State AG
School Incident in Mount Horeb, Wis. Under Investigation by DOJ
MOUNT HOREB, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is actively looking into the recent incident that took place in the Village of Mount Horeb, Wis. on May 1, 2024.According to the report, a citizen alerted authorities after observing an individual heading towards Mount Horeb Middle School carrying what seemed to be a long gun. Law enforcement officers responded to the scene and encountered the subject matching the description near the middle school. Despite commands to drop the weapon, the subject did not comply and...
Attorneys & Judges
Attorney General Garland recognizes Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
Attorneys & Judges
West Virginia Ambulance Services Business Owner Convicted of Tax Crimes
A federal jury in Beckley, West Virginia, convicted Christopher Jason Smyth for failing to pay taxes withheld from employees' wages at his ambulance service and for obstructing the IRS.According to evidence presented at trial, Smyth operated Stat EMS LLC in Pineville, West Virginia, from 2012 through part of 2017. Smyth caused Stat EMS to be founded in the name of a nominee owner but continued to operate the business in the same manner as before.Smyth was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare, and income taxes from employees' wages and paying them to the...
Attorneys & Judges
Justice Department Strengthens Efforts, Builds Partnerships to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of addressing the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) by stating, “There is still so much more to do in the face of persistently high levels of violence that Tribal communities have endured for generations, and that women and girls, particularly, have endured.”FBI Director Christopher Wray affirmed the FBI's commitment to addressing the violence affecting Tribal communities, stating, “We will continue to prioritize our support of victims and will steadfastly pursue investigations into the...
In the wake of escalating auto insurance rates in Georgia, a small but significant legal reform could signal the beginning of relief for drivers across the state - if the House would take action…
From WV Record
From WV Record
Arizona Estate Law Firm Unveils New Brand, Website
Chandler, Arizona (AZ) attorney Bernard M. Strass is excited to announce fresh branding and a new website for his AZ estate law firm, Desert Rose Estate and Elder Law. The law firm’s new name reflects a full concentration on estate and life planning that enables Strass to provide focused and dedicated legal services for these matters. It also honors Strass’s father, Luke, who owned Desert Draperies and Interiors in Phoenix for many years and Strass’s mother’s family, the Roses.
Coash Court Reporting & Video Announces Acquisition, Rebrand, New Website
The team at Coash Court Reporting & Video is excited to announce the acquisition of the court reporting agency by Cristina and Jerry Coash Jr. The company’s transition kicked off with rebranding and the debut of its new, user-friendly website.
Lawsuits
Minnesota law on hazardous materials on trains challenged by railroad group
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - The State of Minnesota has overstepped its authority by placing extra charges on trains carrying hazardous materials, the Association of American Railroads says in a new lawsuit.
Attorneys & Judges
Judge OKs pact between Labaton, Robbins Geller to lead suit against Boeing
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Sure, a Virginia judge has ruled in approving a partnership between two class action law firms trying to sue Boeing over a drop in its stock value.
Federal Court
Kerrygold butter-maker to face PFAS class action after motion rejected
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit over the alleged presence of chemicals known as PFAS in Kerrygold butter products will get to proceed.
Attorneys & Judges
California: Lawyers get $518K in fees for winning client $70K
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Lawyers who won their client $70,000 in an employment dispute can collect half a million dollars in fees, but no additional interest, a California appeals court ruled
Lawsuits
Lawsuit questions how StubHub estimates estimated fees
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers say they've tested StubHub's method for figuring out "estimated" fees on tickets and discovered the company shows the same discrepancy every time.
Lawsuits
Red Lobster accused of shorting people who buy biscuit mix
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Red Lobster lies when it claims its biscuit mix makes 10 servings, a class action lawsuit alleges.
State Supreme Court
Utah won't take in lawsuit that already lost in New Jersey
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) - A man who claims a defective safety harness caused him to fall 37 feet to the ground can’t sue the distributor in Utah after his case was tossed out for lack of evidence in New Jersey, the Utah Supreme Court ruled.
State Supreme Court
Social worker with PTSD from murder by client can collect Workers' Comp
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - A social worker who claimed crippling post-traumatic stress disorder after hearing about the “horrific” murder committed by one of her clients can continue to collect benefits for PTSD, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled.
Lawsuits
AFL Lawsuit Reveals Federal Efforts to Evade State Bans on Gender Affirming Care for Minors
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Shocking internal emails obtained from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) lawsuit by America First Legal have brought to light concerning discussions on how to leverage federal power to circumvent state legislation banning gender affirming care for children. The revealed documents include interactions with "gender affirming care providers" in states with prohibitions on these medical practices, indicating a concerted effort by the Biden Administration to intervene in state policies.Assistant Secretary for Health, Rachel Levine,...
Minnesota law on hazardous materials on trains challenged by railroad group
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - The State of Minnesota has overstepped its authority by placing extra charges on trains carrying hazardous materials, the Association of American Railroads says in a new lawsuit.
Biden Administration Disbands "Homeland Intelligence Experts Group" Following Lawsuit Victory
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, America First Legal (AFL) achieved victory in its lawsuit on behalf of former Ambassador Ric Grenell against the Biden Administration’s so-called “Homeland Intelligence Experts Group.” Conceding defeat, the Biden Administration has agreed to disband this illegal Group and provide its records to AFL.DHS formed the “Homeland Intelligence Experts Group” in September 2023 to “provide advice and perspectives on intelligence and national security efforts.” However, it was not intended to provide unbiased, expert advice to advance the Department of...
Lawsuit questions how StubHub estimates estimated fees
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers say they've tested StubHub's method for figuring out "estimated" fees on tickets and discovered the company shows the same discrepancy every time.
Colorado groups challenge new climate rules
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - A group representing Colorado apartment building owners is challenging new regulations requiring them to decrease their energy consumption.
America First Legal Issues Warning to Northwestern University Over Alleged Violation of Federal Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, America First Legal (AFL) has issued a legal demand letter to Northwestern University President Michael Schill concerning allegations of violating federal laws in order to appease pro-Hamas protestors on campus.The letter from AFL addresses the recent "Agreement on Deering Meadow" entered into by Northwestern University, which AFL claims violates multiple federal laws, including Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as 8 U.S.C. §§ 1324b.According to AFL, the agreement aims to support Palestinian faculty and students,...
W.Va, Tenn. sue U.S. Dept. of Education over Title IX changes
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is co-leading a six-state group suing the federal Department of Education over what they call its “dangerous overhaul” of Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act.
Binance co-founder: 'I regret my choices that result in me being before the Court'
Changpeng Zhao, commonly known as CZ, the co-founder and former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, expressed regret over his failure to implement sufficient anti-money laundering controls during the early stages of Binance. He is currently facing a criminal charge for this oversight. CZ shared these sentiments in a court document filed on April 23, ahead of his sentencing scheduled for April 30.
Former Binance CEO receives 161 letters of support ahead of April 30 sentencing
A total of 161 individuals submitted letters of support for Changpeng Zhao, the co-founder and former CEO of Binance, in anticipation of his April 30 sentencing for violating the Bank Secrecy Act. These letters were included in an April 23 filing in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
COVID could be occupational disease, as split Nebraska SC rules for nurse
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - The Nebraska Supreme Court overturned the denial of a woman’s claim for workers compensation over a COVID-19 infection early in the pandemic, although dissenters including the court’s chief justice said the opinion misinterpreted the law and may not have any legal effect.
Lawyers miss med-mal deadline but COVID orders keep lawsuit alive
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Tolling orders in the COVID era have saved a medical malpractice lawsuit in Michigan, as a state appeals court has ruled the plaintiff had extra time to file.
Attorney General Garland recognizes Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland has acknowledged Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day by emphasizing the importance of addressing the crisis affecting American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Garland announced intensified efforts aimed at tackling the issues of missing or murdered Indigenous persons (MMIP), human trafficking, and other significant public safety challenges.Garland highlighted the disproportionate impact of the fentanyl crisis on Native Americans, exacerbating levels of violence and addiction within already vulnerable communities....
S.C. lawmakers put citizen-only voting amendment on November ballot
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina voters will decide in November on a constitutional amendment that would allow only American citizens to vote in all state elections.
Nevada 'ghost gun' ban is constitutional, court rules
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - A Nevada statute banning the sale of unfinished gun parts that can be assembled into untraceable “ghost guns” is constitutional, the Nevada Supreme Court ruled, even as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a similar ban at the federal level.
J&J's $6.5B talc settlement comes as plaintiff lawyers fear losing their experts
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - An offshoot of Johnson & Johnson is paying nearly $6.5 billion to settle almost all lawsuits alleging its talcum powder contained asbestos and caused certain cancers - two months before the company could question the findings of highly paid experts who drove tens of thousands of lawsuits.
Louisiana Supreme Court finds $10M in asbestos case too much
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - The Louisiana Supreme Court cut a $10.5 million jury verdict in an asbestos lawsuit in half, saying an analysis of whether a jury abused its discretion must include an examination of awards in similar cases.
$600K verdict affirmed for cancer-sufferer fired while on leave
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A man fired while stricken with cancer should keep his six-figure jury verdict, a New Jersey appeals court has ruled.
Homeservices of America to pay $250M to settle real estate commission antitrust lawsuits
Attorneys could stand to rake in more than $80 million in fees from the new deal, meaning plaintiffs' lawyers could be in line for more than $300 million in fees from multiple settlements worth more than $940 million so far, with potentially more on the way.
Atlanta business owner: Lawsuits are ‘causing auto and commercial rates to explode’
Chris Hellgeth, owner of the Atlanta-based fuel-hauling company Vi-Mac, has called for "tort reform" to prevent lawsuits from "causing auto and commercial rates to explode." Hellgeth made this statement in an April 16 post on X.