News from August 2008
Hood says hands are tied again, withdraws from suit against Gov. Barbour
Barbour JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Much like his decision not to file state charges against the attorneys who pleaded guilty to a pair of judicial bribery schemes, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is claiming a conflict of interest prevents him from defending Gov. Haley Barbour in a Medicaid lawsuit.
San Diego City Attorney seeks foreclosure moratorium
Mike Aguirre SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre will ask the City Council in an upcoming meeting to declare a "foreclosure crisis," which he believes will help stop the city's rapid rise of foreclosures.
Another busy day for Cuomo
Cuomo WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says he has forced a home fuel oil distribution company to stop automatically renewing the contracts of its customers.
Debt wiped away for hundreds in W.Va.
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Almost 500 West Virginians will have their debts cancelled as a result of a handful of settlements between Attorney General Darrell McGraw and debt-purchasing companies.
Citibank objects to AG's comments over account skimming
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Concluding a three-year investigation into Citibank, Attorney General Jerry Brown announced a settlement today for more than $18 million.
Union pickets allowed in Calif. shopping malls
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.-The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned restrictions on picketing imposed by a shopping mall management company in a ruling issued Monday that aligns with a recent state Supreme Court decision.
DEVELOPING: Citibank settles with Calif. AG for $18 million
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Attorney General Jerry Brown on Tuesday announced a settlement with Citibank, ending a three-year investigation into the company's credit sweeping program.
Petrochemicals agree to settle with Texas AG for $6.5 million
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)- The operator of seven petrochemical plants in Houston and along the Texas Gulf Coast have reached a settlement with the state attorney general's office.
Donnelly requests recount in Missouri AG primary
Margaret Donnelly (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-State Rep. Margaret Donnelly, who narrowly lost the Democratic primary in the Missouri attorney general race, is officially requesting a recount, she said Tuesday.
Oil refineries going unchecked by EPA, group of AGs claims
Cuomo WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) - Twelve states led by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo are suing the federal Environmental Protection Agency for failing to control emissions from oil refineries.
Taylor's place in hotly contested Mich. race official
Taylor NOVI, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - To no one's surprise -- but to the state Democratic Party's dismay -- Justice Clifford Taylor was nominated Saturday at the Michigan Republican Party's convention to run for re-election this November.
Shell Oil signs agreement with AGs
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - A multi-state agreement with Shell Oil Products announced Monday is designed to curb cigarette sales to minors.
Blumenthal wants more meter info
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Even after a year, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal remains confident that an energy provider is operating with malfunctioning meters.
Illinois AG Madigan to speak at DNC opening
Lisa Madigan (D) DENVER (Legal Newsline)-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan will speak here Monday at the kick off of the Democratic National Convention.
Indiana AG the latest to sue Countrywide Financial
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter on Sunday became the latest attorney general to sue Countrywide Financial Corp. over its lending practices.
Caffeine: The next Big Bad Wolf?
Timothy Sandefur CHICAGO (Legal Newsline)-Timothy Sandefur has a theory. When California Lawyer magazine asked him what product or industry would face the next major tort lawsuit, he replied with two words: Big Caffeine.
ASARCO agrees to pay $200 million for toxic clean-up
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline)-ASARCO LLC has agreed to pay $200 million to clean up toxic contamination from its operations in three Washington counties.
Biden donates Scruggs' contributions to charity
Joe Biden (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- Democratic vice presidential hopeful Joe Biden has donated to charity contributions he received from disgraced trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs and his two children, according to a federal campaign finance filing.
Judge sets hearing for challenge to McCain's candidacy
John McCain (R) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-A federal judge has ordered expedited briefing in a case that contends that John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, cannot become president because he was not born on U.S. soil.
Nebraska court rules in hostile work environment case
Michael McCormack LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-The Nebraska Supreme Court on Friday outlined the criteria for lawsuits against harsh work environments and hostile job conditions.