News from August 2009
Democrats face 'complicated' AG races in 2010
Doug Gansler (D-Md.) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The ranks of Democratic state attorneys general could shrink after the 2010 elections, party leaders and political analysts told Legal Newsline.
Madigan reaches settlements with construction firms
Lisa Madigan (D) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has reached a settlement with five Chicago-based construction firms over allegations the companies violated the state's Employee Classification Act.
Colo. AG's investigation leads to refunds
John Suthers (R) DENVER, Colo. (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced Tuesday that examinations into consumer credit compliance has returned more than $1.8 million to taxpayers.
AG Cooper sues cemetery companies
Bob Cooper (D) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper has filed a lawsuit against two Nashville cemetery companies over allegations they failed to deliver goods or provide refunds to customers.
Cox secures $160 million savings for consumers
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has secured $160 million in savings for state residents, as a result of stopping a rate hike request by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan program.
Gansler, chemical manufacturer reach settlement
Doug Gansler (D) BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler announced Tuesday that his office reached a settlement with PPG Industries Inc. over allegations the company polluted Maryland air and water.
Company fights back in federal asbestos suit
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- A company named as a defendant in an asbestos lawsuit is fighting back, alleging the complaint against it should be dismissed because it had no choice other than to follow the U.S. Navy's strict specifications when it manufactured products for a ship.
McGraw issues subpoena to financial group
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw has subpoenaed Ambac Financial Group, Inc., becoming the third state attorney general to investigate the company over possible antitrust violations.
Disaster relief company settles with Mass. AG
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and LVI Environmental Services Inc. have reached an agreement after the company allegedly failed to pay its temporary workers.
Sports leagues appeal decision, seek temporary ban on betting
Markell WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The NFL and four other major sports organization have taken their argument against Delaware's sports-betting law to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Texas SC justice says she won't seek reelection
Harriet O'Neill DALLAS, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O'Neill says she will not to seek re-election once her term expires in 2010.
Milgram settles with local healthcare services firm
Anne Milgram (D) NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram has reached a settlement with V.C. Services L.L.C., over allegations the company violated the state's Consumer Fraud Act.
Nevada AG cautions consumers about property tax fraud
Catherine Cortez Masto (D) CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has told consumers to contact authorities should they receive a letter claiming they are eligible for property tax savings.
Bruning won't seek multistate antitrust action against LexisNexis
Jon Bruning (R) LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline)-Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning will not seek a multistate antitrust case against LexisNexis, his spokeswoman told Legal Newsline.
Alaska AG recommends ways to enhance ethics issues
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline)- Hoping to enhance the integrity of the process, Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan issued an opinion Friday on issues concerning the Executive Branch Ethics Act.
Birkett bows out of Illinois attorney general race
Joseph Birkett (R) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Republican Joseph Birkett has dropped out of the 2010 race for Illinois attorney general, saying it is "virtually impossible" to unseat Lisa Madigan, a Democrat.
Coakley cites painting company over payroll violations
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has issued three citations against a Dorchester painting company intentionally violating state labor laws.
Suthers reaches agreement with brokerage firm
John Suthers (R) DENVER, Colo. (Legal Newsline) - In an effort to continue combating deceptive mortgage advertising, Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said Friday that his office, in conjunction with the Florida AG's office, has reached an agreement to prevent an Englewood-based brokerage firm from engaging in deceptive trade practices.
California court allows for narrowly tailored employee surveillance
Marvin Baxter SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-The California Supreme Court has ruled that a non-profit group did not violate the privacy rights of its employees when it used hidden cameras because the equipment did not record workers.
Calif. AG candidate calls for oil producers tax
Pedro Nava (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A Democratic candidate for California attorney general said Thursday he plans to propose an oil tax aimed at bankrolling state programs to be cut because of a catastrophic fall in state revenues.