News from May 2008
Title lender target of Va. suit
McDonnell RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell says a title lender in his state charged illegal interest rates for more than two years and is seeking relief for its customers in court.
Group blasts Texas Supreme Court for unsigned opinions
Alex Winslow AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-A bevy of opinions issued last year by the Texas Supreme Court were written anonymously, so voters have no way of knowing where particular justices stand on many cases, a watchdog group says.
In heaven there are no laws, Brown muses
Laws are not the answer, California Attorney General Jerry Brown told a crowd in Modesto last week.
Oklahoma governor considers tort reform bill
Gov. Brad Henry OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Legal Newsline)-Legislation that would require an expert opinion confirming professional negligence before a lawsuit could be filed is headed to Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry's desk.
Nebraska AG Bruning visits Iraq
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning this week is visiting Kurdistan, in northern Iraq.
Jury gives $11.5 million to homeowners whose trees were cut down
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida jury has ordered the state to pay $11.5 million as compensation to 58,225 residents of Broward County after the state cut down all the citrus trees in their yards as part of a disease-prevention plan.
Abbott: Horse meat ban doesn't violate Commerce Clause
Greg Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-It is illegal to ship horse meat across Texas, state Attorney General Greg Abbott said in a legal a legal opinion released this week.
Carter takes on book company
Carter INDIANAPOLIS - On behalf of more than 100 unhappy customers, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter is suing book publisher Airleaf, formerly known as Bookman Marketing.
Attorneys settle with Cuomo, will pay back public benefits
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's investigation into attorneys ripping off public funds has produced two settlements.
Oregon justices affirm review of Sabbath-tourney scheduling
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-The Oregon Supreme Court has ruled that state school officials must review whether high school basketball tournament schedules should be adjusted to accommodate a team's religious beliefs.
Blumenthal, state agency team up on driving school
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - An undercover sting has led to a Connecticut tractor trailer training school being temporarily shut down.
Facebook heeds MySpace in removing sex offender profiles
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline)-Facebook has agreed to remove profiles of known sex offenders from its social networking site, according to a settlement announced by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Check 'n Go settles case over its records handling
Greg Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Thursday reached an agreement with one of the Lone State's largest payday lenders over claims the company recklessly disposed of consumers' financial information.
Texas SC: No switching to arbitration on eve of trial
Justice Scott Brister AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - For the first time, the Texas Supreme Court has cancelled an arbitrator's award because the winners carried a lawsuit too far before switching to arbitration.
Jiffy Lube settles oil storage suit with AG Brown
Brown Under threat of litigation, Jiffy Lube Inc. has agreed to step up environmental protection at its 300-plus locations in California.
Asbestos has long filled W. Va. courtrooms
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The poor reputation of West Virginia's court system can be reflected in statistics dealing with asbestos litigation, an economic think tank said Tuesday.
Michigan justices reject health benefits for gay couples
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a state voter-approved ban against gay marriage also prohibits governments and state universities from offering health insurance to the partners of gay workers.
Dann's impeachment findings expected
Marc Dann COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)- The Ohio lawmaker who is reviewing the impeachment processes for possible action against embattled Attorney General Marc Dann says he expects to present findings to legislative leaders Wednesday.
Arkansas AG approves anti-illegal immigrant ballot language
Dustin McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline)- The Arkansas attorney general Wednesday approved ballot language for a proposal that would require state agencies to verify those seeking government programs are legal U.S. residents.
The business of asbestos: Manhattan Institute releases report
NEW YORK - Jim Copland of the Manhattan Institute says his organization certainly doesn't oppose new business concepts. After all, the think tank's mission statement includes fostering new ideas that promote economic growth.