News from October 2009
Fla. trial lawyer group suspends three staffers over racially tinged mailer
Scott Carruthers JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Legal Newsline)-Florida's state trial lawyer group Friday suspended three staff members over a political mailer sent before a special election to fill the seat vacated by state Sen. Jim King's death.
Drug companies have their day in Ala. SC, King now 0-5
King MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - A day after being dealt a $14.7 million verdict against it in Kentucky, pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca received some really good news in Alabama.
Calif. officials eschew tort reforms
Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-While California lawmakers are traditionally busy in their home districts during autumn, after the state Legislature recesses, this year they will be called into at least three special sessions to address a bevy of complex issues.
Mass. company agrees to benefits for owners of unfair loans‏
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A Massachusetts mortgage servicing company that purchased approximately 280 unfair loans serviced by another company has agreed to provide the borrowers with significant benefits
Cuomo targets gem seller
Cuomo POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is suing a Newburgh, N.Y. resident who has been allegedly selling fraudulent antique items for thousands of dollars over the Internet.
Wisc. consumers up for refunds in N.Y. case
Van Hollen MADISON, Wisc. (Legal Newsline) - Consumers in Wisconsin who purchased electronics from certain who were injured by the alleged actions of certain New York-based online companies may be eligible for refunds, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says.
N.Y. court rules for Cuomo against debt settlement company
Cuomo BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A national debt settlement company is barred from doing business in New York until it posts a $500,000 performance bond to protect consumers in the state following a loss in a lawsuit filed by the state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
High-profile lawyer may run for N.Y. AG
Coffey NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Trial lawyer Sean Coffey has retired from his position at a major New York firm to explore a run at state attorney general.
Brown warns against foreclosure services charging up-front fees
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California homeowners should avoid individuals and businesses that charge up up-front fees for home foreclosure relief services, California Attorney General Jerry Brown said Thursday.
Company wants Maine marketing law gone
Mills AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) - A company unhappy with a new Maine predatory marketing law wants the state Legislature to repeal it and might have state Attorney General Janet Mills on its side.
Charges filed over unlawful Texas subdivision
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - The developers of a western El Paso County subdivision have been charged with violating Texas' colonia-prevention laws by illegally subdividing residential lots and failing to install water facilities before selling the lots.
Washington SC: Judicial records not subject to public access
Susan Owens OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline)-The Washington state judiciary is exempt from public records law, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
New York AG sues construction group for discriminatory wage practices‏
Andrew Cuomo (D) NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A lawsuit has been filed against a group of six New York construction and contracting companies alleged to have failed to pay its employees more than $4 million in wages and overtime pay.
Florida asks for increased protection from negative options‏
Bill McCollum (R) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida's attorney general has weighed in with the Federal Trade Commission on potential amendments to strengthen the FTC's "negative option" rule.
Okla. AG candidate pledges to be business-friendly
Ryan Leonard (R) OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Legal Newsline) - Ryan Leonard, a Republican candidate for Oklahoma attorney general, pledged Thursday to do what he can to promote a favorable business climate in the Sooner State as its chief legal officer.
Mass. A.G. asks for utility rate increase be turned into a decrease‏
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Massachusetts attorney general has asked the Department of Public Utilities to reject a rate increase of $111 million that is being sought by National Grid.
Seattle remodelers warned about business practices‏
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - A letter sent by Washington's attorney general to more than 30 home remodelers statewide informed them that they must educate themselves against unlawful business practices to end the slew of complaints against the industry.
U.S. Senate a possibility for younger Biden
Biden DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - Back from Baghdad, Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden says he is consdering a new job.
Republican enters Oklahoma AG race
Ryan Leonard (R) OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Legal Newsline) - Republican Ryan Leonard this week announced his run for state attorney general.
Conn. A.G. begins investigation into Smart Choices food‏ labeling
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut's attorney general has launched an investigation into the so-called "Smart Choices" national food label program that endorses mayonnaise, sugar-laden cereals and other nutritionally suspect foods.