News from October 2008
Squibb increases protection for possible identity theft victims
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - After a data breach in Brazil, pharmaceutical company Bristol Myers Squibb has agreed to provide additional identity theft protections for approximately 6,500 Connecticut residents.
Oregon justices hear school funding case
Peter Buckley (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) -The Oregon state Supreme Court today hears argument in a closely watched case over school funding.
McGraw tabbed W.Va.'s biggest lawsuit abuser
Cohen CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw has been named by a legal reform group as the state's top lawsuit abuser in 2008.
W.Va. not overwhelmed by Countrywide settlement
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Mortgage lender Countrywide has reached an $8.68 billion settlement with 11 states. West Virginia is not one of them.
Corbett reaches $270,000 settlement with fraudulent charity
Tom Corbett (R) HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has reached a $270,000 settlement that will reimburse more than 2,100 Pennsylvania consumers who purchased a charity raffle ticket.
Governor says Calif. AG mostly likely to succeed him in 2010
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's prediction of who will succeed him when his term expires may further infuriate the conservative members of the Legislature who recently considered whether to support efforts to recall the Governator.
Shell signs agreement with 47 AGs to curb underage smoking
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Shell Oil Products US has signed a multi-state agreement aimed at curbing cigarette sales to minors at more than 13,000 of its independent retail outlets, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Wednesday.
D.C. high court rejects $18 million award
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)--A medical malpractice provider suing the Columbia Hospital for Women Medical Center, Inc. for breach of their insurance contract had their claim rejected and an $18 million award for tortious interference claim levied against them.
Lawyer knew problems with ARS market before its fall, Cuomo says
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - One of the heads of Swiss bank UBS reached a $6.5 million settlement with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo Tuesday over allegations that he used insider trading to his advantage.
Ethics charge over rape ad filed against Wis. justice
Gableman MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Freshly elected Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman was hit with an ethics complaint Tuesday by the state Judicial Commission.
Cordray says restoring confidence in AG's office a priority
Richard Cordray (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Democrat Richard Cordray, the frontrunner in Ohio's attorney general's race, said Tuesday that if elected he will work to restore confidence in the office beset by controversy.
Opening briefs filed in Calif. contingency fee case
Morris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A state Court of Appeals decision allowing contingency fee counsel to be hired by public officials is inconsistent with a past California Supreme Court decision, according to attorneys for a paint company.
AGs hail Countrywide settlement as model for future
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-An $8.68 billion dollar settlement between 11 states and Bank of America, parent company of Countrywide Financial Corp., was hailed by the attorneys general that negotiated the deal as a model for the rest of the country as it seeks solutions to the housing crisis that has crippled the U.S. economy.
Libertarian candidate protests exclusion from debates
W. Andrew McCullough (L) SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline)-The Libertarian candidate in Utah's attorney general's race said Tuesday he is being unfairly excluded from a pair of debates organized by arms of the University of Utah.
W.Va. eyeing lawsuit in wake of economic downturn
Manchin CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is investigating the possibility of taking legal action against major national investment firms whose failures resulted in a multi-million dollar loss to the state's portfolio.
Lilly settles with 32 states over its Zyprexa marketing
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Eli Lilly and Co. has agreed to pay $62 million to resolve claims with 32 states that it improperly marketed and promoted its top-selling schizophrenia drug.
Singer: Consumer protection laws shouldn't be preempted
Linda Singer WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-If the U.S. Supreme Court rules that state consumer protection laws cannot be used to sue cigarette makers it would mark a blow to Americans, a leading expert told Legal Newsline.
Gas station settles price gouging claims, agrees to refunds
Bill McCollum (R) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) -- A Florida gas station accused of price gouging after Hurricane Ike has agreed to reimburse anyone with a receipt who was overcharged for gasoline, under a settlement with the state attorney general.
Washington AG challenger hits McKenna with ad
John Ladenburg (D) OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline)-The Democratic attorney general candidate in Washington has begun airing his first campaign ad this week.
Cochran lawyers challenge Texas legal advertising rules
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-The Cochran Firm, one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the United States, is challenging the Texas State Bar's restrictions on legal advertising.