News from July 2012
Eleventh Circuit affirms ruling in favor of bank holding company
Tjoflat ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court ruled in a private securities fraud class action this week that the evidence was "insufficient" to support a finding of loss causation, an essential element of such a lawsuit.
OSHA cites La. company for safety and wage violations
BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - C.J.'s Seafood in Breaux Bridge, La., has been cited with 11 serious safety violations for exposing workers to blocked exit, fire, electrical and chemical hazards by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Energy company to pay $62K penalty over self-reported violations
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday that Talisman Energy will pay a $62,457 penalty to settle allegations of hazardous chemical reporting violations at 52 hydraulic fracturing facilities throughout Pennsylvania.
Eight settle La. AG's drug-pricing charges for $38 million
Caldwell BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - Eight drug makers have settled fraud charges brought by Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell for a combined $38 million.
EPA says no fracking pollution to water in Pa. town
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday the completion of its testing of Dimock, Pa., private drinking water wells.
Mo. AG warns of new scam
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster warned Missouri consumers on Wednesday that scam artists are contacting state residents by telephone and mail, falsely claiming that they have won cash prizes.
Mass. AG, Internet cafes reach agreement
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $750,000 agreement on Wednesday with two Internet cafes that allegedly facilitated illegal gambling by using sweepstakes software.
Schneiderman, crematory reach emissions agreement
Schneiderman BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced an agreement on Wednesday with the operator of a Tonawanda-based funeral home crematory to stop odor, particles, smoke and other emissions.
Ninth Circuit reverses ruling in favor of Disney in ADA suit
Kozinski SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court ruled last week that a Disney theme park is wrong in refusing to allow a woman to use a Segway while visiting "The Happiest Place on Earth."
Miss. SC remands case against sand supplier for man's silicosis
Dickinson JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - The Mississippi Supreme Court last week reversed a jury award of $7.6 million in favor of a man who sued a sand supplier over his lung disease.
Election lawsuit triggers W.Va. SC candidate's critics
Chafin CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Actions and comments by West Virginia Supreme Court candidate Tish Chafin's campaign are drawing the attention of critics.
N.J. AG announces actions against 44 contractors
Chiesa NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced the issuance of notices of violation against 44 contractors on Monday seeking a total of $195,000 in civil penalties.
Hacker sentenced to seven years
Breuer WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Estonia native Aleksandr Suvorov was sentenced July 18 to seven years in prison for his role in two separate hacking schemes involving a total of more than 240,000 stolen credit card numbers.
Former La. official pleads guilty to racketeering
BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Attorney Donald J. Cazayoux, Jr., announced July 16 that a former Louisiana deputy insurance commissioner has pleaded guilty to racketeering.
SEC accuses stock promoter of $2.4M scalping scheme
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday filed a civil fraud action against stock promoter Jerry Williams and two companies that he controlled -- Monk's Den and First In Awareness.
Used car dealer settles with Iowa AG
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced a settlement on Monday with a used car dealership that allegedly charged illegal fees.
Ill. AG announces court order over drinking water
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan obtained a court order on Friday to make sure that residents in Sauk Village have immediate access to drinking water that is safe.
Del. SC sides with employer in asbestos suit
Ridgely DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The Delaware Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the family of an employee who sued a company over the man's alleged asbestos exposure.
DOJ restrains U.S. assets of former Nigerian governor
Breuer WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Department of Justice announced Monday that it secured a restraining order against more than $3 million in corruption proceeds and assets owned by James Onanefe Ibori, Nigeria's former Delta State governor.
Alaska SC: Amended tobacco statute provides due process
Winfree ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) - The Alaska Supreme Court ruled last week that a lower court was correct in upholding a decision to fine a tobacco seller and temporarily suspend its state endorsements for illegal sales to minors.