Penalty Amount
$5,000,000
The Connecticut Attorney General obtained a $5 million stipulated judgment against Vision Solar for alleged deceptive sales practices, including high-pressure tactics, misrepresentations, and performing unpermitted work. Although the company is bankrupt and cannot pay, the judgment establishes binding operational standards for solar companies in Connecticut regarding disclosures, contracting, permitting, and use of licensed contractors.
The judgment imposes a $5 million civil penalty and includes injunctive relief requiring: clear disclosure of solar generation estimates and costs; itemization of all services; prohibition on using tablets/phones for signatures and same-day contract signing after first visit; prohibition on work before obtaining permits; and requirement to use licensed electricians for electrical work.
In-house legal teams should review all customer-facing agreements, particularly residential solar sales contracts and installation service agreements. Key clauses to examine include: disclosure statements (ensuring no misrepresentations about costs, performance, or permits), contract execution terms (prohibiting same-day signing after first visit and restricting electronic signatures via tablets/phones), permitting responsibilities (requiring contractor to obtain all permits before work begins), and contractor licensing mandates (verifying use of licensed contractors). Agreements may need amendments to add a mandatory cooling-off period, explicit affordability/credit checks, and strengthened representations/warranties regarding permit acquisition and system activation.
Entity
Vision Solar
Industry
OtherOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-announces-5-million-judgment-against-bankrupt-vision-solar
vision solar motion for judgment w exhibit.pdf?rev=a97cfa248
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/vision-solar-motion-for-judgment-w-exhibit.pdf?rev=a97cfa248c1545109cb915273b8f35ea&hash=8CBD2E884B72B6E834114C46C6F74217
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$625K
Connecticut reached a $625,000 settlement with Frontier Communications Parent Inc. over an April 2024 breach in which compromised employee and vendor credentials were used to access internal systems and exfiltrate unencrypted personal information of 58,841 Connecticut residents. The settlement requires Frontier to strengthen its security program, implement specific safeguards and training, and obtain an independent third-party assessment.
$2.6M
Connecticut and New York found that Boston Children’s Health Physicians and its security vendor, XTIUM, failed to use reasonable safeguards, resulting in hackers accessing sensitive personal, medical, and employee information. The companies agreed to pay penalties totaling $2.64 million and implement enhanced cybersecurity measures.
Connecticut joined a coalition of state attorneys general filing a notice in Character Technologies, Inc.’s bankruptcy proceedings, raising concerns about the company’s safety and privacy practices and the sensitive information it holds. The states seek protections for children and consumers if the company’s business or assets are sold or transferred; the filing does not impose a fine or other remedy.
Attorney General William Tong and Consumer Counsel Claire Coleman petitioned PURA to review how Connecticut public utilities use artificial intelligence, citing potential data privacy and cybersecurity risks, algorithmic errors, and misleading outputs. The petition asks PURA to examine utility AI systems, safeguards, vendors, and data security practices; it does not report a finding of violation or an imposed penalty.
$2.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with RZ Smoke, Inc. over allegations that it distributed and sold high-potency cannabis products without a state license. The stipulated judgment is $2 million, with $375,000 payable to the State and $1.6 million suspended to ensure compliance; the company is barred from specified cannabis activities in Connecticut unless licensed.
$13.7M
Connecticut joined a coalition of states and the federal government in settling allegations that Takeda paid healthcare providers speaker honoraria and provided meals to induce prescriptions of Trintellix, leading to allegedly false claims to government healthcare programs. Takeda agreed to pay $13,670,921 plus accrued interest, with portions allocated to federal and state programs.