News from December 2008
Judge sides with AG; Grants injunction for Colorado Humane Society
John Suthers (R) DENVER (Legal Newsline)-Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced Tuesday that his office has secured a court order that will give a receiver control of the embattled Colorado Humane Society.
AG McDonnell proposes several election reforms in Virginia
Bob McDonnell (R) RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell has announced a number of election reforms he is including in his legislative package during the upcoming session of the General
Assembly.
Airborne settles with 32 AGs over deceptive marketing claims
(Legal Newsline)--The maker of Airborne has agreed to pay $7 million to settle allegations by 32 state attorneys general that it made false claims about the benefits of its cold prevention, sore throat and allergy remedies.
BREAKING: Langston sentenced in judicial bribery scheme
Langston OXFORD, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Former Booneville, Miss., attorney Joey Langston has been sentenced to serve three years in federal prison for attempting to bribe Hinds County Judge Bobby DeLaughter in an attorneys fees dispute involving disgraced plaintiffs attorney Richard "Dickie Scruggs.
High court clears the way for Hanford claims
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the lawsuit against E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. and General Electric Co. over radiation exposure claims by residents near the Hanford nuclear reservation in eastern Washington State.
Restraining order filed against Mass. mortgage company
Martha Coakley (D) SALEM, Mass. (Legal Newsline) -- A temporary restraining order has been obtained by the Massachusetts attorney general against a mortgage broker who represented himself as an attorney and bankruptcy expert who could save homes from foreclosure.
ATRF cautiously optimistic about troubled Madison County
Callis WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Illinois' Madison County may have moved off the American Tort Reform Foundation's annual list of judicial hellholes, but it -- and the surrounding area -- are still being watched.
W.Va. again the nation's biggest judicial hellhole, tort reform group says
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - For the second time in three years, West Virginia has been singled out as the nation's most unfair legal environment by the American Tort Reform Foundation.
Ohio AG settles deceptive marketing suit
Nancy Rogers (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) -- Ohio Attorney General Nancy Rogers has reached a settlement agreement with a local restaurant and a marketing firm after it was alleged the two companies engaged in deceptive advertising.
Ariz. AG: State can require property paving without compensation
Terry Goddard (D) PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline) -It's legal for Arizona to require paving of some parking lots and driveways without compensation to the property owner, state Attorney General Terry Goddard said in a legal opinion.
Mattel settles lead toy claims with 39 state attorneys general
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline)-A $12 million multistate settlement between 39 attorneys general and Mattel Inc. and Fisher-Price, Inc., its subsidiary, over lead-tainted toys was announced Monday.
U.S. Supreme Court OKs lawsuits over light cigarettes
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Smokers can sue over deceptive marketing of so-called light cigarettes, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday.
Auto bailout bill dies in Senate
Brown WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The proposed $14 billion federal bailout of the automotive industry closely watched by a group of state attorneys general has been voted down by the U.S. Senate.
Judge rules in favor of plaintiffs firm in contingency fee dispute
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Plaintiffs firm Bailey Perrin Bailey of Houston won't be disqualified from a lawsuit it brought on behalf of Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a state judge recently decided.
Oregon AG-elect's appointments draw attention
John Kroger (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon's attorney general-elect is poised to join the list of the nation's activist attorneys general, political observers told Legal Newsline.
Illinois AG asks Supreme Court to oust governor
Lisa Madigan (D) CHICAGO (Legal Newsline)- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Friday made the unprecedented move of petitioning the state Supreme Court to remove embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office, saying he is unfit to serve.
Asbestos rise in Madison County could signal return to 'old school' tactics
Stack It's a fairly typical day for Madison County Judge Daniel Stack as he scans his docket while talking on the phone prior to heading into court. He tries to schedule an appointment, but readily admits it might be tough with Christmas events looming and another asbestos case in need of a jury.
Poll: U.S. Chamber among trusted and influential groups
Thomas Donohue WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a leading tort reform proponent, is among the most trusted and powerful interest groups in Washington, a poll indicates.
Cuomo keeping possible Senate interest close to chest
Cuomo ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is not showing any intention to take over future Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Senate seat.
R.I. chief justice stepping down
Williams PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Frank Williams, Rhode Island's Supreme Court chief justice since 2001, is retiring from his post at the end of the year.