News from July 2009
Nevada court orders second trial in gambler case
Nevada Supreme Court building CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-The Nevada Supreme Court this week ordered a new civil trial for professional gambler James Grosjean, citing attorney misconduct.
Brown gets $1.2 million verdict against flim-flam artists
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Attorney General Jerry Brown has won a $1.2 million ruling against rip-off artists Gaston Muhammad and Ronna Green of Duluth, Ga., for deceptive business practices.
Utah Supreme Courts rules on redistricting commission
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) ' The Utah Supreme Court says $1 million is what is required to establish an independent redistricting commission.
GOP's petty cash complaint a petty attack on Lynch, campaign staffer says
Lynch WARWICK, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - The Rhode Island Republican Party is alleging state Attorney General Patrick Lynch violated campaign laws by misusing money from his petty cash collection.
Donahue named chair of NAAG task force
Tom Corbett HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - James Donahue, III, head of the Pennsylvania attorney general's antitrust section, was named on Friday as the new chair of the National Association of Attorneys General Multistate Antitrust Task Force.
Mims settles with gas company
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline)- Virginia Attorney General Bill Mims has reached a settlement with Lynchburg-based Timberlake Citgo over allegations the company violated the Virginia Post-Disaster Anti-Price Gouging Act.
California courts to close one day a month amid budget crisis
Mary Wiss SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-In an effort to do its part to lessen California's $24 billion deficit, the 21-member state Judicial Council has voted unanimously to close California courts every third Wednesday of each month from September through July.
Cuomo denounces Wall Street's compensation program
Andrew Cuomo (D) NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo released a comprehensive report Thursday that analyzed 2008 bonuses for the nine banks that received Trouble Asset Relief Program financing from the U.S. government.
Quadriplegic allowed to take Calif. bar exam
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)- A law school graduate who was blocked from taking the state bar exam over a technicality took her case to the state Supreme Court and won.
Utah Supreme Court rules in securities case
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline)-The Utah Supreme Court on Friday upheld a district court's ruling in a 2005 securities case.
Personal injury attorney to lead trial lawyers' group
Anthony Tarricone SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-The nation's largest trial lawyer trade group is now led by personal injury attorney Anthony Tarricone of Hamilton, Mass., his law firm announced Thursday.
DeLaughter pleads, feds recommend 18-month sentence
DeLaughter ABERDEEN, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Former Hinds County Circuit Court Judge Bobby DeLaughter pleaded guilty Thursday to misleading FBI investigators in a judicial bribery case involving disgraced plaintiffs attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs.
Coakley settles Medicaid suit
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has reached a settlement with Boston Clinical Laboratories, Inc., over allegations the company violated the state's Medicaid False Claims Act.
Mims sues unemployment agencies
Mims RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Bill Mims has filed a lawsuit against three local unemployment agencies over allegations the companies violated the state's Consumer Protection Act.
Federal legislation benefiting AGs and plaintiffs lawyers, WLF paper says
Schwartz WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The nation's plaintiffs lawyers are making sure federal legislation gives more authority to the state attorneys general with whom they can team, a recent paper from the Washington Legal Foundation says.
Trial lawyers call disgraced attorney a 'political prisoner'
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-- The nation's trial lawyers are calling for the release of one of their own whom they say was railroaded by the Bush administration at the behest of big business interests.
Brown rakes in cash for pet causes
Jerry Brown (D) SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-Are they veiled political contributions to get a foot in the door with California Attorney General Jerry Brown or are they genuine charitable givings?
Brown urged to investigate insurance companies
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown is being urged by activist groups to investigate discrimination by health insurance companies.
Trial lawyers face tort reform 'danger zone' in health care overhaul, says lobbyist
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)- President Barack Obama's push for an overhaul of the nation's health care system could be stymied by Senate lawmakers, particularly moderate Democrats, the lobbyist for trial lawyers said.
Terms of W.Va.'s apparent settlement with Eli Lilly not yet known
McGraw NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw and Eli Lilly & Co. have apparently reached a settlement, though the terms won't be known unless they are unsealed.