News from February 2009
Cuomo intervenes for consumers in bankruptcy case
Cuomo ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is intervening in the bankruptcy proceedings of Utica-based retailer Affordable Furniture.
Lynch: Use federal funds wisely
Lynch PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch is warning lawmakers not to spend the coming federal stimulus funds like they have with monies from a landmark tobacco settlement.
Chubb reaches settlement with AG Coakley
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Chubb Corp. has settled claims that it offered improper incentives to a brokerage firm in exchange for business steered toward it.
Upper court ruling could mean slow burn for Texas 'rocket docket'
U.S. District Judge T. John Ward It took a car headrest - that familiar object that is often overlooked until it is needed by a stiff-necked driver - to profoundly change an East Texas court.
Oregon city sues PepsiCo over breach of contract
ALBANY, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-An Oregon city has decided to sue a PepsiCo subsidiary for more than $100 million over the company's decision not to build a plant there.
Ohio sexual harassment settlement finalized
Dann COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - The Ohio Controlling Board on Monday approved a nearly $500,000 settlement for two women who filed sexual harassment claims against the state's Attorney General's Office.
Force ex-Merrill Lynch CEO to talk, Cuomo asks
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo wants a state judge to force former Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain to disclose the specifics of the company's executive bonuses given last year.
Mercury emissions decision pleases Milgram
Milgram TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to hear the appeal of a group of utilities upset with mercury emissions regulations pleased New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram.
Oregon Senate votes to increase public liability caps
Floyd Prozanski (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-The Oregon state Senate on Monday handily approved legislation that could allow plaintiffs to sue state and local governments for more money than currently allowed under the state's public liability cap.
Calif. courts to get funds for repairs
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California courthouses across the state will get a $5 billion face lift, part of several dozens of bills signed at the same time the state's historic budget impasse ended with the signature of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday.
Michigan Chamber hails AG's opinion on coal plants
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has drawn praise from the state's largest business group over his opinion that the governor overstepped her authority when she ordered state officials to change the way they permit new coal-fired power plants.
Obama's housing plan draws praise from AG
Terry Goddard (D) PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-U.S. President Barack Obama's recently announced mortgage foreclosure prevention plan has drawn praise from Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard.
Koster appoints judge to new workers' rights post
Chris Koster (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)- St. Louis County Judge Barbara Crancer has been appointed to lead the Missouri attorney general's newly created Workers' Rights Division.
Washington AG sues allegedly profane collection agency
Rob McKenna (R) OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline)-Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna is suing a collection agency his office claims insulted and harassed consumers.
Mich. AG calls governor's energy policy illegal
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm overstepped her authority when she ordered state officials to change the way they permit new coal-fired power plants, the state attorney general said.
Political payback: Calif. governor slashes budgets of constitutional officers
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- After a year and a half of political wrangling, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger finally got his budget. He signed the revised budget with a mixture of spending cuts and tax increases that will shore up the state's $42 billion deficit.
Third party won't argue before U.S. SC in Caperton case
King WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The State of Alabama may not participate in the oral arguments of a key judicial recusal case scheduled to be heard in March by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Calif. video game law ruled unconstitutional
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Friday a California law restricting the sale and rental of violent video games to minors is too restrictive and violates free speech.
McCollum investigation gaining steam
McCollum TALLAHASSE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General has received another $1 million to fund his investigation into the mobile phone content marketing industry via a settlement with a pair of California companies.
AG hails cancellation of National Beef takeover
Lori Swanson (D) MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline)-A Brazilian company has jettisoned its plans to acquire of one of the largest meat-packing companies in the United States, drawing praise from at least one state attorney general who opposed the deal.