News from April 2009
Many waiting for Cretul's call on sunshine bill
Cretul TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The eyes of tort reformers -- and of Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum's staff -- remain on Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul Thursday.
Holder urged to investigate fraud in asbestos litigation
Eric Holder WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Justice Department should investigate evidence suggesting there is widespread fraud by trial lawyers litigating asbestos-related cases, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says.
Madigan targets Craigslist ads
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Craigslist ought to remove the online classified Web site's erotic services section because of illegal activity, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said.
Facebook exec. enters Calif. AG race
Chris Kelly (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Chris Kelly, the chief privacy officer at the online social networking site Facebook, has began his campaign for California attorney general.
Landmark AG sunshine bill gets through Senate, waiting on House
McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - What the business community is calling potentially the strongest sunshine law in any state attorney general's office is awaiting approval by Florida House Speaker Larry Cretul.
Cook blames pirate attack on employer, shipowner
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - The cook on a ship that was recently taken over by Somali pirates has filed a lawsuit against the shipowner and his employer.
Judge announces campaign for La. SC
Clark NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Marcus Clark, a Republican state judge, will run for Louisiana Supreme Court Justice, he formally announced Monday.
U.S. SC hears arguments on who can sue national banks
Cuomo WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court justices heard arguments on Tuesday over the ability of state attorneys general to file discrminatory lending lawsuits against national banks.
N.M. AG King lands in WSJ over Bailey Perrin contract
King SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) - New Mexico Attorney General Gary King is the latest state official to catch flak from the Wall Street Journal over his relationship with Houston-based plaintiffs firm Bailey Perrin Bailey.
Crist, McCollum remain popular in Fla.
McCollum HAMDEN, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Former Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist is doing well as governor, while current Attorney General Bill McCollum may replace Crist again if Crist decides to run for U.S. Senate, a recent poll shows.
King: Feds' actions 'balderdash'
King MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Alabama Attorney General Troy King and his lawyers called recent action by the federal Medicaid agency "balderdash" on Wednesday.
Brown, Newsom square off at Democratic convention
Brown SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Jerry Brown stood alone against the full force of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's campaign for governor in 2010 during this weekend's state Democratic convention. Political analysts agreed the veteran politician was more than up to the task.
Olens entering Ga. AG race
Olens ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - With Thurbert Baker leaving office to run for governor, Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens is attempting to replace him in the Attorney General's Office.
San Francisco City Attorney gets key Democratic endorsement for AG race
Kamala Harris (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg wasted no time in picking his choice for California's next attorney general.
S.C. justices will wait before deciding stimulus funds issue
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - The South Carolina Supreme Court won't hear a challenge to Gov. Mark Sanford's decision not to accept $700 million in federal stimulus funds.
Web site motions to make Hood settlement with State Farm public
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - The publisher of a Mississippi political Web site wants court records in State Farm Insurance Cos.' lawsuit against state Attorney General Jim Hood's unsealed.
California sues Wells Fargo over alleged investor fraud
Jerry Brown (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a massive $1.5 billion suit against San Francisco-based banking giant Wells Fargo on Thursday.
GOP calls for outside counsel reform in wake of Rendell controversy
Reichley HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Three of Pennsylvania's Republican lawmakers are using the recent attention Gov. Ed Rendell has received over a controversial legal contract to again push for more transparency in their government.
Cox urges GM, Chrysler to file bankruptcy in Michigan
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)- If necessary, General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC should file for bankruptcy protection in Michigan, state Attorney General Mike Cox said Wednesday.
Utah's attorney general warns casinos, alcohol companies
Mark Shurtleff (R) SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Legal Newsline)-Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff has issued a stern warning to alcohol marketers and Nevada casinos.