News from September 2009
Consolidated complaint filed in Bank of America class action suit
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against Bank of America have filed their consolidated amended complaint, alleging the company withheld information from investors about its merger with Merrill Lynch.
Report: Overregulation strangling Calif. small businesses
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-State regulations are strangling small businesses in California, a new study indicates.
Iowa excavators penalized for failure to comply with One Call law‏
Tom Miller (D) DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Excavators in four Iowa counties that failed to notify the state's "One Call" hotline prior to excavating have been ordered to pay civil penalties.
Tennessee cracks down on the sale of single cigarettes‏
Bob Cooper (D) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - The sale of single cigarettes sold separately from a pack, called "loosies," in Tennessee is being combated by several Tennessee agencies.
Wal-Mart settles labor allegations
Martha Coakley (D) BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts' attorney general has reached a settlement with Wal-Mart Stores over allegations the retailer failed to comply with the Massachusetts Meal Break Law.
New Mexico AG gets Desert Rock permit remanded
Gary King (D) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Legal Newsline)---The federal Environmental Appeals Board has returned the air quality permit for the Desert Rock power plant to the U.S Environmental Protection Agency amid issues raised by the New Mexico attorney general.
Kroger's mortgage fraud task force files first indictment
John Kroger (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General John Kroger said Friday that his office's Mortgage Fraud Task Force has filed its first indictment.
McMaster says law barring contributions doesn't apply to him
McMaster COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster has no plans to return campaign money given by private attorneys he hired to represent the State in litigation.
Panel approves Calif. judicial nominee despite objections
Charles "Chuck" Poochigian (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's nominee to a state appeals court has been approved by a committee despite objections by the state bar.
McCollum reaches agreement with vitamin distributor
Bill McCollum (R) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum on Friday said his office and a Broward County-based vitamin distributor have reached an agreement after investigators revealed the company sold expired products.
Chamber would like transparency in financial reform
Rickard WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform says it has concerns with provisions regarding state attorneys general in a federal attempt to reform how the financial industry is regulated.
AG's poultry lawsuit gets underway
Drew Edmondson (D) TULSA, Okla. (Legal Newsline)- Trial has begun in Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson's closely watched lawsuit against large-scale poultry producers.
Nevada SC upholds smoking ban, rejects criminal sanctions
Nevada Supreme Court building CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline)-The Nevada Supreme Court on Thursday said the state's ban smoking indoors is constitutional, but rejected criminal prosecutions to uphold the voter-approved law.
Fla. AG files suit against Maimi-area subscription scam‏
Bill McCollum (R) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida's attorney general has filed a lawsuit alleging deceptive marketing practices against a Miami company that placed customers on a monthly subscription program without the customers' knowledge.
Pharmaceutical giant settles with Ariz. AG over inflated prices‏
Terry Goddard (D) PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Allegations of fraudulently inflated prices for certain drugs have led to a settlement between Bristol-Meyers Squibb and Arizona's attorney general.
Cuomo sues waste-hauling company he says dumped condoms
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Thursday announced his office has filed a lawsuit against a Westchester-based waste hauling company over allegations the business illegally dumped raw sewage into a New York City drinking supply stream.
Swanson sues debt relief companies
Swanson MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has filed lawsuits against three out-of-state debt relief companies over allegations the businesses violated Consumer Debt Fraud laws.
S.C. AG McMaster taking contributions from outside counsel he hired
McMaster COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - As the State of South Carolina's case against Eli Lilly & Co. nears trial, state Attorney General Henry McMaster's relationship with the private attorneys he hires to pursue lawsuits is being questioned.
AT&T: Blumenthal making nine-year error
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - AT&T has had enough of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal rallying against its decision to lay off workers and is claiming he made a serious error in his argument.
Cordray supports bill that would close payday loopholes
COLUMBUS, Ohio. (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray on Wednesday sent written testimony to a state legislative committee in support of legislation that would close the existing payday lending loopholes.