News from July 2008
CNG must give overearnings back to customers, Blumenthal says
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Wednesday formally asked the state's utility board to take more than $15 million in profit that Connecticut Natural Gas has made.
Poll: State supreme court justices should be elected
Dan Pero LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-American voters say state supreme court justices should be elected rather than be appointed by governors or commissions, a poll indicates.
Wisconsin justices reject priest abuse lawsuit
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline)- Five men who were abused by a Catholic school teacher cannot sue the Roman Catholic Church, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled.
California settles with Squibb for $23 million
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-As prescription powerhouse Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. announced more than half a billion dollars in settlements, California attorney general's office said the $23 million it received was among the bigger payoffs in a sweeping probe of prescription drug pricing.
Utility asks Supreme Court to OK coal-fired power plants
TOPEKA, Kansas (Legal Newsline)-- Sunflower Electric Power Corp. and partners are asking the Kansas Supreme Court to overturn state regulators' rejection of two proposed coal-fired power plants.
Lawyer-rating site loses Supreme Court battle
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that an Internet site that allows clients to rate their lawyer's performance is not entitled to a list of attorneys in the state.
Exxon fights interest payments to Exxon Valdez plaintiffs
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Exxon Mobil Corp. says it should not have to pay interest on the $507.5 million judgment the U.S. Supreme Court ordered it to pay for the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Louisiana AG faces recall petition
James "Buddy" Caldwell (D) NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline)-A recall petition was filed Tuesday against Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell, the secretary of state's office said.
Calif. justices to review $82 million verdict against Ford
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-The California Supreme Court has agreed to review an $82.6 million verdict awarded after a 2002 rollover accident left a woman paralyzed.
Lawsuit challenges Mass. ban on some wine shipments
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California winemakers will take its opposition of laws blocking some wineries from shipping directly to Massachusetts consumers to U.S. District Court later this month.
Ethics complaint filed against Missouri AG candidate
Chris Koster (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-The state Ethics Commission was asked Tuesday to investigate allegations that Missouri attorney general candidate Chris Koster has violated campaign finance laws.
Squibb settles with states for $403 million
New York (Legal Newsline)- Pharmaceutical giant Bristol-Myers Squibb has agreed to pay state Medicaid programs a combined total of $403 million to settle lawsuits against the company and its former wholly owned subsidiary Apothecon, Inc.
Woman sues Texaco over non-winning lottery tickets
DENVER - A Colorado Springs, Colo. woman who bought scratch ticket that had no chance of winning the top prize is suing the owner of the gas station where she bought the tickets in 1998.
W. Va. challenger on board with ATRA code
Greear CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) - Dan Greear, a Republican candidate for West Virginia Attorney General, agreed Tuesday to abide by a transparency code crafted by the American Tort Reform Association if he is elected.
Legal heavyweights seek to protect Calif. judges
Ron Robie SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -A cast of legislative and legal heavyweights at a public forum Monday said they were determined to protect California from increasing political pressure on judges.
Goddard enjoys support of small businesses
Terry Goddard (D) PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline) - Small business owners in Arizona, who lean Republican, say they want Democratic state Attorney General Terry Goddard to be the next governor, a leading pollster told Legal Newsline.
Cuomo: Celebrate, but still investigate, alternative energy sources
Cuomo ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York's top lawyer has swept into the world of wind farms, demanding information on the business practices of two companies that own renewable energy-producing turbines across the state.
Medical Review Panel credited with reducing lawsuits
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Legal Newsline)-The Medical Review Panel that was created in Wyoming to root out frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits has reduced the number of claims filed through 2007, an official told Legal Newsline.
AG calls for higher mileage reimbursement rate
Gary King (D) SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline)-Citing skyrocketing gas prices, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King said Tuesday the mileage reimbursement rate for state employees should be increased.
Money on the minds of Va. AG candidates
Cuccinelli CENTREVILLE, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Republican candidates for Virginia's Attorney General post are saying that their campaigns are on the right financial track.