News from September 2008
Democratic AGs, lobbyists to meet behind closed doors
SAVANNAH, Ga. (Legal Newsline)-When the nation's association of Democratic attorneys general meets here later this week it will largely be under a cloud of secrecy despite the fact that the event is open to non-Democrats and lobbyists.
Coakley wins lead discrimination case
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has obtained another judgment punishing landlords who discriminated against potential tenants because they did not want to remove the presence of lead from their building.
McCollum: Consumers say price-gouging taking place at gas stations
McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is trying to get to the bottom of more than 700 complaints of gasoline price-gouging in the wake of Hurricane Ike.
Foreign oil companies subject to N.J. suit
Milgram TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - More good news arrived Monday in the State of New Jersey's litigation against oil companies they say are damaging the state's natural resources.
Ketchum says his lead is bigger than advertised
Ketchum CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Supreme Court candidate Menis Ketchum says a recent poll that shows him in a close fight with Republican challenger Beth Walker is misleading.
New Mexico AG targets fake Native American jewelry
Gary King (D) SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline)-At least 50 percent of the Indian jewelry on the New Mexico market is misrepresented in some way, an official in the state attorney general's office told Legal Newsline.
Couple can't sue for wrongful death over embryo destruction
Margaret O'Mara Frossard CHICAGO (Legal Newsline)-A couple cannot sue a fertility clinic for wrongful death because it destroyed their embryos, an Illinois court has ruled.
Okla. Supreme Court OK's tax amnesty
Oklahoma Supreme Court justices OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline)--The Oklahoma Supreme Court on Friday declined to block a two-month state tax amnesty program set to begin Monday, which is aimed at generating state revenue.
Republican AGs push for shield law
Rob McKenna (R) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A group of 13 Republican state attorneys general are urging Republican U.S. senators to back legislation that would limit the federal government's ability to force reporters to reveal their confidential sources.
Deal with trial lawyers could raise Oregon's liability cap 650 percent
Ted Kulongoski (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Anyone injured in Oregon as a result of government negligence would be able to sue for 650 percent more than they can currently, under a plan reached between the Oregon Health & Science University and the state's trial lawyers.
Koster gains votes in recount
Chris Koster (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline)-State Sen. Chris Koster won the Democratic nomination for Missouri attorney general by more votes, albeit still a very narrow margin.
Workman with big lead, poll shows
Workman CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A recent poll shows Margaret Workman, a former West Virginia Supreme Court justice, has an easy road to travel to get back to the bench.
McGrath declines to probe governor's comments to trial lawyers
Mike McGrath (D) HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline)-Montana Attorney General Mike McGrath has declined to investigate Gov. Brian Schweitzer over his comments that suggest he influenced the outcome of the 2006 Senate race in favor of fellow Democrat Jon Tester.
Attacks nothing new to Calif. AG
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The game plan remains consistent, but the accusations of political gamesmanship are just beginning if indeed Attorney General Jerry Brown formally announces his intentions to run for a return to the California governor's office he once occupied thirty years ago.
Washington justices say smoking ban extends to private clubs
Mary Fairhurst OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) -The Washington state Supreme Court has ruled that the state's ban on smoking in workplaces extends to private clubs that have employees.
Cuomo: Approach gas contracts with caution
Cuomo ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is using his office to caution consumers against what he feels are strong-arm tactics by oil and gas exploration companies.
Countrywide in more hot water with Blumenthal
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - It has been a busy year for Countrywide Financial Corp. and the state attorneys general watching it.
Multi-state agreement could block payments to teachers
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline)-A group of at least 34 state attorneys general are working toward an agreement that would block payments to teachers by a private non-profit research firm that sells marketing data to colleges.
Attorney general bars online divorce company
Rob McKenna (R) OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline)- The Washington state attorney general's office has blocked an Internet-based company from providing divorce services in the Evergreen State.
Wisconsin AG sues election officials
J.B. Van Hollen (R) MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline)-Wisconsin Attorney General, J.B. Van Hollen is suing the state's Government Accountability Board over claims the board failed to meet the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.