News from December 2008
King: Medicaid suits working for Ala.
King MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - While he fights the Federal Government over the fruits of his State's pharmaceutical litigation, Alabama Attorney General Troy King reminded citizens that he recently reached $28 million in settlements with drug companies.
AG staff may avoid executive order pay cuts
Brown SACRAMENTO, Calif., (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown's office is uncertain if it will be subject to an executive order issued by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger calling for twice-monthly mandatory and unpaid furloughs for state workers starting in February.
Brown sues Bush administration over Endangered Species Act
Brown SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed suit in federal court on Monday to block the Bush administration's latest attempts to weaken the Endangered Species Act.
40 billion reasons why asbestos litigation will grow
Anapol Forty billion dollars of designated funds currently available in court-established trust funds is providing abundant incentive to already rich attorneys with asbestos-settling know-how.
U.S. Supreme Court asked to hear Texas exorcism case
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to hear the case of a former Texas woman who claims she was abused during a forced exorcism in 1996.
Dann rebuffs investigator's report
Marc Dann (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Disgraced former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann says a recent report about his time as the state's chief legal officer is unfair.
New York judge blocks cigarette tax on Indian reservations
Rose Sconiers New York (Legal Newsline)-A New York state judge has blocked the state's plan to collect sales tax on cigarettes sold by Indian reservation smoke shops to non-tribal members.
Attorneys general urge Supreme Court to hear Arizona appeal
Mike McGrath (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Attorneys general from 13 states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear Arizona's appeal of a decision that overturned a bevy of key election laws.
King: Obama administration could help coal plant foes
Gary King (D) FARMINGTON, N.M. (Legal Newsline)-New Mexico Attorney General Gary King says President-elect Barack Obama's administration likely means that the proposed Desert Rock Power plant will get a fair hearing.
Nevada judges to get $30,000 raise
Incoming Nevada Chief Justice James Hardesty CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-Even amid the state's budget woes, Nevada judges are set to receive a $30,000 annual pay raise.
Tech all a twitter about AG run by Facebook exec
Chris Kelly PALO ALTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A blog for techies has reported that Facebook Chief Privacy Officer Chris Kelly will soon announce his intention to run for California attorney general in 2010.
Judges' perks could fall by the wayside
California Supreme Court justices SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-The California Supreme Court has declined to hear a case involving perks given to superior court judges by county governments.
Calif. AG releases commercial fundraising report
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A study by the California attorney general's office found that 43.6 percent of money raised by 730 registered commercial fundraising companies actually made it to the designated charities.
Immigrants sue Connecticut construction company for unpaid wages
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) -- Thirty-four immigrants have sued a Connecticut construction company in federal court over hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages.
Bristol-Myers settles AGs' claims for $1.1 million
J.B. Van Hollen (R) NEW YORK (Legal Newsline)-Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. has agreed to pay $1.1 million to settle claims it was in violation of a 2003 antitrust agreement involving the anti- anxiety drug BuSpar and anticancer drug Taxol, state attorneys general said Tuesday.
Tort reform urged for California economic recovery
John Sullivan SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A California organization that advocates for fairness in civil courts, has urged Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to include tort reform in efforts to help attract new businesses to the state.
Missouri governor settles with AG over e-mails
Jay Nixon (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt's office has settled a lawsuit that accused the Republican governor's administration of state open records laws.
Jewelry importer settles in Vermont after high levels of lead found
Bill Sorrell (D) MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) -- High amounts of lead in imported jewelry and other metal products from a Canadian consumer gift distributor have resulted in a $215,000 settlement in Vermont.
Ohio AG targets foreclosure rescue business
Nancy Rogers (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) -- A lawsuit has been filed in Ohio to stop a foreclosure rescue business that has victimized consumers throughout the state.
Hood levels charges at Entergy affiliate
Jim Hood (D) JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) -- Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced Tuesday that he has found more evidence of wrongdoing on the part of state power provider Entergy Corporation.