News from March 2009
Brown sues to recover millions in Medi-Cal funds
Jerry Brown (D) LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Attorney General Jerry Brown is suing seven private laboratories to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges he believes were illegally collected against the state's medical program for the poor.
Patent 'trolls' upended in East Texas
Sereboff They are called by a name nobody wants to use for its derogatory meaning, yet everyone does use it because it so clearly defines the objective.
DOJ seeks $37M from Union Pacific
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Federal Government was Union Pacific Railroad Co. to pay more than $37 million in penalties for not stopping drug smugglers on trips from Mexico to the United States.
Bank of America loses court battle over billions in bonuses
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A state judge on Wednesday ordered Bank of America to turn over the names of former Merrill Lynch executives who received large bonuses before the sale of their company became final.
Van Hollen to appeal decision allowing judges to be partisan
J.B. Van Hollen (R) MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline)-The Wisconsin attorney general said Wednesday he plans to appeal a court decision that state judges can be active in party politics.
House committee to hold hearing on asbestos handling at Smithsonian
Robert Brady (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A U.S. House committee plans to hold hearings next month on the handling of asbestos at the Smithsonian Institution amid claims that the Smithsonian didn't properly contain asbestos dust from construction.
California AG readies furlough appeal
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - On Friday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger won a court battle over top state government leaders when a Sacramento judge ruled that those employed by constitutional officers are subject to the governor's executive order requiring unpaid furloughs one day each month.
Nevada's HRT lawsuit kicked out of federal court
Catherine Cortez Masto (D) LAS VEGAS, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-A lawsuit filed by the Nevada attorney general's office against a group of pharmaceutical companies has been kicked out of U.S. district court.
La. SC justice retiring
BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Chet Taylor will retire from the Court on May 31, reports have indicated.
Blumenthal wants partnership with New York
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Along with state lawmakers, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has proposed legislation to establish a partnership with the State of New York regarding environmental and energy needs.
Controversy over executive bonuses turned back on feds
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Federal officials are beginning to feel the heat in bonus controversies that surround financial services firms that were bailed out by taxpayers.
AP still going after Maynard's e-mails
Maynard CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Though former West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard lost the election, The Associated Press still is going after eight of his e-mails to Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship.
Oklahoma trial lawyers blast state Legislature
Jon Parsley OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The president of the Oklahoma Bar Association said Tuesday that state lawmakers are waging an assault on the civil justice system.
Calif. AG targets 'get rich' Internet schemes
Jerry Brown (D) VENTURA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Jerry Brown and Ventura County District Attorney Gregory Totten have reached a settlement with two Internet companies that "falsely promised" to help customers "get rich."
Scholar: Wyeth decision could have far-reaching side effects
John Calfee WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A U.S. Supreme Court decision this month affirming the right to sue in state court over complications from federally-approved medications could have far-reaching effects on Americans, a scholar says.
Hawaii Supreme Court docks Superferry
HONOLULU, Hawaii (Legal Newsline)-A state law that allowed the Hawaii Superferry to operate while an environmental impact statement was being conducted has been declared unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court.
Ohio AG to participate in online chat Thursday
Richard Cordray (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray plans to participate in an online chat as a part of a national effort this week to highlight the importance of openness in government.
Corbett files paperwork to make run for governor
Corbett HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has apparently entered the 2010 race for governor.
Town council to vote on $14,000 check for former AG
Steve Carter (R) FISHERS, Ind. (Legal Newsline)-The Fishers Town Council is set to decide tonight whether they want to pay a former Indiana attorney general $14,000 to lead discussions on whether the town should become a city.
Cuomo, Obama tag team AIG
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Three days after a hearing regarding executive bonuses given out by Merrill Lynch, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has turned some of his attention toward American International Group.