News from May 2008
Cooper: Bible park OK to receive taxpayer money
Robert Cooper Jr. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline)-Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper Jr. said Tuesday that operators of a planned Bible park could use taxpayer money to help bankroll what some call a religious venture.
Bruning vows to prosecute gas cheats
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning has issued a stiff warning to gas station operators who are considering cheating their customers by switching fuels.
Nation's AGs meet to discuss energy issues
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho - The nation's attorneys general will conclude their energy summit Tuesday, capping two days of talks on climate change, gas prices, power plant construction and renewable energy mandates.
Michigan justices give class-action status to homeowners
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that a lawsuit filed by homeowners who say their property was damaged by roots from city-mandated trees may move forward as a class action suit.
Iowa AG says he wont appeal English-only ballot ruling
Tom Miller Des Moines, Iowa (Legal Newsline)-Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said Tuesday his office will not appeal a judge's ruling that outlaws voter registration forms in languages other than English.
Florida Chamber of Commerce sues to block employee gun law
Bill McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The Florida Chamber of Commerce is suing Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum to overturn a new state law that beginning July 1 would allow individuals to bring guns to work.
Open space case goes before California SC today
The California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments today in Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association v. Santa Clara County Open Space Authority, a case that could shape how communities fund open space projects in the state.
Calif. chief justice backs fee increases for courthouse improvements
Ronald George SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Californians could pay higher fees for civil court filings, parking tickets and criminal convictions under a plan backed by Chief Justice Ronald George and legislative leaders.
Capital One sues Brown over access to records
Jerry Brown SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-Capital One Financial Corporation is seeking to keep its records from California Attorney General Jerry Brown, who is investigating whether the bank and credit card company violated state consumer protection laws.
Tenn. Justices pick next Chief
Standing left to right: Justices Gary R. Wade, Janice M. Holder, Cornelia A. Clark, and William C. Koch, Jr.; seated is Chief Justice William Barker NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - The Tennessee Supreme Court's next chief justice will also be the first woman to hold that post.
One-time colleagues will testify against former company head in S.C. suit
Toal COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - South Carolina's Supreme Court on Monday allowed state Attorney General Henry McMaster to use the former leaders of two collapsed companies as witnesses against the man charged with misleading the companies' shareholders.
Judge denies friend-of-the-court briefs in Edmondson's poultry lawsuit
Edmondson TULSA, Okla. (Legal Newsline)-A federal judge Monday denied a request by several groups wanting to file friend-of-the-court briefs in a lawsuit brought by Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson against the poultry industry.
Cuomo: Bootleggers prevent jobs, tax revenue
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Bootleg films might provide a cheaper alternative to a night at the movies, but they result in severe economic damages, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Monday.
Democrats distancing from Dann, threaten action
Dann COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - It's not just Republican leadership asking troubled Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to step down because of an affair with a staff member, and he may now be facing impeachment if he does not.
Judge apologizes for pursuing claim against Calif. billionaire
Thomas Siebel PALO ALTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)--A San Mateo County judge has apologized and agreed to pay $100,000 to Silicon Valley billionaire Thomas Siebel for pursuing a claim she now admits had no legal merit.
Dann admits affair with staffer, refuses to resign
Marc Dann COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann says he has no plans to step down despite a report Friday criticizing his leadership and admitting that he had an extra-marital affair with a subordinate.
$38 million compensation package reached in Minn. bridge collapse
Gov. Tim Pawlenty ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline)- A team of Minnesota lawmakers have reached an agreement on a $38 million compensation package for victims of last year's Minneapolis bridge collapse.
Arkansas AG files suit against payday lenders
Dustin McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline)-Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has filed four lawsuits against payday lenders for violating the state constitution by charging borrowers high interest rates.
Lynch to parents: Beware of Grand Theft Auto
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - One of the most anticipated video games ever made, recently released Grand Theft Auto IV is not for young players, Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch said this week.
Ohio GOP calls for Dann's resignation
Dann COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Republicans on Friday called for Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann to resign the same day he admitted to an extra-marital affair and an internal investigation was released.