News from July 2008
Wind developer got a break, Starcher writes
Starcher CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) - Wind power developer Beech Ridge Energy caught a break it didn't deserve when the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals approved its plan to build tall turbines on ridges in Greenbrier County, said Justice Larry Starcher.
Abbott warns against post-storm price-gouging
Greg Abbott (R) SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott reminded business and consumers Friday that price-gouging in the wake of Hurricane Dolly is illegal given the governor's emergency declaration.
Massey foe wants U.S. SC to put W. Va. Justice off case
Benjamin WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) - The extent of the influence of Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship's money may soon be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Western Union appeals Arizona's money transfer seizures
PHEONIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-Western Union on Friday asked the Arizona Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision that allows the state to seize money transfers to Mexico.
Michigan wants lead in class action case against AIG
Cox LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox says he is trying to protect more than 600,000 state pensions by becoming the lead plaintiff in a class action case against American International Group.
UBS jeopardized billions in auction rate securities, Cuomo claims
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Thursday charged Swiss banker UBS with multi-billion dollar consumer and securities fraud.
Paint industry's appeal of contingent fee contract will be heard by Calif. SC
California's seven Justices, from left to right: Associate Justice Carlos R. Moreno, Associate Justice Joyce L. Kennard, Associate Justice Kathryn Mickle Werdegar, Chief Justice Ronald M. George, Associate Justice Ming W. Chin, Associate Justice Marvin R. Baxter, and Associate Justice Carol A. Corrigan. SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) - The contingency fee controversy is coming to California's Supreme Court.
Madigan sues 13th mortgage rescue provider
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan on Thursday filed a lawsuit against an Ohio-based company for allegedly engaging in a mortgage rescue fraud scheme.
Expert: Private securities lawsuits hurt economy
Lisa Rickard NEW YORK (Legal Newsline)-Private securities lawsuits pose a significant threat to the U.S. economy, a report issued by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform says.
City attorney jumps into lawsuit action against Countrywide
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline)-Following in the footsteps of California Attorney General Jerry Brown, San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre filed suit against Countrywide Mortgage Co. on Wednesday for allegedly defrauding thousands of the city's homeowners.
Leahy criticizes 'pro-business' Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Democrats on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday took aim at a range to Supreme Court decisions they said put big business' interests ahead of those of ordinary Americans.
Kansas AG hails appeals court tobacco decision
Steve Six (D) TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline)-The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a Kansas state law requiring tobacco companies to pay money into escrow to pay future claims, state Attorney General Steve Six said Wednesday.
Michigan justices rule against firefighters' unions
Michigan Supreme Court building LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday overturned lower court decisions that barred firefighter layoffs in Detroit and Pontiac.
Settlement may come soon in McGraw's fight with federal Medicaid agency
McGraw CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) - An appeals board recently told the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services that it is seeking too much of a controversial $10 million settlement by West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw.
Big boats can't mix water, Ninth Circuit says
Cuomo SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Six Great Lakes states have won a court order prohibiting oceangoing freight ships from discharging ballast water without a permit.
Blumenthal suit alleges homebuilder cut corners
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says a now-out-of-business modular home builder's shoddy work cost consumers a half-million dollars in repairs.
Scruggses split up, all set for prison time
The federal prison in Ashland, Ky. OXFORD, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - The father-and-son tandem that ran one of Mississippi's most prominent plaintiffs firms then admitted to attempting to bribe a state judge will spend their prison sentences 774 miles apart.
Kansas AG shuts-down travel company
Steve Six (D) TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline)-Kansas Attorney General Steve Six on Tuesday shut down an out-of-state travel company for allegedly engaging in deceptive business practices by misleading their customers.
Fen-Phen lawyer wants out of jail
Judge William Bertlesman COVINGTON, Ky. (Legal Newsline)-Embattled plaintiffs' attorney Shirley Cunningham Jr. is asking a federal judge to release him from jail as he waits to be retried on charges he bilked clients out of millions from Kentucky's Fen-Phen settlement.
Railroad to pay $102 million to settle lawsuit over Calif. wildfire
McGregor Scott SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Union Pacific Railroad Co. has agreed to pay a $102 million settlement for a 52,000-acre wildfire in the Plumas and Lassen national forests that was believed to be sparked by its workers.