News from April 2009
Oregon AG seeks to add environmental crimes unit
John Kroger (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General John Kroger on Wednesday urged state lawmakers to authorize the creation of an Environmental Crimes Unit in his office.
Ohio AG Cordray replaces consumer protection chief
Richard Cordray (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Ohio's attorney general said he has replaced the head of his office's Consumer Protection Section.
State's high court says widow of Jehovah's Witness entitled to death benefits
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Legal Newsline)-The state must pay benefits to the widow of a Jehovah's Witness even though her late husband refused "reasonable and necessary" medical treatment, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled.
Brown to offer historic tour during Democratic convention this weekend
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - As one of the last people to actually live in California's historic Governor's Mansion, state Attorney General Jerry Brown is uniquely qualified to host a tour this weekend as Democrats gather in the state Capitol for their party's state convention.
Republican announces run for Ohio AG
Dave Yost (R) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)- Republican Dave Yost announced this week that he would seek the GOP nomination for state attorney general in 2010.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Fen-Phen lawyer's appeal
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court said this week it is not interested in hearing an appeal from a Mississippi trial lawyer convicted of bilking a drug company out of millions of dollars in Fen-Phen claims.
With Shriver out, Republicans target Top-Gun candidate to run for attorney general
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- With growing intensity over the past few weeks rumors of California First Lady Maria Shriver's brother Bobby running for attorney general in 2010 swirled like a dust bowl around the Republican Party.
Tuna lawsuit could open Pandora's Box of new litigation, observer says
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-By allowing a New Jersey woman to sue a company over the mercury poisoning she allegedly suffered from eating the company's canned albacore tuna, the U.S. Supreme Court may have opened a can of legal worms, one observer said.
Blumenthal: Ratepayers have been 'swindled' by power companies
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline)-Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says he is investigating possible antitrust violations by a group of power producers and the region's grid operator.
Coleman begins Supreme Court appeal process
Norm Coleman (R) ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline)-Republican Norm Coleman on Monday filed court papers indicating that he is appealing his election loss to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Iowa Legislature OKs consumer fraud bill
Tom Miller (D) DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline)-Iowa lawmakers approved sweeping legislation Monday that allows consumer fraud victims to sue companies to recover damages.
AG Swanson decries reopening investigation into her office
Lori Swanson (D) ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline)-Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson on Monday criticized the reopening of a legislative investigation into her office.
U.S. high court allows tuna-mercury lawsuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- A New Jersey woman can sue a tuna fish producer over the mercury poisoning she allegedly suffered from eating the company's canned albacore tuna, the U.S. Supreme Court said Monday.
Veteran Calif. pollster likes Brown's chances for governor in 2010
Jerry Brown (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-For more times than could be counted by anything other than Google, Californians have read or heard the phrase, "in the latest Field Poll" and quickly moved on to the results.
Wahlstrom decries structured settlement kickbacks
Mark Wahlstrom SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-Trial attorneys are pressuring the structured settlement industry to pay kickbacks in exchange for clients, an industry expert said Sunday.
Obama to target credit card companies
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-U.S. President Barack Obama plans to target credit card companies he says are taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers by charging high interest rates, a senior adviser said Sunday.
High court to hear firefighters' reverse discrimination lawsuit
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court will consider this week whether a city can use race as a hiring or promotional standard for its employees.
Palin to appoint third Alaska Supreme Court justice
Sarah Palin (R) JUNEAU, Alaska (Legal Newsline)-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will have an opportunity to appoint a third justice to the state Supreme Court.
Analyst: Former insurance company lawyer's appointment 'no big deal'
Ron Calderon (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A former insurance industry insider's appointment to a serve a powerful California Senate committee is "really not a big deal" despite a consumer group's vociferous objections, a leading political observer told Legal Newsline.
EPA announcement sets stage for California emissions standards
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency earned the praise of California Attorney General Jerry Brown, a fierce critic of the agency under former President George W. Bush.