News from April 2008
American Cancer Society vows to sue over tobacco tax diversion
Terry Goddard PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard could be in court to defend a state Capitol plan to use designated tobacco tax funds to help balance the state budget.
Study: State courts frequently reject workers' arbitration awards
Prof. Michael LeRoy CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Although federal courts vacate nearly the same percentage of arbitration awards for employers as they do for workers, state courts are disproportionately vacating employment arbitration awards for workers, but not for employers, a new study indicates.
Another may soon join Va. AG race
Brownlee ROANOKE, Va. - The man who led the criminal prosecution of prescription drug maker Purdue Pharma may attempt to become Virginia's next Attorney General.
Cuomo settlement will produce refunds for 22
Cuomo ALBANY, N.Y. - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has reached a settlement with auction companies that were allegedly ripping off those who provided them with merchandise to sell.
Critics question timing of Starcher's calls to Ketchum
Starcher CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Some critics are bothered by the timing of phone calls between West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Larry Starcher and candidate Menis Ketchum, saying the timeline "raise(s) serious questions."
Blumenthal to feds: Be more like N.Y.
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. - The rejection of an offshore natural gas facility by the State of New York means a federal agency needs to reconsider the reasons it approved, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal recently said.
Corbett files criminal charges against miners over fatal blast
Corbett HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - For the first time during his time in office, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has filed criminal charges over a fatal accident at a coal mine.
Wisconsin SC accepts Medtronic defibrillator case
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline)-The Wisconsin Supreme Court has decided to hear a case considering whether state negligence and product liability claims are pre-empted by federal law where a defective product received FDA approval.
Arkansas group refiles immigration proposal
Dustin McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline)-A group backing a proposal in Arkansas that would require state agencies to verify those seeking government programs are legal U.S. residents filed a revised proposal, after the first one was rejected by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.
Ohio AG leads multi-state Supreme Court effort to protect employees
Dann COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) -- In what can be construed as a case of questionable timing, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann led a group of attorneys general from 18 other states and Puerto Rico in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that employers can not retaliate against employees involved in an employer's investigation of sexual harassment.
Convicted former AG announces run for mayor
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Legal Newsline)-Longtime former Arkansas Attorney General Steve Clark, who was convicted in 1990 of misusing a state credit card, is running for mayor of Fayetteville, Ark.
Ray Charles' children seek AG investigation
Ray Charles SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown could be drawn into a dispute between the family of pianist Ray Charles and his longtime manager.
Kennedy praises Oklahoma poultry lawsuit
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline)-A lawsuit filed by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson against large-scale poultry producers drew praise from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an environmental lawyer.
N.D. lawmakers seek AG's opinion on aquatic park
Wayne Stenehjem BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline)-North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has been asked by three state lawmakers to offer a legal opinion on the bidding process to build an aquatic park at Bismarck State College.
Tidal surge issue up for review in Miss. SC
JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi's Supreme Court can have its say in the debate over wind and water damage caused by 2005's Hurricane Katrina.
Attorney investigation widened by Cuomo
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - School organizations across New York have been subpoenaed by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, who is investigating misuse of pension funds paid for by taxpayers.
Arkansas SC affirms $9.8 million damage award to El Dorado Chemical Co.
Arkansas Supreme Court LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline)-The Arkansas Supreme Court has upheld a $9.8 million jury award to El Dorado Chemical Co. for damages the Oklahoma-based company sustained in a fire caused by a faulty piece of equipment.
AG's refusal to take illegal immigrants' case threatens federal funding
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning's failure to prosecute a case on behalf of two illegal immigrants could cost the state federal funding aimed at fighting discrimination.
Bill to save Hawaii Chief Justice Moon founders
Ronald Moon HONOLULU (Legal Newsline)-A proposal in the Hawaii Legislature that would have extended the mandatory retirement age for judges to 80-years-old, allowing Chief state Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon to remain on the bench, has apparently stalled.
Colorado AG supports amending Taxpayer Bill of Rights
John Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline)-Colorado Attorney General John Suthers is throwing his political muscle behind a proposal that would repeal the state's constitutionally mandated school funding requirement.