Bryan Cohen News
N.D. AG alleges consumer fraud violations
Stenehjem BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem announced a cease and desist order on Friday against UST Development Inc. and David Bell for alleged violations of the state's consumer fraud laws.
NDK Crystal to remain closed to probe blast
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Boone County State's Attorney Michelle Courier announced a settlement on Friday with NDK Crystal requiring the company to remain closed until certified as safe for operation.
Editorial: Calif. lawmakers have problem with settlement claims bill
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - In an editorial special to the Sacramento Bee, California State Senators Joel Anderson and Doug LaMalfa said that state taxpayers should not foot the bill for lawsuits filed against the state.
Va. AG worried scams resulting from $25B settlement
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli warned consumers on Thursday to be wary of scam e-mails or phone calls related to a recent multistate foreclosure services settlement.
Ohio AG suing asphalt company
DeWine COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit on Friday against the operators of J and J Asphalt Paving and Sealcoating for allegedly engaging in multiple violations of Ohio's consumer laws.
Mass. AG announces rate agreement with merging utilities
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Wednesday that a settlement with NSTAR and Northeast Utilities will save customers approximately $217 million through a distribution rate freeze and rate credits.
Coakley touts $40M False Claims Act recovery in 2011
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Wednesday that more than $40 million was recovered by Coakley's office using the False Claims Act in Fiscal Year 2011.
N.Y. AG has new plan for nonprofits
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a plan on Thursday that he says would revitalize and reform New York's nonprofit sector by eliminating outdated burdens.
Mo. AG: Wedding vendor kept canceling ceremonies
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a lawsuit on Wednesday against the provider of a wedding venue for allegedly canceling wedding ceremonies without refunding consumers.
Fla. settlement brings $59K in restitution
Bondi TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Tuesday that her office has secured $59,000 in restitution for approximately 430 customers allegedly harmed by a loan modification scam.
Conn. AG worried with utility merger
Jepsen NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen requested on Tuesday that state utility regulators require that the proposed merger between Northeast Utilities and Boston-based NSTAR demonstrate that it is in the public interest.
Okla. AG wants SC action on water rights
Pruitt OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt filed a lawsuit on Friday requesting that the Oklahoma Supreme Court begin stream adjudication to determine the rights for water in three major southeastern Oklahoma streams.
Oregon wants lead plaintiff status in class action
Kroger SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger and Treasurer Ted Wheeler announced on Tuesday that the state is seeking to co-lead a class action lawsuit filed in New York federal court against a Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
Bondi asks lawmakers to ban synthetic drugs
Bondi TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi spoke to legislators on Tuesday, pushing a new bill that would ban a new list of synthetic drugs.
Ind. AG says governor can't be ordered to testify
Zoeller INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller argued on Monday that a trial court judge may not order a sitting governor to give a lawsuit deposition, asserting the constitutional separation of powers.
Synthetic pot recovered from Ill. stores
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Friday that undercover busts last week led to the confiscation of almost 3,000 packages of synthetic marijuana worth more than $58,000 from retail establishments.
Eleven AGs want new rules regarding soot
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a multistate lawsuit on Friday seeking to compel the Environmental Protection Agency to revise air quality standards for pollution involving soot.
Payday lender ruled in contempt of Wis. settlement
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced on Friday that an Internet payday loan company has been found in contempt of a February 2010 settlement agreement.
Madigan recovered more than $1M for workers in 2011
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that her office has collected close to $2.2 million in benefits and wages owed to workers in Illinois in the past two years.
Mass. AG recovered $5M from labor violations
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced last Friday that nearly $5 million in restitution and penalties was recovered for labor and wage violations in the state in 2011.