News from December 2008
Morgan Stanley gas company being investigated
McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is investigating possible price-gouging on the part of Morgan Stanley and one its subsidiaries.
No bonus for Merrill Lynch CEO
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Merrill Lynch will not pay its CEO a $10 million bonus, much to the delight of New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
Madigan: Governor Blagojevich should resign
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Tuesday called on fellow Democrat embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign, saying it is clear he cannot effectively govern the state.
Wal-Mart settles wage class action for $52 million
MINNEAPOLIS - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Tuesday it will pay more than $52 million to settle a class action lawsuit that alleged the mega-retailer cut its workers' break times and failed to prevent employees from working off the clock.
Cuomo says $10 mil too much for Merrill Lynch CEO
Cuomo ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is upset with reports that say Merrill Lynch is considering giving $10 million in bonuses to top executives.
Chamber begins frivolous lawsuit awareness campaign
Rickard WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A campaign by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform says frivolous lawsuits are harming small businesses and the families that rely on them.
W.Va. natural gas case settled for $380 mil
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - One of West Virginia's three large 2007 verdicts has been settled before the U.S. Supreme Court could decide if it wanted to review it.
Gansler issues cease-and-desist order to agricultural salesman
Douglas Gansler (D) BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) -- Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler has issued a cease-and-desist order to a man accused of failing to complete the renovation of several poultry houses across the state.
Supreme Court declines to hear Obama citizenship challenge
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to hear a lawsuit challenging President-elect Barack Obama's qualifications to be president.
Madigan investigates factory's sudden closure
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is investigating the sudden closure of Republic Windows and Doors, Inc., the Democrat's office said Monday.
Calif. AG wants emissions standards tied to bailout
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown jumped into the automaker bailout debate in Washington on Monday when he fired off a letter to top Democrats urging tough emission standards get tied to any Congressional funding for American automakers.
N.J. travel agency to pay for stranding customers
Anne Milgram (D) NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) -- Edison, N.J.-based USA Haj Mission Corp. has reached a settlement agreement with Attorney General Anne Milgram after failing to make airline bookings for its customers who were traveling to Mecca.
Blumenthal again will fight rate increase requests
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal continued to oppose rate increases proposed by utility companies Thursday.
Business group wrong, N.J. AG's office says
Szuchman TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram's office responded Friday to accusations that Milgram grandstanded last June at the expense of several gas stations' reputations.
Republican eyes Calif. AG office in 2010
Tom Harman (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)--Republican state Sen. Tom Harman has joined a circle of candidates dancing the "dosey doe" around the California Attorney General's office, becoming yet another politician to express interest, but not formally committing to running, in 2010.
Texas SC justice fined $29,000 over ethics violation
Nathan Hecht (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht has been ordered to pay a $29,000 fine for accepting an illegal campaign contribution and failing to report the gift.
California settles with Mattel Inc.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown and Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo agreed to a $1.8 million settlement with nine toy manufacturers, including Mattel Inc.and its subsidiary Fisher Price.
Milgram took gas station violations out of context, group says
Risalvato SPRINGFIELD, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Anne Milgram was grandstanding when she alleged misconduct on the part of hundreds of gasoline retailers, a group dedicated to protecting those businesses claims.
Crist wants minority on judicial recommendation list
Crist TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, the state's former attorney general, has rejected a list of candidates to fill a spot on the bench of a state appellate court.
Rite Aid agrees to settlement over expired products
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- A national retail pharmacy chain has reached a settlement with the state of New York that will end the sale of expired products in its stores across the state.