble kidnappings, Californians are rightly concerned that federal agents may be crossing the line and abusing their authority. That’s why, this week, Governor Gavin Newsom and I announced a new online portal — oag.ca.gov/ReportMisconduct — to assist members of the public in sharing information with California DOJ regarding potentially unlawful activity by federal agents and officers across the state. Let me be clear: Federal agents can enforce federal laws, and no one should interfere with them doing their job. But federal agents must also do so lawfully and in compliance with the Constitution.
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Blocking Trump Administration from Defunding Planned Parenthood and Other Health Centers
 This summer, I co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general and the state of Pennsylvania in filing a lawsuit over the Defund Provision within the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill." The Defund Provision excludes certain health centers, including Planned Parenthood health centers, from receiving federal Medicaid reimbursements. Among other things, these centers provide essential healthcare services to low-income patients, such as cancer screenings, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and birth control. This week, we secured a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump Administration from enforcing the Defund Provision. My fellow attorneys general and I have been, and will continue, fighting to defend access to reproductive care.
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Working to Reduce Plastic Pollution and Eliminate Avoidable Waste
 Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is often used for single-use disposable food service ware, such as trays, plates, bowls, clamshells, cups, and hinged or lidded containers. The sale, offer for sale, distribution, or importation of EPS food service ware — commonly known as Styrofoam — is banned in California, due to producers’ failure to demonstrate a 25% recycling rate for these items. This week, I issued an enforcement advisory letter to producers of EPS food service ware, reminding them of the ban and of our readiness to hold companies accountable for any violations. By eliminating avoidable waste, we reduce plastic pollution and create a cleaner, healthier future for our communities.
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Making Your Life Affordable
 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 we are protecting Californians — and their wallets.
What We Did: This week, my office asked Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) lenders for full transparency regarding their business practices in order to ensure these companies are following consumer protection laws.
BNPL is an increasingly common type of loan offered at the point of sale, especially online, and made by a third party lender.
What this Means to You: With the holiday season upon us, consumers may be tempted to turn to BNPL loans to afford gifts, without fully understanding that these loans can turn into serious debt and mounting fees that may damage their long-term credit. While some BNPL lenders do not charge interest if loans are paid on time, most BNPL lenders charge late fees and interest, and report late or missed payments to credit bureaus. Similar to predatory lending products, BNPL loans may contain terms and features that are known to trap people in cycles of debt.
With BNPL options being offered at the point of sale, tens of millions of consumers report taking out these loans. My office is committed to uncovering whether these products may be placing Californians at financial risk and alerting consumers to the possible impacts of taking out these loans.
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Keeping You Safe
 In partnership with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), this week I announced the arrest of and charges against a couple for their part in an alleged investment scheme targeting members of the close-knit Vietnamese community in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. Kim Nguyen and Phuc Huynh were arrested by LAPD officers and charged with 12 counts of Grand Theft in a complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by my office.
The complaint alleges that between 2019 and 2023, the two defendants solicited victims for various investment or loan opportunities, promising a safe investment with return of the original investment plus interest payments. In exchange for money, the defendants provided victims with promissory notes or loan agreements outlining the terms of the investment and the repayment schedule for the principal amount and interest rate. However, the money was not invested as promised; instead, it was used to make minimal Ponzi-style interest payments to previous investors and to fund the defendants’ business expenses and lifestyle, including an account at a Southern California casino.
We will continue to aggressively combat financial crimes and all criminal conduct, and work to bring perpetrators to justice.
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CARE Corner
 On the heels of Restorative Justice Month in November, CARE Assistant Deputy Director Jacqueline Salvi and members of California DOJ’s Victims’ Services Unit (VSU) — Victoria Ramirez, Karla Arango, and Sofia Morabito — met virtually this week with community-based service providers for a discussion about restorative justice successes and challenges. VSU is committed to expanding knowledge on restorative justice principles and resources and connecting with restorative justice practitioners.
In June 2025, VSU updated the Marsy's Rights and Resources card, which outlines victims’ rights, to include information about restorative justice pursuant to Assembly Bill 60 (Bryan, 2023).
For more information on VSU and services available to victims, survivors, and their families, please visit oag.ca.gov/victimservices or contact us at oag.ca.gov/victimservices/contact or 877-433-9069.
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Post of the Week
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FLASH BRIEFING
Attorney General Bonta Secures Compensation for Californians Harmed By Google, Announces Process for Consumers to Receive Payment from $700 Million Settlement
Attorney General Bonta Issues Consumer Alert: Credit Discrimination Remains Illegal Under California and Federal Law
Attorney General Bonta Opposes Trump Administration’s New Rule Cutting Wages for H-2A Temporary Farmworkers
Is it a Bird or a Plane? It’s the Robocall Task Force!
No-Poach Agreements Hurt Workers – We’re Fighting Back: Attorney General Bonta Secures Settlement Barring PSSI from Unlawful Labor Practice
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Photo of the Week
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AmeriCorps and College Corps support vital programs like Feeding San Diego that serve their communities.
We must ensure people can continue to give back, this month and all year round.
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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 IV, DMFEA Criminal Prosecutions Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Office of the Solicitor General
Deputy Attorney General IV, Healthcare Rights and Access
Deputy Attorney General IV, Licensing Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Native American and Tribal Affairs Section
Investigative Auditor III, Bureau of Gambling Control
Research Data Analyst II, Research Services Branch
eDLS Project Manager, Legal Support Services
Network Engineer, Technology Support Bureau
Paralegal, Land Use and Conservation
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