News from February 2008
Blogosphere becomes authority, issue in Scruggs case
Scruggs JACKSON, Miss. - In many ways, the saga of indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs was made for the Internet, not the time-consuming production of a novel or movie.
Thornton's right to speak had been denied in federal court
Judge Perry ST. LOUIS - Ten days before Charles Thornton killed five people and lost his own life at Kirkwood city hall, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry denied his right to speak there.
McGraw still fighting lawmakers over painkiller money
McGraw CHARLESTON, W. Va. - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw continued to bicker with members of the Legislature Tuesday as he defended his controversial $10 million OxyContin settlement.
'Insider' Wigand compensated generously as unpaid tobacco fact witness
Jeff Wigand...Russell Crowe played his role in the movie, "The Insider." WHEELING, W. Va. - In a Disney film, "The Insider," scientist Jeff Wigand and lawyer Dickie Scruggs save America from evil cigarette makers.
New Kan. AG threatens lawsuit over Neb. river use
Stephen Six TOPEKA -- Incoming Kansas Attorney General Stephen Six has apparently put the state's ongoing water dispute with neighboring Nebraska near the top of his to-do list.
Cuomo's United health-care suit could start NY flood
Andrew Cuomo ALBANY -- The nation's health insurers are bracing for a possible legal blitz after New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo yesterday sued industry leader UnitedHealth Group.
Scruggs hearing next week
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - The defense team of indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs will get a chance to argue its case Wednesday before a federal judge.
Plaintiffs say campaign support should disqualify Benjamin from appeal
Benjamin CHARLESTON, W. Va. - West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin should not participate in a $240 million case involving his largest campaign contributor, the companies hoping to preserve the verdict feel.
Mercedes' 'Tele Aid' system obsolete in new year, class action claims
SACRAMENTO - Mercedes-Benz is accused of selling new vehicles equipped with safety devices it knew would be obsolete as of the first of the year, according to a class action compliant filed Feb. 1 in federal court.
Bausch & Lomb could pay more than $1 billion in 'MoistureLoc' settlements
CHICAGO - A products liability suit filed against Bausch & Lomb in the Circuit Court of Cook County was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by the defendants on Jan. 14.
Organic fertilizer contaminated with salmonella, suit claims
SAN FRANCISCO - Oceano Packing Company is suing True Organic Products and Western Farm Service for selling fertilizer contaminated by salmonella.
Scruggs makes push for dismissal
Scruggs OXFORD, Miss. - The defense team of indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs made full use of its last chance to make demands Monday.
Links to Okla. AG land lawyers contingency prize: Big Chicken
Mike Turpen (L) OKLAHOMA CITY -- Scoring a contingency fee contract from Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson to take on the poultry industry's biggest names in a pollution lawsuit takes connections.
Mercury rule strikedown cheers Madigan, 16 other AGs
Lisa Madigan SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan hailed yesterday's federal court ruling tightening mercury-emission rules on coal-fired power stations.
AG Hood wants change in campaign finance laws
Hood JACKSON, Miss. - Despite recent popular opinion, Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says no elected official in his state is more concerned with the state of campaign finance laws.
Judge in Scruggs case facing inquiry
DeLaughter JACKSON, Miss. - A watchdog group will examine the actions of a state judge in the center of one of trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs' many controversies.
Maynard distances himself from another Massey case
Maynard CHARLESTON, W. Va. - West Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Spike Maynard has recused himself from a case involving Massey Energy, the third time he has done so since photographs surfaced of he and the company's CEO together in Monaco.
Prosecutors call Scruggs' motion "harassment"
Scruggs BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - In response to indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs calling their motivations for bringing criminal charges against him into question, three federal prosecutors say Scruggs needs to give it a rest.
TV ad targets W.Va. AG
McGraw CHARLESTON - A television ad targeting Attorney General Darrell McGraw has both sides talking.
State Farm's case against Hood over
Hood HATTIESBURG, Miss. - State Farm Insurance Cos.' lawsuit against Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has come to an end with a confidential settlement.