News from August 2008
Florida justices to weigh tax-trading proposal
Florida Supreme Court building TALLAHASEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline)-The Florida Supreme Court will hear a challenge to a proposed ballot measure that would trade a significant property tax cut for increases in other taxes.
Indiana could pay state workers $8.5 million to settle class action
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Legal Newsline)-A tentative agreement has been reached to settle a class action lawsuit brought against the state by some if its employees who said they worked more hours than others for the same pay.
Three in mix for Tenn. SC job
Seated is Chief Justice William M. Barker and standing, left to right, are Justices Gary R. Wade, Janice M. Holder, Cornelia A. Clark, and William C. Koch, Jr. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee's Judicial Selection Commission has passed three names on to Gov. Phil Bredesen, who will pick the state's newest Supreme Court justice out of them.
Business attempting to control W. Va. courts, attorney claims
Manchin CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - In criticizing West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin's relationship with industrial giant DuPont, a prominent plaintiffs attorney has added something of a doomsday warning.
Coakley's prevailing wage investigation prevails
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has secured an $85,000 settlement with a landscaping contractor over violations of state wage laws.
McCollum happy with joint mortgage fraud investigation
McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Six Floridians have pleaded guilty to charges that they defrauded financial institutions out of more than $17 million with their mortgage fraud scheme.
DuPont paying up in Rhode Island lead paint case
Lynch PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Industrial giant DuPont did not join its paint-making brethren in fighting Rhode Island's landmark lead lawsuit, and is now funding a cleanup program instead of basking in victory.
Pay equity plaintiff to address Democratic National Convention
Lilly Ledbetter DENVER, Colo. (Legal Newsline)-The woman who lost a pay equity case before the U.S. Supreme Court this year will address the Democratic National Convention here next week.
Brown on possible gubernatorial run: 'Stay tuned'
Jerry Brown (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Jerry Brown has two words for those waiting for him to decide if he will run to replace Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2010: "Stay tuned."
Swanson sues 10th mortgage rescue company
Lori Swanson (D) ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline)-Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson sued two more home foreclosure consultants Monday, alleging that the companies defrauded homeowners.
Frequent litigant announces run for mayor
Ashland Springs Hotel ASHLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-The mysterious man in this picturesque Southern Oregon town who has become synonymous with suing a City Hall he says is fraught with corruption has announced he will run to be its next mayor.
Brown calls California a model of energy efficiency; Calls for R&D tax breaks
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)--California Attorney General Jerry Brown told Legal Newsline he believes America needs an efficiency expert.
Official slams Goddard's proposed Honeywell settlement
Gary Pierce (R) PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-A $6 million settlement Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard announced this week with Honeywell might be illegal, state Corporation Commissioner Gary Pierce said.
New Mexico AG urges Congress to remedy land-grant claims
Gary King (D) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Legal Newsline)-New Mexico Attorney General Gary King says he wants the state's congressional delegation to "consider all appropriate alternatives" to address the historical treatment of land grants in the Land of Enchantment.
Taxol settlement funds put books in Oregon libraries
Hardy Myers (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers says beginning this week local libraries will be receiving books and CDs on cancer care that were bought with residual funds from a multi-state antitrust settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb.
John McCain sued by singer Jackson Browne
John McCain (R) LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline)-Singer and songwriter Jackson Browne has filed a lawsuit against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain and the Republican National Committee for using his 1977 hit song "Running on Empty," in a television ad.
AG sues Civil War cannon business
Jay Nixon (D) JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (Legal Newsline)-A legal barrage has hit a Warsaw, Mo.-based Civil War cannon business.
Skyrocketing medical costs blamed for proposed workers' comp. increase
Steve Poizner (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-An increase in medical costs in California could begin to cost businesses in the Golden State in the way of increased workers' compensation premiums.
Brown: Countrywide talks 'ongoing and intensive'
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown confirmed Friday that he is in ongoing negotiations with Bank of America, the parent company of Countrywide Financial Corp., over the mortgage company's alleged misconduct in its lending practices.
Cuomo keeps momentum in ARS probe
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Wachovia has joined the group of auction rate securities sellers that has returned billions of dollars to investors as a result of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's investigation.