News from July 2009
McCollum launches new foreclosure assistance program
McCollum TALAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, along with the Florida Bar Association, has launched a new statewide program aimed at providing legal assistance to individuals facing home foreclosure.
Edmondson files amicus brief in support of oil industry
Edmondson OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson on Wednesday filed an amicus brief in support of the state's oil and gas producers.
Milgram sues Merrill Lynch
Milgram TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram has filed a lawsuit against Merrill Lynch for allegedly misleading stock information and violating the state's good fair and fair dealing law.
DeLaughter pleading guilty to misleading investigators
DeLaughter OXFORD, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter plans to plead guilty to lying to an FBI agent who was investigating a case over which DeLaughter presided involving disgraced plaintiffs lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.
Chevron declines Brown's offer to mediate dispute
Jerry Brown (D) RICHMOND, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Chevron has refused Brown's offer to mediate talks between the chemical company and environmentalists.
Brown 'cautious' about entering Calif. governor's race
Jerry Brown (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown says he is trying to be "thoughtful" about his possible run for governor
Lobbyist: AAJ looking to quietly pass plaintiff lawyer tax break
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)- Federal legislation that would afford trial lawyers a special tax break faces an uncertain future, says one of the chief lobbyists for the nation's trial lawyers.
NFL, others move for injunction against Del. sports betting
Markell WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The NFL and four other major sports organizations are asking a federal judge to impose a "narrow" injunction against Delaware's new sports betting law.
Madigan secures $6M to pay Medicaid bills
Madigan SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has agreed to a more than $6 million settlement with Deerfield-based Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Inc., over allegations the company intentionally raised prices when charging state's Medicaid program.
Cuomo: Stop selling toy guns
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Toy guns are putting the safety and lives of police officers and civilians at risk, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo wrote in a written letter to more than 100 companies.
Corbett settles with coin collection company
Corbett HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced Tuesday that the State has reached a settlement with two Canton Ohio based coin collectors over allegations the companies falsely advertised services.
Madigan warns consumers of "cash for clunkers" scams
Madigan SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Even before the program was formerly introduced, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan was warning residents identity theft could rise as a result of the federal government's new "cash for clunkers" program.
Senate committee approves Sotomayor
Sotomayor WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Senate Judiciary Committee voted Tuesday in support of making federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor the next U.S. Supreme Court justice.
Brown assails federal preemption
Jerry Brown (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)--Federal preemption has allowed Wall Street scofflaws to evade punishment, California Attorney General Jerry Brown said Monday.
Swanson's arbitration suit still making waves
Swanson MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - The world of consumer arbitration continues to change after Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson's lawsuit against the National Arbitration Forum.
McKenna files claim against Rent-A-Center
McKenna SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna on Friday filed a lawsuit against Rent-A-Center for alleged consumer harassment and deceptive debt collection practices.
Coakley reaches agreement with Home Depot
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Home Depot, U.S.A., Inc., will pay nearly $55,000 to resolve allegations the company did not properly calculate vacation benefits for employees.
N.J. SC overturns $72M award because of jury selection process
Hoens TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The New Jersey Supreme Court has overturned a $71.8 million award in the case of an infant who suffered brain damage at St. Barnabas Hospital, and concluded the trial judge should no longer preside over the case.
AGs announce Countrywide disbursement
Van Hollen MADISON, Wisc. (Legal Newsline) - More than 40 state attorneys general across the country will be distributing refunds to thousands of effected homeowners as part of a nationwide settlement with Countrywide Financial Corporation.
Zoeller: Statewide effort under way to stop foreclosures
Zoeller INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - A statewide crackdown on foreclosures headed by Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller is underway in an effort to curb the current housing crisis.