Commerce News & Announcements

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Featured image for “NEWS RELEASE: 42 State and Territory Attorneys General Urge Meta to Take Action Against Investment Scam Ads”

NEWS RELEASE: 42 State and Territory Attorneys General Urge Meta to Take Action Against Investment Scam Ads

June 11, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 11, 2025  — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) today announced that a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general has sent a letter to Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta), urging the company to take immediate and meaningful action to address the proliferation of fraudulent investment advertisements on Facebook and WhatsApp. The letter, addressed to Meta’s Chief Legal Officer Jennifer...
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NEWS RELEASE: Bipartisan Coalition of 42 Attorneys General Urges Passage of Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act

June 10, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 9, 2025 — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) today announced that 42 attorneys general from across the states and territories have signed a bipartisan letter urging Congress to swiftly pass the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 2808 and S. 1467). The legislation seeks to end the abusive use of mortgage credit trigger leads...
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NEWS RELEASE: Robert Cummings Appointed as New Director of the Utah Division of Securities

May 12, 2025
Salt Lake City, Utah—The Utah Department of Commerce has appointed Robert Cummings as the new Director of the Utah Division of Securities (Division). Cummings brings over 15 years of experience in civil and criminal litigation, along with a strong passion for public service, to his new role. He has tried several cases in the securities industry, including criminal securities fraud...
Featured image for “NEWS RELEASE: Investment Scammer Sentenced to 96 Months’ Imprisonment for Defrauding Alpha Influence Investors of Over $20M”

NEWS RELEASE: Investment Scammer Sentenced to 96 Months’ Imprisonment for Defrauding Alpha Influence Investors of Over $20M

May 8, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jeremiah Joseph Evans, aka “The Bull,” 29, of Utah County, Utah, was sentenced today to 96 months’ imprisonment after he admitted to defrauding approximately $20,894,674 from approximately 530 investors in his company Alpha Influence LLC.   The sentence, imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Tena Campbell, comes after Evans pleaded guilty on January 23,...
Featured image for “NEWS RELEASE: Utah County Man Sentenced to Prison for Affinity Fraud Scheme that Scammed Over $5M from Alpha Influence Investors”

NEWS RELEASE: Utah County Man Sentenced to Prison for Affinity Fraud Scheme that Scammed Over $5M from Alpha Influence Investors

May 6, 2025
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Kole Glen Brimhall, 27, of Orem, Utah, was sentenced today to 12 months’ and one day imprisonment after he defrauded approximately 135 investors through the sale of a fraudulent investment offered through Alpha Influence, LLC, a registered Utah company. Brimhall was also sentenced to three years’ supervised release, and ordered to pay a forfeiture money...
Featured image for “NEWS RELEASE: Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy Announces Best Practices from Groundbreaking Study on AI Use in Mental Health Therapy”

NEWS RELEASE: Utah Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy Announces Best Practices from Groundbreaking Study on AI Use in Mental Health Therapy

April 29, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT—The Utah Department of Commerce’s Office of Artificial Intelligence Policy (OAIP) has released a guidance letter based on findings from a comprehensive study examining the integration of artificial intelligence technologies by mental health therapists. This pioneering research, conducted in partnership with the Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL), highlights essential guidelines that support therapists in leveraging AI while prioritizing patient welfare, data privacy, and ethical...
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NEWS RELEASE: Public Service Commission’s Order Approves Reduced Rate Increase for Rocky Mountain Power

April 28, 2025
Salt Lake City, UT—Today, the Public Service Commission issued an order that approved a general rate increase for Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) of $87.2 million, which marks a significant reduction of $243 million from the utility’s final request. RMP sought $330.2 million, a decrease from its original ask of $667 million. The advocacy of Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of...
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Consumer Advisory for Utahns: Protect Your Genetic Data Amid 23andMe Bankruptcy

March 24, 2025
Utah consumers have the right to request companies delete their genetic data  The Utah Department of Commerce’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) and Office of the Utah Attorney General (OAG) are issuing a consumer alert regarding the recent bankruptcy filing by 23andMe, a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company.  Utah residents should be aware of their rights and the protections afforded to...
Featured image for “NEWS RELEASE: Belgium National and Utah Business Owner Charged After Allegedly Running a $5M Ponzi Scheme”

NEWS RELEASE: Belgium National and Utah Business Owner Charged After Allegedly Running a $5M Ponzi Scheme

March 20, 2025
$3M of investor funds allegedly used on real estate, a personal chef, Chevrolet Corvette & more SALT LAKE CITY, Utah –A Belgium national and the owner of K & K Strategies is facing federal charges after he allegedly operated a $5 million Ponzi scheme.  The Utah investment owner, who was not licensed to sell securities, allegedly defrauded approximately 75 investors,...