News from November 2008
California wades through budget malaise, again
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- Yogi Berra isn't the spokesman for the state of California, but about the only way to describe the ongoing budget battles is the classic Yogism, "It's deja vu all over again."
CALA still on McGraw's case
Cohen CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - It looks like the feud between West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw and a legal reform group is going to last four more years.
Blumenthal happy with tobacco money's destination
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - The Connecticut General Assembly has appropriated nearly $7 million from funds received through the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to anti-smoking programs.
Study: Costs of U.S. tort system increases to $252 billion
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The souring U.S. economy is likely to bring a flurry of lawsuit filings, a report says.
W.Va. court official denies claims of fired worker
Canterbury CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- The state court Administrator has fired back about accusations made in the press by a recently fired Supreme Court employee.
Arizona justices recommend initiative process overhaul
Andrew Hurwitz PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-Arizona needs to overhaul the way ballot measures are handled, the state Supreme Court said in ruling this week.
Abbott targets human trafficking, pushes for tougher laws
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-The state's human trafficking laws need to be strengthened so people are not deprived of their basic human rights, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said.
Obama moves foreclosure crisis center stage
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Beleaguered homeowners received a powerful boost when President-elect Barack Obama said confronting the housing crisis will be one of his first orders of business upon taking office in January.
Illinois justices consider constitutionality of medical malpractice caps
Illinois Supreme Court SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - If the Illinois Supreme Court decides to strike down limits on medical malpractice awards it could mean fewer doctors practicing in the state, sources told Legal Newsline Tuesday.
Massey case about Starcher's e-mails dismissed
Starcher CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Massey Energy's case against the administrative director of the state Supreme Court regarding access to outgoing Justice Larry Starcher's e-mails has been dismissed.
Felon lawyers must make case in Miss. court
Pickering NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The argument over $14 million in attorneys fees from a $100 million state settlement will be settled in a Mississippi court, and state Auditor Stacey Pickering thinks the decision may come quickly.
California activist touts foreclosure relief in D.C.
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A California-based advocacy group that helped start the grassroots foreclosure freeze movement has taken its appeal to help homeowners to Capitol Hill this week.
Sentencing date set for Scruggs' former lawyer
Langston OXFORD, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - More than 11 months later to pleading guilty a judicial bribery scheme involving disgraced former plaintiffs lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, fellow attorney Joey Langston was given his sentencing date.
Debt elimination scheme nets Florida couple $240,000 fine
Bill McCollum (R) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) A fraudulent debt elimination scheme in Florida that allegedly victimized more than 2,000 consumers has lead to a $240,000 settlement agreement between the state and two individuals.
Coakley obtains injunction against process server
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) -- Massachusetts Attorney General
Martha Coakley has obtained a preliminary injunction against process
server Stokes & Levin, Inc. for allegedly falsifying the service of
legal papers.
VP-elect Biden's son won't take Senate seat
Beau Biden DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden apparently will not take over for his father, Vice President-elect Joe Biden, in the Senate.
AG: Workers' Comp. agency surplus illegally high
Wayne Stenehjem BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) -North Dakota's workers' compensation entity kept its surplus illegally high, state Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem said.
Fired W.Va. SC worker says he is suspected of leaking Maynard photos
Maynard CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A former West Virginia Supreme Court employee says the reason he was fired last week is because he is suspected of leaking photographs that might have cost Chief Justice Spike Maynard re-election and that he accused the court administrator of making racial comments in the office.
Cox blasts insurer's proposal to boost rates, reduce oversight
Mike Cox (R) DETROIT, Mich. - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is trying to raise health insurance rates for the self-insured, Attorney General Mike Cox said Tuesday.
Foreclosure relief effort loses ally in Aguirre
Mike Aguirre (D) SAN DIEGO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-San Diego City Attorney Mike Aguirre will look for new ways to protect homeowners facing foreclosure despite losing a bitter re-election campaign on Nov. 4, he told Legal Newsline.