News from March 2008
New judge in Scruggs' Jackson case
DeLaughter JACKSON, Miss. - With Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter suspended while complaints against him are sorted out, a new judge will preside over an attorneys fees dispute involving admitted felon and famed trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.
Republican state Sen. hopes to take McDonell's job
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli will make a run at replacing state Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who is planning to campaign for Governor.
Wasden bars mortgage rescue business from Idaho
Wasden BOISE -- Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden is the latest state attorney general to bar from his state a Florida company that claimed to be able to rescue struggling homebuyers from foreclosure.
Macpherson-Kroger square off in Oregon AG debate as May 20 primary looms
Macpherson PORTLAND -- The two candidates vying to be Oregon's next attorney general traded barbs Friday in a debate that pitted a three-term state legislator and corporate attorney against a law school professor with a record of putting mobsters and corporate scofflaws behind bars.
Company asks Benjamin to recuse himself again, this time with poll numbers
Benjamin CHARLESTON - A bankrupt coal company and its president again are asking state Supreme Court Justice Brent Benjamin to recuse himself from its case against Massey Energy. And this time, they have commissioned a poll to help make their point.
Wash AG looking at rate increase proposed by Northwest Natural Gas
McKenna OLYMPIA -- The Washington attorney general's office said Friday that it is taking a deep look at a proposal by Northwest Natural Gas to increase rates for its approximately 66,000 residential customers in the southwest part of the state.
Free food is tax free says Nevada Supreme Court
CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court has ruled that food provided for free to casino patrons and some employees is exempt from the state sales and use taxes.
Oregon SC upholds Lottery's authority in paying retailers
SALEM -- The Oregon Supreme Court unanimously ruled Thursday that state agencies have the authority to write administrative rules that put state laws into effect.
AGs unite for probe of XM-Sirius merger
Dann WASHINGTON, D.C. - Eleven state attorneys general are demanding the Federal Communications Commission review the proposed merger between two satellite radio giants.
Deputy AG to make run at Indiana office
Zoeller INDIANAPOLIS - One of Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter's top aides has decided to make a run at his job.
Cox, propane dealer reach agreement
Cox LANSING, Mich. - An agreement reached with a propane company will keep Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox from charging the company with price-gouging.
DeLaughter: Suspension OK
DeLaughter JACKSON, Miss. - The state judge facing complaints that he rigged a case involving high-profile plaintiffs attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs says he won't fight a suspension while his conduct is probed.
McKenna's office sends message to pop-up blocker, via lawsuit
OLYMPIA - The Washington state attorney general's office, known for its aggressive pursuit of Internet spammers, has in its sights an Arizona man they accuse of coercing consumers in the Evergreen State to buy his pop-up blocking software.
Texas couple taken advantage of in bankruptcy case, judge says
Abbott DALLAS - A bankruptcy case in which Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott recently joined resulted in punitive damages from a foreclosure rescue company.
Alaska's settlement with Eli Lilly is a tax on healthcare, says critic
Talis Colberg ANCHORAGE - Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg has reached a $15 million settlement with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co., over claims that the pharmaceutical company systematically downplayed the risks associated with its schizophrenia drug Zyprexa.
Ohioans should be outraged at state GOP, Dann says
Dann COLUMBUS, Ohio - A bogus public records request from the state's Republican Party has cost taxpayers thousands of dollars, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann said Thursday.
Cox: No beer in barbershops
LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has put the beer on ice -- figuratively.
Katrina judge reminded of Scruggs outcome
Scruggs GULFPORT, Miss. - With every twist in the saga of high-profile trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, another turn is made in State Farm Insurance Cos.' attempt to disqualify his former partners from representing Hurricane Katrina victims.
Masto takes on flimflam artists in Silver State road trip
Masto CARSON CITY -- Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto jumped into a minivan Monday to begin a four-day rural road trip to discuss some "hot button issues" in the Silver State, including mortgage fraud and identity theft.
McDonnell won't face Republican challenge from Lt. Gov.
McDonnell RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell apparently has his running mate picked out for his 2009 run at Governor.