News from April 2009
Legal options available to get Merrill Lynch bonuses back, investment firm says
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - An investment firm is demanding Bank of America sees to the return of any recent bonus of $1 million or more given out by Merrill Lynch, which was purchased by BOA earlier this year.
Calif. AG says no YTB settlement, yet
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Contrary to an e-mail sent to its sales force, the California Attorney General's Office said it has not reached an agreement with YourTravelBiz.com.
Disbarred Fen-Phen lawyers ordered to return $30 million
Judge Danny Reeves FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline)-Disgraced plaintiffs' attorneys Shirley Cunningham Jr. and William Gallion must forfeit $30 million they bilked from clients in Kentucky's $200 million Fen-Phen settlement, a jury said Tuesday.
Connecticut investigates bailout money to credit companies
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - The big three credit rating agencies helped create the current economic meltdown by overrating risky securities, Connecticut's attorney general said.
AG again warns charities over bingo machines, yet again
Jerry Brown (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)--Following a legal ruling in March, the California Attorney General's office has issued new warnings to charitable bingo parlors using casino-style electronic bingo games.
Arizona's governor, attorney general clash
Terry Goddard (D) PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)- Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer has put the state's Democratic attorney general on notice: Don't overstep your legal boundaries.
U.S. Supreme Court to hear attorneys' fee dispute
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court says it will hear a case involving a dispute over $10.5 million awarded to plaintiffs' attorneys who litigated a class action over foster care deficiencies.
Connecticut AG calls for penalties over AT&T's service
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - AT&T's inability to meet state quality of service standards in Connecticut should lead to meaningful financial penalties, the state's attorney general said in a formal brief filed with the Department of Public Utility Control.
Nevada justices hear challenge to smoking ban
Nevada Supreme Court building CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-The Nevada Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of the state's smoking ban, which critics charge is overly broad and targets bars and taverns but not casinos in the Silver State.
Hood, Entergy disagree over executive bonuses
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - In addition to celebrating a Friday decision by the Louisiana Supreme Court, Entergy Corp. defended its executive compensation system Monday after Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood criticized it in a press release.
Oregon AG poised to gain enforcement power over debt collectors
Ted Kulongoski (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-On Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski's desk is a proposal that would give the state attorney general more authority to sue unscrupulous collection agencies.
Ohio Congressman gets involved in Merrill Lynch bonus issue
Kucinich WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich wants to know if Bank of America was in violation of a 1934 law by intentionally withholding the information regarding bonus payments made by a company it planned to purchase.
Business, trial bar at odds over pending Texas asbestos bills
Robert Duncan (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)--A battle between trial lawyers and business leaders is heating up in Austin over two pending bills in the Texas Legislature that could affect who could be named as a defendant in a malignant mesothelioma case.
Texas AG targets travel business, seeks restitution for 5,000 consumers
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-The Texas attorney general is seeking restitution for about 5,000 consumers he says were duped by two Florida-based travel agencies into buying worthless travel-related software.
Gansler reaches settlement with Beltsville home builder
Doug Gansler (D) BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) -- Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler has reached a settlement with a home builder that provides restitution to consumers whose homes were not built.
Officials announce national crackdown on home foreclosure scams
Lisa Madigan (D-Ill.) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the Obama administration announced Monday a crackdown on scams disguised as mortgage relief programs.
Cuomo files criminal charges against fraudulent investor in Madoff case
Andrew Cuomo (D) NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo filed charges Monday against an associate of Bernard Madoff for his role in steering $2.4 billion in investor assets in the infamous Ponzi scheme.
Murnane tapped to chair American Tort Reform Association
Ed Murnane WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Ed Murnane of Illinois, a nationally recognized figure in the U.S. legal reform movement, has been tapped to help lead the American Tort Reform Association.
University mulls appealing Ward Churchill verdict
Ward Churchill BOULDER, Colo. (Legal Newsline)-The controversial University of Colorado professor who likened victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to a Nazi leader has been awarded just $1 in damages for wrongful termination.
Calif. AG's staff could see pay frozen
Anthony Portantino (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Lawyers in Attorney General Jerry Brown's office could have their pay frozen if one Southern California lawmaker has his way.