Penalty Amount
$1,000,000
Connecticut Attorney General settled with Frontier Communications over deceptive marketing, hidden fees, and poor service. The $60 million settlement requires Frontier to invest $42.5 million in fiber upgrades for 40,000 households in distressed areas, end a $6.99 monthly surcharge, pay $1 million to the state, and provide $200,000 in consumer refunds. Frontier must also improve customer service, billing disclosures, and service quality guarantees over six years.
Frontier must pay $1 million to Connecticut, provide $200,000 in refunds to affected consumers, invest $42.5 million to upgrade internet infrastructure in economically distressed communities, eliminate the hidden $6.99 monthly surcharge, and implement comprehensive reforms including new billing and advertising disclosures, speed guarantees, and improved cancellation and equipment return processes. The agreement is enforceable for six years with penalties for non-compliance.
In-house legal teams should review all customer-facing service agreements for internet/telecom services, including residential service contracts, terms of service, and billing schedules. Focus on clauses governing fees and surcharges (to eliminate ambiguous or hidden charges), marketing and sales representations (to ensure accuracy and prevent deception), service quality and performance guarantees (to establish measurable standards), billing and disclosure provisions (for transparency), and cancellation/termination terms (to prevent improper charges post-cancellation). Revisions should include clear, itemized billing, removal of undisclosed fees, explicit service level commitments, and robust customer service protocols.
Entity
Frontier Communications
Also known as: Frontier
Industry
TelecommunicationsOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2022-press-releases/attorney-general-tong-announces-settlement-with-frontier-communications
frontier stipulation judgment 83122.pdf?rev=16f5b7212b6e4d1d
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2022/frontier-stipulation-judgment_83122.pdf?rev=16f5b7212b6e4d1daceb2a51465a5bac&hash=B7F49C334B2AFEB394204580AFAE2076
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of states and local governments in filing suit against NHTSA over its rule weakening fuel economy standards for new passenger cars and light trucks. The lawsuit alleges the rule violates the agency’s statutory mandate and the Administrative Procedure Act; no penalty or final remedy is reported.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a multistate coalition suing the EPA over its repeal of greenhouse gas pollution limits for power plants and separately filed a notice of intent to sue over regulation of existing gas plants. The coalition asks the court to overturn the repeal and restore the protections; the release reports no monetary penalty or final order.
$400.0M
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement with Sandoz Inc. and Fougera Pharmaceuticals Inc. resolving allegations that the generic drug manufacturers conspired to inflate prices, limit competition, and restrain trade. The settlement includes consumer restitution and injunctive reforms; court approval was being sought.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in submitting a comment letter opposing a DHS rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred to removal proceedings without an asylum officer interview. The coalition argues the rule violates federal law and harms asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children; this was a policy opposition letter, not a privacy enforcement action.
Connecticut and Massachusetts co-led a coalition protest urging FERC to reject the proposed NextEra Energy-Dominion Energy merger. The coalition argued that the merger could increase market power and threaten energy affordability, reliability, and competition; the release does not report a final enforcement decision or penalty.
Connecticut officials warned residents about potential home improvement scams before an approaching nor’easter, including unlicensed contractors, high-pressure sales tactics, and demands for full payment upfront. The release provides consumer guidance on checking contractors and contract requirements; it does not announce an enforcement action or penalty against a named entity.