"Targeting small businesses that were unlikely to have the resources to fight patent-litigation, or even to pay patent counsel".
When has that ever mattered in any legal proceeding anymore than ignorance of the law being used to counter some legal process?
Common sense for honest folk suggests you go after people with money when you have a legitimate claim -- in other words, go after the large businesses whose violation of your rights will look embarrassing under the bright lights of a courtroom. The alleged troll is choosing the opposite strategy.
Next, I'm not defending their actions (trolls that is) however there is no supporting evidence in the complaint (that would come out at trial of course) as to what constitutes a "small business" which is interpreted in various ways.
"That choice of prioritization of targets"
We don't know that other than what the AG has said. There is no list of all the targets so we don't know whether 100% of them are two person businesses (for example) or not.
One of the claims that the attorney general makes is that the defendants "can't pay for patent counsel" in other words can't pay (I'm assuming) to even ask a question of an attorney (a simple consult).
Of course we all know what is going on here (looks and quacks like a duck) I guess it just bothers me a bit that the attorney general appears to be using language to gain points with voters by appearing to be fighting for the little guy. Because that gains sympathy and political capital. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the trolls also targeted businesses (that while "small") had employees and could easily afford to pay for legal advice (add: even if just randomly, by accident or intentionally "shit at the fan").
The larger point is that the trolls are clearly trying to find companies that are unlikely to fight back, even if they sometimes miss. Yes, that kind of behavior does not mean their must be fraud, but it's an indicator.
Alternatively he could have been made aware of the problem by reports from lots of little guys and decided to act, since that is his job.
Either way the court will decide.