Attorney General Todd Rokita leads 7 states concerned about Target's anti-child, anti-parent campaign for ‘LGBTQIA+ Pride’
Attorney General Todd Rokita is leading 7 states expressing legal concern that Target Corp.’s extremist “LGBTQIA+ Pride” campaign is damaging states’ efforts to safeguard citizens.
“We work daily to protect children and uphold parental rights,” Attorney General Rokita said. “In my role, I defend Indiana laws focused on these very priorities. Further, we look out for our individual states’ economic interests as Target shareholders.”
In a letter, Attorney General Rokita and the other states advise Target to stop promoting and selling potentially harmful products to minors.
Target has marketed girls’ swimsuits with “tuck-friendly construction” and “extra crotch coverage” for male genitalia.
It also has sold merchandise produced by the self-declared “Satanist-Inspired” brand Abprallen, which is known for designs that glorify violence.
Target has sold items featuring the phrase “We Bash Back” with a heart-shaped mace — a heavy club typically having a metal head and spikes — in the trans-flag colors. Another design includes the phrase “Transphobe Collector” alongside a skull. Yet another product features skulls beside a pastel guillotine labeled as a “Homophobe Headrest.”
Following publicity over its decision to market such items, Target suffered a drop in sales and stock price.
“Transanity doesn’t sell,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Let’s all unite around pride in America instead of falling into the trap of dividing along lines of identity politics.”
Attorney General Rokita’s full letter is attached.
Another win for Hoosier life. Indiana Supreme Court rules the state’s near-total abortion ban does NOT violate the Indiana Constitution
Attorney General Todd Rokita’s Office recently released the following statement on the ruling in the Medical Licensing Board v. Planned Parenthood case:
“The Indiana Supreme Court has just upheld the abortion laws passed by the Indiana General Assembly. We celebrate this day – one long in coming, but morally justified. Thank you to all the warriors who have fought for this day that upholds LIFE.”
Attorney General Todd Rokita and Team make National Impact by Leading Fight Against Woke Anti-Consumer
ESG Strategies
Attorney General Todd Rokita’s leadership of a 17-state effort opposing the anti-capitalism and anti-consumer schemes of so-called ESG investing has helped prompt action at the federal level.
“Our team here in Indiana works hard to protect liberty, free enterprise and the rule of law,” Attorney General Rokita said. “With servants’ hearts, we aspire each day to defend the interests of individual Hoosiers across the state. And through collaboration with other states, we make a positive difference for all Americans.”
In May, Attorney General Rokita co-led a multistate motion to intervene in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC’s) dealings with BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager. BlackRock has sought to force a radical climate agenda on American utility companies.
Following that action, a group of 11 U.S. senators has also demanded that FERC investigate BlackRock’s actions — and BlackRock’s CEO has begun backpedaling from the company’s past record.
This month, Attorney General Rokita and other attorneys general penned a letter to BlackRock Mutual Funds trustees warning them of potential deceptive and unfair acts and practices — and violations of state securities laws and state common law.
ESG investing seeks to impose an “environmental, social and governance” agenda that could not otherwise be implemented through the ballot box.
At least one of the 11 senators demanding the FERC investigation cited the17-state motion to intervene as inspiring the senators’ letter.
Previously, BlackRock has signed onto activist crusades such as Climate Action 100+ (CA100+) and the Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiatives — which seek to coordinate shareholder voting power across their membership to influence the operations of utilities.
“Ultimately, the radical activists would force utilities to retire all of their gas and coal plants,” Attorney General Rokita said. “But gas and coal represent over 60% of America’s electricity supply. Losing this energy would weaken our country and raise utility bills for regular Americans, including elderly Hoosiers on fixed incomes.”
Further, he added, the ESG strategies diminish the value of retirees’ investment accounts.
According to news reports, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink proposed replacing the term “ESG” with “conscientious capitalism” because of the negative perceptions of the former term.
“Whatever you call it, an investment strategy aimed at achieving woke left-wing outcomes rather than maximizing returns for investors is bad news,” Attorney General Rokita said. “There’s no point trying to put lipstick on that pig.”
Aside from the BlackRock example, Attorney General Rokita has also led efforts against ESG investing in other cases — filing another motion to intervene in a case involving the Vanguard Group, for example, and filing a lawsuit against the Biden administration over a Department of Labor rule.
He also has written an op-ed on the topic.
Attorney General Todd Rokita is speaking out against Electric Drive Transportation Association and Zero Emission Transportation Association's recent attempts to eliminate AM radio from electric vehicles.
When it comes to vital safety alerts and natural disaster warnings, AM radio is quicker and more resilient, as its signals travel greater distances as compared to FM. Citizens can also receive information via AM radio even when phone lines, electricity, and cell phones are inoperable.
Listen to Attorney General Rokita’s statement here: https://bit.ly/3XLXHmB
Read our letter below.
Attorney General Todd Rokita Oversees Eight
Investigations Leading to Charges as part of Nationwide
Healthcare Fraud Takedown
Attorney General Todd Rokita recently announced that his office has played a key role in a major nationwide enforcement action against doctors, nurses and other licensed medical professionals for alleged participation in health care fraud schemes. The Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) conducted eight criminal investigations in alleged Medicaid fraud, leading to charges against nine individuals.
“In Indiana, Medicaid benefits are intended to help provide needed medical care for disabled and low-income Hoosiers,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Unfortunately, unscrupulous providers all too often try to divert these resources to serve their own selfish desires. In the process, they scam their fellow taxpayers whose hard-earned money supports these programs. Our team of lawyers and investigators will continue to hold accountable all those who illegally try to defraud the system.”
In the eight cases, the Indiana Attorney General’s MFCU investigated licensed healthcare professionals and medical offices where suspected illegal activity occurred.
In all the mentioned cases, Attorney General Rokita’s attorneys are prosecuting the alleged crimes with assent of the local prosecutors’ offices in the counties where the alleged crimes occurred.
These investigations are part of a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Following are summations of cases in which Indiana’s MFCU investigators participated. In each case, the fact that a person has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation, and these persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The abbreviations "LPN" and "RN" designate licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, respectively.
- In Bartholomew County, LPN Erin McMillan, 44, of Columbus, Indiana, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud; furnishing false or fraudulent information; and failure to make, keep, or furnish a record — all Level 6 felonies. Among other things, the complaint alleges that video footage was viewed by staff at the facility where McMillan worked showing her removing medications from the narcotic box and then never leaving the area to go administer the medications. Staff also allegedly observed her walking back behind the nurses’ station and putting items into her personal bag. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Grainne Kao of the Indiana MFCU.
- In Hancock County, RN Wendy Hahn, 52, of Indianapolis, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and furnishing false or fraudulent information — both level 6 felonies. She was also charged with theft as a class A misdemeanor. The complaint alleges that Hahn was arrested in Rush County on different charges, and the arresting officer, in searching her vehicle, found controlled substances packaged for patients. The police relayed that information to the Indiana MFCU, which opened an investigation into the origin of the medication. MFCU Investigator Jack Beckley was able to connect the medication to a Hancock County facility. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Grainne Kao of Indiana MFCU.
- In Hendricks County, Heather Heugel, 37, of Plainfield, Indiana, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud; furnishing false or fraudulent information; and failure to make, keep, or furnish a record — all Level 6 felonies. It is further alleged that in a statement, Heugel stated she did not have an explanation for these errors and had not been making the best decisions. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Grainne Kao of the Indiana MFCU.
- In Lake County, Kandice Duke, 43, of Merrillville, Indiana, is charged with two counts of Level 6 Felony Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud/deceit or Subterfuge. Duke is alleged to have stolen narcotic pain medication prescribed for two residents at a Crown Point facility while she was working as an LPN. It is further alleged that during the course of the investigation Duke admitted taking the pills for her personal use. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Maureen O’Donnell of the Indiana MFCU.
- In LaPorte County, Traci Lindfors, 50, of Michigan City, Indiana, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud; furnishing false or fraudulent information; and failure to make, keep, or furnish a record — all Level 6 felonies. The complaint alleges, among other things, that Lindfors withheld medication from residents at the facility where she worked in order to keep the medication for herself. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Grainne Kao of the Indiana MFCU.
- In LaPorte County, RN Victoria Lee Bell, 57, of Michigan City, Indiana, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud and failure to make, keep, or furnish a record — both Level 6 felonies. Among other things, the complaint alleges that Bell admitted to stealing medication. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Grainne Kao of the Indiana MFCU.
- In Madison County, RN Melissa Lou Fannin, 43, of Hartford City, Indiana, is charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, furnishing false or fraudulent information, and possession of a narcotic drug — all Level 6 felonies. It is alleged that Fannin, while working at a hospital, dispensed hydromorphone at a rate 155% higher than the next RN in the same unit and was taking controlled substances for her own use. This case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Grainne Kao of the Indiana MFCU.
- In Marshall County, Daniel Tanner, 52, is charged with aiding, inducing, or causing the practice of medicine without a license — a Level 5 felony; issuing invalid prescription for legend drugs by a practitioner—a Level 6 felony; and aiding, inducing, or causing practicing nursing while license suspended or revoked — a Class B misdemeanor. His brother, David Tanner, 55, is charged with practicing medicine without a license — a Level 5 felony — and practicing nursing while license suspended or revoked — a Class B misdemeanor. These charges are in connection with their operation of Concierge Medicine of Marshall County. It is alleged that Daniel Tanner, a nurse practitioner, owned and operated Concierge Medicine and employed his brother David Tanner as a nurse, despite David’s nursing license having been indefinitely suspended since 2005. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Anwarzai with Indiana MFCU. This matter was investigated by Indiana MFCU and the Indiana State Police.
Attorney General Rokita expressed gratitude to the investigators and attorneys of his Indiana MFCU team for their hard work on these cases.
The Indiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a federal grant. The remaining 25 percent is funded by the State of Indiana.
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