News from October 2009
Calif. AG candidates make 'easy target' of oil companies
Alberto Torrico (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Two Democratic candidates for California attorney general are seeking to ease the state's fiscal woes by unfairly collecting billions from oil producers, industry and anti-tax activists say.
Illinois files suit against security company for deceptive sales practices‏
Lisa Madigan (D) CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois' Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit against a security company that allegedly used deceptive sales tactics that often left customers stuck in two separate sales contracts.
Texas judge to handle Scruggs case
Richard "Dickie" Scruggs HOUSTON, Texas (Legal Newsline)-A federal judge in Texas will hear a lawsuit claiming that disgraced former trial attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs and several others conspired to defraud a former colleague of millions of dollars in legal fees.
Blogging attorneys warn drug companies in W.Va.
Herrmann CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A West Virginia Supreme Court decision to ignore 47 other jurisdictions is at the center of a new blog post by a pair of attorneys who say prescription drug companies should think twice about doing business in West Virginia.
AG demands Web site end sales of memorial shirts of slain UConn football player‏
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has demanded that a Pennsylvania website immediately end sales of memorial T-shirts and towels or recently murdered University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard or face legal action.
Multistate settlement: Student Loan Xpress to forgive $113 million in debt
Jerry Brown (D-Calif.) (Legal Newsline)- Students from the now-defunct Silver State Helicopters LLC will have millions in tuition debt erased under an agreement between the school's loan provider and a dozen state attorneys general.
Low-income Californians to get free representation in civil court
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Lower-income Californians will gain a new right next year -- free legal representation in certain civil cases -- at least temporarily.
Nava: Big Oil not paying its 'fair share'
Pedro Nava (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)- Assemblyman Pedro Nava, the Southern California lawmaker vying to become the state's next chief legal officer, said Monday that Big Oil companies are getting off easy.
S.C. the largest in last round of Zyprexa settlements so far
McMaster COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster announced Friday that his settlement with Eli Lilly & Co. over its prescription antipsychotic Zyprexa is worth $45 million.
Nevada AG gets injunction against phone companies
Catherine Cortez Masto (D) CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) -Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto said Monday that a dozen phone companies in the state were charging consumers for unauthorized services.
Possible federal judge opened checkbook for 13 senators
McConnell PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Since 2000, trial lawyer Jack McConnell has contributed to the campaigns of 13 current U.S. senators who may eventually help make him a federal judge.
Toshiba 10 years later: A look back at a Texas city's big settlement
BEAUMONT, Texas (Legal Newsline)--It's been 10 years since Toshiba settled what is probably the largest recovery ever obtained in a class action lawsuit for economic damages.
Idaho SC vacates $63 million verdict in hospital case
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline)-The Idaho Supreme Court has vacated the largest jury verdict in state history, sending back to trial the case between MRI Associates and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center.
Mass. insulation companies cited for violations of wage and hour laws‏
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Two Massachusetts insulation companies have been cited by Attorney General Martha Coakley's office for violations of state wage and hour laws.
Ohio attorney general files suit over non-delivered Internet purchases
SANDUSKY, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray has filed a complaint against a home decorating company alleged to have failed to deliver purchases made online.
Developers agree to settlement over affordable housing law
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The developers of a condominium complex in Braintree, Mass., have agreed to a $2.275 million settlement with state Attorney General Martha Coakley resulting from compliance with the state's affordable housing law.
McKenna files suit against auto dealers and marketers
McKenna VANCOUVER, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna has announced two lawsuits resulting from his investigation into deceptive practices by some auto dealers and marketers.
N.C. settles with three gas stations
Cooper RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - Three North Carolina gas stations have agreed to pay $15,000 to resolve allegations of price gouging resulting from an investigation by Attorney General Roy Cooper over price inflation following Hurricane Ike.
Suit filed against Fla. used car dealers
McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A lawsuit was filed Monday against several related used car dealers in Pompano Beach by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum over allegations of deceptive and unfair business practices.
AG candidate Nava to propose oil severance tax
Pedro Nava (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-A Democratic candidate for California attorney general today will once again introduce legislation to enact a $1.5 billion a year tax on oil producers.