News from September 2009
Judge wants 'global settlement' of remaining AG Zyprexa suits
Weinstein NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - U.S. District Judge Jack Weinstein recently continued his push to have all state actions filed against Eli Lilly & Co. over its prescription antipsychotic Zyprexa settled.
Speculation mounts Stevens is poised to leave Supreme Court
John Paul Stevens WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)--U.S. Supreme Court watchers say it is telling that Associate Justice John Paul Stevens, who will turn 90 next year, has hired just one law clerk in advance of the high court's 2010 term.
Blumenthal: Insurance companies may be breaking the law
Richard Blumenthal (D) HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal on Tuesday sent petitions to U.S Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to investigate insurance companies that steer auto repair customers to body shops of their choosing.
Pfizer agrees to $2.3 billion settlement over off-label marketing
HHS Secy. Kathleen Sebelius WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- Pfizer Inc. and a subsidiary have reached a $2.3 billion settlement Wednesday with the U.S. government over the pharmaceutical giant's now-withdrawn medication Bextra and other medications.
Milgram settles with health care firm
Anne Milgram (D) NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, along with the state's Division of Consumer Affairs has reached an agreement with a Tom's River-based health care firm over allegations the company violated state consumer protection laws.
Promise of scrutiny could save asbestos defendants
Dorigo Jones When General Motors filed for bankruptcy three months ago, legal analyst Bob Dorigo Jones said he was caught by surprise upon learning that mass tort litigation cost the auto giant close to $1 billion last year.
City adopts greenhouse standard under agreement with AG Brown
Jerry Brown (D) STOCKTON, Calif. (Legal Newsline)--After losing a lawsuit filed by California Attorney General Jerry Brown, the city of Stockton will try to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.
Tobacco companies sue feds over new law
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - A group of tobacco companies are hoping to put a stop to a new federal law that they say violates their right to free speech.
Debt collection irking most consumers, NAAG's top 10 shows
Bennett
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - More consumers complained to state attorneys general about companies' debt-collection practices last year than for any other reason, a list released Monday by the National Association of Attorneys General says.
Permanent injunction granted in sports-betting case
Markell WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - Following an appellate ruling, a federal judge in Delaware entered an order Tuesday that will prevent the State from instituting much of its proposed sports-betting scheme.
Coakley has eyes on U.S. Senate
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley become the first person to declare candidacy for a special election that will determine who will replace the late Ted Kennedy in the U.S. Senate.
Ohio justices hear grocery tax case
Ohio Supreme Court justices COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments over whether grocery stores should have to pay the state's Commercial Activities Tax.
Blagojevich planned to appoint AG Madigan to Obama seat
Rod Blagojevich (D) CHICAGO (Legal Newsline)-Ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich planned to appoint state Attorney General Lisa Madigan to the senate seat left vacant by President Barack Obama, he said in a new book.
Reform group takes aim at Calif. trial lawyers
John Sullivan SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California's trial lawyers have been a drag on the Golden State's already struggling economy, the leader of the Civil Justice Association of California said.
McCollum allocates $84,000 in fight against home foreclosures
Bill McCollum (R) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum, along with the Florida Bar Association, on Monday awarded $84,000 to the Legal Aid Society of Orange County as part of its new foreclosure defense assistance program.
Six obtains $2.6M from cigarette companies
Steve Six (D) TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Steve Six on Monday announced his office has obtained $2.6 million from judgments against two tobacco companies.
NJ reimbursed for school site clean-up
Anne Milgram (D) TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram on Monday announced the state is being reimbursed $866,932 for costs incurred after cleaning up a polluted school site thanks to a superior court judge's ruling.