News from June 2009
Panel calls for Ark. judge's removal
Willard Proctor Jr. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline)-An embattled Arkansas state judge was recommended Friday for removal from the bench by the state's Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission.
Arizona AG names new chief deputy
Terry Goddard (D) PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard has announced his appointment of a new chief deputy to oversee the office's legal divisions.
Imprisoned federal judge offers resignation
Samuel Kent WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Imprisoned U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent has resigned from the federal bench effective June 30 rather than face an impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate.
DeLaughter rulings not relevant, government argues
DeLaughter OXFORD, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Federal attorneys say they don't care how Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter ruled in a fees dispute involving incarcerated plaintiffs lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, just that he took a bribe.
AGs take aim at FedEx over driver classifications
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Legal Newsline)-A group of eight state attorneys general on Thursday sent a letter to FedEx Ground, questioning whether the company is adhering to state employee classification laws.
U.S. high court sides with seaman in Jones Act case
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -Seamen injured on the job may sue for punitive damages if their employers refuse to pay for medical care and time off, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
Cuomo sits one out in pension probe
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - In his investigation into those who handle public pension funds, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo distanced himself a hedge fund manager that has handled his money.
AG has 'grave concerns' over climate change bill
Jon Bruning (R) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- Legislation pending in the House that would for the first time limit pollution blamed for warming the planet will in the end cost consumers, Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning warned Thursday.
Appeals court blocks Ark. coal-fired plant
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - The Arkansas Court of Appeals has overturned a regulatory decision to approve a proposed coal-fired power plant in Hempstead County.
McCollum reaches settlement with Verizon over "free" ringtones
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has reached a multimillion dollar settlement with a wireless company over third-party charges on consumer's cellular phone bills.
Brown sues over city's general plan
Jerry Brown (D) PLEASANTON, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown is challenging the city of Pleasanton's 13-year-old limit on housing construction, saying the Bay Area community is flouting state housing laws.
King's attorneys go to court in pharmaceutical suit
King MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - The trial in one of Alabama Attorney General Troy King's lawsuits against the pharmaceutical industry began Tuesday amidst the controversy over where any money recovered by a verdict will go.
Civil justice group says 'right decision, wrong author' in court's mandatory retirement age decision
Ed Murnane SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - The Illinois Supreme Court's recent ruling against a mandatory state law barring judges from running for retention after age 75 has drawn criticism from the state's leading civil justice group.
AGs write to encourage EPA
Coakley WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Fourteen states submitted comments with the federal Environmental Protection Agency Wednesday, commending its recently proposed determination that greenhouse gas emissions endanger public health.
McKenna: White House 'doing as much as possible' to help struggling homebuyers
Rob McKenna (R) COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. government should not become complacent in finding new ways to help struggling homebuyers keep their homes, Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna said.
Arizona Supreme Court sidesteps budget battle
Jan Brewer (R) PHOENIX, Ariz. (Legal Newsline)-The Arizona Supreme Court said Tuesday it will not get into the middle of the budget fight between Gov. Jan Brewer and the state Legislature.
Justice Albin one step closer to tenure
Albin TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - After seven years on the New Jersey Supreme Court, Justice Barry Albin received approval for a tenured position Monday.
Tobacco bill thrills Blumenthal
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - One state attorney general is hailing President Obama's recent signing of a tobacco bill as a victory for he and his colleagues.
Radnofsky announces run for Texas AG
Ann Radnofsky (D) HOUSTON, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Democrat Barbara Ann Radnofsky announced Tuesday she is running for Texas attorney general.
TJX to pay almost $10M for security breach
Coakley FRAMINGHAM, Mass. (Legal Newsline) - Forty-one states have settled with TJX Cos. over a security breach at the company they were investigating.