ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG SUES TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO DEFEND CRITICAL CONSUMER PROTECTION EFFORTS

(Hartford, CT) — Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the complete defunding of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which has returned more than $21 billion improperly taken from over 205 million Americans throughout its 14-year existence. The CFPB’s current acting director, Russel Vought, is attempting to completely defund the agency by refusing to request any funding from the Federal Reserve, which will virtually guarantee the agency runs out of money in January 2026. As Attorney General Tong and the coalition argue, this will have devastating impacts on consumers and severely disrupt states’ consumer protection abilities, which rely on consumer complaints and data from CFPB. Attorney General Tong and the coalition argue that CFPB has a legal requirement to collect and process consumer complaints and share that complaint data with states, and that Vought’s actions violate the law and the Constitution. The lawsuit seeks a court order preventing the administration from completely defunding CFPB.

“This is yet another attempt by the Trump Administration to dismantle and destroy the federal government, laws and Congress be damned. And it is yet another blow to American families and consumers who would be less protected against cheaters and scammers and unfair business practices. We’re suing to defend these bedrock consumer protections,” said Attorney General Tong.

Established in the wake of the Great Recession, CFPB is an independent agency funded entirely by the Federal Reserve focused on regulating financial institutions and products to protect consumers. The CFPB writes and enforces rules to regulate financial institutions, collects critical economic data, and fields millions of consumer complaints every year. In addition, CFPB is the only federal agency authorized to supervise the nation’s largest banks for their compliance with consumer financial protection laws.

Beyond its own consumer protection actions, CFPB is legally mandated to provide vital information to states to aid their own consumer protection efforts. States rely on consumer complaints from CFPB to investigate wrongdoing, secure refunds and restitution for consumers, and support their own litigation against financial institutions. In addition, CFPB collects demographic and geographic lending data under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, which states use to protect homebuyers from discriminatory lending.

States also regularly refer consumer complaints to CFPB for further assistance. As Attorney General Tong and the coalition argue, completely defunding CFPB will eliminate this important resource for resolving complaints and securing justice for cheated consumers.  

In November, Vought took a novel position that the agency can only be funded by the Federal Reserve’s “profits,” which he asserted are currently nonexistent. Vought therefore made the decision not to request any funding from the Federal Reserve, making it all but certain that CFPB will run out of funding completely in January 2026. 

Attorney General Tong and the coalition argue that Vought’s decision not to seek any funding for CFPB is unlawful and unconstitutional. The CFPB has a legal obligation to provide states with consumer complaints – a duty it will not be able to fulfill without the necessary funds. Completely eliminating CFPB funding also violates the Separation of Powers principle, as the agency was established by Congress, which also created a process for it to regularly receive funding from the Federal Reserve. Attorney General Tong and the coalition are seeking a court order preventing the administration from carrying out its decision not to request any funds for CFPB and ordering the agency to request funding from the Federal Reserve to fulfill its duties as required by the law. 

Joining Attorney General Tong in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

STRATFORD LIBRARY TEEN EVENTS IN JANUARY

1/6–1/31: I Have a Dream Interactive Display
Join us in celebrating MLK, Jr’s birthday by continuing the DREAM! Martin had a dream, what’s your DREAM? Share your dreams for the future on our interactive display! Let’s inspire each other and keep the DREAMs moving forward. Grades 6–12. No registration required. Location: Teen Department.

1/8: 3:00–4:30 pm: Teen Paint by Number
Need a calming activity before midterms? Paint by number is here! We’ll have various canvases to pick from. Grades 6–12. No registration needed. Location: Lovell Room.

1/9–1/20: Mid-Term Stress Buster Grab ‘N Go
Mid-terms—no problem! Each G’N’G contains note cards, post-its, pens, pencils, stress balls, ERASERS, & some surprises. Stop by the Teen Desk & grab your mid-term prep kit while supplies last. Grades 6–12. No registration required. Location: Teen Department.

1/12–1/15: 3:00–4:30 pm: Manifest It! 2026
Manifest It! 2026 is here and we are manifesting greatness. Drop in to the Teen Department after school and create a vision board to help achieve your goals. All supplies provided. Grades 6–12. No registration required. Location: Teen Department.

1/14: All Day: National Dress Up Your Pet Day
We all love our fur friends so let’s share the love! Dress your pet in their best ‘fit’ and post a pic on Discord to celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day. Post your pic anytime this month. Don’t have a pet—be creative! There will be a prize for the most ‘likes.’ Grades 6–12. No registration required. Location: Discord #pop up challenges.

1/26: 4:00–5:30 pm: Candy Sushi
Make “sushi” out of candy and other sweet treats! Grades 6–12. No registration required. Location: Lovell Room.

1/29: 3:30–5:00 pm: Puzzle Mania
Join this friendly competition and see who can complete our puzzle challenge the fastest. Grades 6–12. No registration required. Location: Lovell Room.

Police Confirm Gun Fired During Teen Dispute at Trumbull Mall; No Injuries Reported

Trumbull Police have confirmed that a firearm was discharged during a dispute involving several teenagers at the Trumbull Mall late Friday afternoon. Officers responded to numerous 911 calls around 5:45 p.m. reporting a disturbance on the upper level of the mall near the Macy’s store.

According to police, the teens—who were all known to one another—became involved in a heated argument while walking through the shopping center. During the dispute, one individual displayed a handgun and fired at least one shot inside the mall. Authorities confirmed that no one was struck by the gunfire and no injuries were reported.

Traffic exiting the mall around its 6:00 p.m. closing time was delayed as officers searched for those involved, who are believed to have fled the scene quickly. The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives following multiple leads and reviewing evidence collected from the scene. Due to deteriorating weather conditions and heavy shopper traffic, Trumbull Police were assisted by mutual aid officers from Bridgeport, Fairfield, and Monroe. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Trumbull Police Department at (203) 261-3665, ext. 0.

Witness Reports Single Gunshot During Fight at Trumbull Mall

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An anonymous witness reports that a single gunshot was fired during a brief fight inside the Trumbull Mall Friday evening.

According to the witness, the incident occurred around 5:35 p.m. when a group of teenagers came up the escalator from the food court toward the front of Macy’s and began yelling. Several individuals allegedly threw punches, and during the altercation one person reportedly pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and fired a single shot, which struck the ground.

The witness stated they did not see anyone injured or observe any signs of a gunshot wound victim. Police were reported to be on scene shortly after the incident, but all involved parties had fled prior to their arrival.

Photos shared by the witness reportedly show a shell casing and the location where the bullet struck the ground. The witness requested to remain anonymous.

At this time, no information has been confirmed by authorities, and there have been no official reports of injuries.

This story remains developing. Thanks everyone for sending in anonymous video and pictures of the altercation.

ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG LEADS NEARLY $150 MILLION MULTISTATE SETTLEMENT WITH MERCEDES-BENZ USA AND DAIMLER AG OVER EMISSIONS FRAUD

Connecticut to receive $4,989,276

(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today led a coalition of 50 attorneys general announcing a $149,673,750 settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG for violating state laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices by marketing, selling and leasing vehicles equipped with undisclosed emissions defeat devices that illegally circumvented Connecticut’s strong emissions standards. The settlement also includes more than $200 million in potential consumer relief.

“Mercedes-Benz and Daimler hid devices inside their vehicles to cheat emissions tests, knowingly pumping out toxic emissions far exceeding legal limits. Their deception hurt their customers and harmed air quality for all Americans, and we’re holding them accountable. This settlement, as with others previously reached with Volkswagen and Fiat Chrysler, sends millions of dollars back to states as well as comprehensive relief for consumers who purchased these defective vehicles. Connecticut led the nationwide coalition reaching today’s settlement and will continue to lead in protecting consumers from bad actors who defraud and deceive the American people,” said Attorney General Tong.

“Consumers deserve to know exactly what they are purchasing, and they should be able to reasonably assume that any new car they buy is in compliance with all laws and regulations,” said Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “This deception was unfair to consumers and a clear violation of public trust. Thank you to the Attorney General’s office for their work to hold companies accountable for their advertising and marketing practices.”

Beginning in 2008 and continuing to 2016, the states allege Mercedes manufactured, marketed, advertised, and distributed nationwide more than 211,000 diesel passenger cars and vans equipped with software defeat devices that optimized emission controls during emissions tests, while reducing those controls outside of normal operations. The defeat devices enabled vehicles to exceed legal limits of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions, a harmful pollutant that causes respiratory illness and contributes to the formation of smog. Mercedes engaged in this conduct to achieve design and performance goals, such as increased fuel efficiency and reduced maintenance, that it was unable to meet while complying with applicable emission standards. Mercedes concealed the existence of these defeat devices from state and federal regulators and the public. At the same time, Mercedes marketed the vehicles to consumers as “environmentally-friendly” and in compliance with applicable emissions regulations. 

Today’s settlement requires Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG to pay $120 million to the states upon the effective date of the settlement. An additional $29,673,750 will be suspended and potentially waived pending completion of a comprehensive consumer relief program. 

Connecticut will receive $4,989,276 through today’s settlement. It is estimated that there are 3,181 impacted vehicles registered in Connecticut.

The consumer relief program extends to the estimated 39,565 vehicles that had not been repaired or permanently removed from the road in the United States by August 1, 2023. Mercedes must bear the cost of installing approved emission modification software on each of the affected vehicles. The companies must provide participating consumers with an extended warranty and will pay consumers $2,000 per subject vehicle. 

The companies must also comply with reporting requirements, reform their practices, and refrain from including a prohibition on any further unfair or deceptive marketing or sale of diesel vehicles, including misrepresentations regarding emissions and compliance. 

Today’s settlement follows similar settlements reached previously between the states and Volkswagen, Fiat Chrysler and German engineering company Robert Bosch GmbH over its development of the cheat software. Automaker Fiat Chrysler and its subsidiaries paid $72.5 million to the states in 2019. Bosch paid $98.7 million in 2019. Volkswagen reached a $570 million settlement with the states in 2016.  

The attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, and Maryland led the multistate investigation and settlement, and were assisted by Alabama, Georgia, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Texas.  The final settlement was also joined by Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.

Assistant Attorneys General Brendan Flynn, Scott Koschwitz, and Rebecca Quinn and Deputy Associate Attorney General Michael Wertheimer, Chief of the Consumer Protection Section and Deputy Associate Attorney General Matthew Levine, Chief of the Environment Section assisted the Attorney General in this matter.

AG Tong Leads Multistate Opposition to Trump Rollbacks of PFAS Regulations

HARTFORD, CT — Attorney General William Tong announced that he is leading a coalition of 15 attorneys general opposing efforts by the Trump administration to roll back federal reporting requirements for PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals.”

In a formal comment letter submitted to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, the attorneys general objected to proposed changes that would gut PFAS data reporting and recordkeeping requirements established by Congress under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The existing rule, finalized by EPA in 2023, requires manufacturers and importers to report known information about PFAS in their products during a one-time reporting period scheduled to begin in April 2026.

PFAS are widely used manmade chemicals found in everyday products such as non-stick cookware, food packaging, clothing, car seats, and stain-resistant furnishings. State officials say manufacturers concealed the dangers of PFAS for decades, despite evidence showing the chemicals persist indefinitely in the environment and accumulate in human blood.

Attorney General Tong said the proposed rollbacks would exempt more than 98 percent of entities expected to possess vital PFAS information, shielding manufacturers through a series of carveouts previously rejected by EPA. He warned that weakening the rule would undermine states’ ability to protect residents, particularly firefighters and workers who face disproportionate exposure.

Scientific findings cited by the attorneys general link PFAS exposure to serious health risks, including multiple cancers, liver damage, birth defects, infertility, and weakened immune response. Tong emphasized that TSCA requires transparency and oversight to ensure chemical safety and said dismantling the reporting rule would violate federal law.

Tong also noted that Connecticut has two pending lawsuits against 28 chemical manufacturers accused of contaminating state water and natural resources with PFAS. The lawsuits seek injunctive relief, cleanup costs, and financial penalties for decades of alleged violations.

Attorneys general from California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin joined the effort.

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