Kentucky Attorney General Calls for Action Against Organized Retail Crime

Serious and destructive criminal activity

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 25, 2025) – Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman urged the U.S. Congress to take action to combat the rise in organized retail crime in Kentucky and across the country. General Coleman joined a bipartisan group of 38 AGs to highlight the growing issue, which has led to more than $121 billion in financial losses. More than three-quarters of retail asset protection managers reported their employees suffered violence at the hands of organized retail criminals.

According to the Kentucky Retail Federation, retailers in Kentucky lost $990 million in revenue to theft in 2022. They lost another estimated $1.075 billion as a result of return fraud. Organized retail crime is more than petty shoplifting – it consists of serious and destructive criminal activity that is often coordinated by sophisticated foreign and domestic crime networks.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders, state attorneys general are calling on Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (H.R. 895/ S. 140) and the Organized Retail Crime Center Authorization Act (S. 139). The bills would provide the necessary resources at the state and federal level to bring the organizations and individuals behind this nationwide problem to justice. The coalition is also calling for increased federal penalties for supply chain thefts to act as a strong deterrent against the organized theft of goods in transit.

“Policymakers, retailers and law enforcement must come together to combat this serious threat,” said Attorney General Coleman. “By providing new tools to law enforcement, we can take on these criminals and deter organized retail crime. I’m proud to join my colleagues from both sides of the aisle and all corners of the country to protect Kentucky families, workers and entrepreneurs.” 

Last year, General Coleman convened a group of Kentucky retailers, law enforcement and prosecutors for a discussion on the reality of retail crime. During their conversation, the Kentucky leaders highlighted the serious threats shoppers, retailers and employees face and also identified the resources needed to combat retail crime.

“Organized retail crime is a rapidly growing problem that seriously threatens the economic security and physical safety of consumers, retailers and their employees across Kentucky and nationwide. The Kentucky Retail Federation appreciates our close partnership with Attorney General Coleman, who is working to bring together lawmakers, law enforcement and retailers to address this critical issue,” said Tod Griffin, Kentucky Retail Federation (KRF) President.

“From large corporate retailers to small Main Street businesses, Kentuckians across the state are feeling the impact of increasingly sophisticated and violent organized retail crime. It is critical that Congress take action to equip our dedicated law enforcement officers and prosecutors with the tools they need to combat this growing threat. We appreciate Attorney General Coleman for his strong advocacy on our behalf,” said Travis Farmer, KRF Board Chair and Target District Senior Director overseeing 12 stores in Kentucky.

General Coleman joined the Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and South Carolina-led letter, along with attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington and West Virginia.

Read the letter.