News from 2009
New Jersey gets $1M payout from major investment bank
Anne Milgram (D) NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline)-New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram has agreed to a $1 million settlement with Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc, after the company was found liable of fraudulent auction-rate securities practices.
Peirce can't hide behind privilege, judge rules
Peirce WHEELING, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Magistrate Judge James Seibert won't let Pittsburgh attorney Robert Peirce hide from CSX Transportation behind attorney client privilege.
AG: Lawmakers' budget powers are not absolute
Wayne Stenehjem (R) FARGO, N.D. (Legal Newsline)-North Dakota lawmakers are free to reject the governor's budget recommendations, the state attorney general said in a formal opinion issued Thursday.
Kroger: Oregon has 'new-found emphasis' on prosecuting polluters
John Kroger (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General John Kroger has vowed an aggressive pursuit of polluters in the Beaver State if the state Legislature authorizes the creation of an environmental crimes unit in his office.
Republican senator announces run for Calif. AG
Tom Harman (R) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-The first Republican has thrown his hat into the 2010 race to be California's next attorney general.
Legislative panel to examine mortgage collapse
Pedro Nava (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)- State assemblyman and candidate for California attorney general Pedro Nava will hold a legislative hearing Monday to examine the role of accounting firms in the collapse of mortgage lending.
S.C.'s top court to Gov. Sanford: Take the money
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford must request $700 million in federal stimulus funds because the Legislature told him to, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
Va. SC justice may be headed for spot on federal appeals court
RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) - Virginia's Democratic Senators have picked a state Supreme Court justice as their choice to fill a vacancy on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Democrat enters race for Fla. AG
Aronberg TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A state senator who was critical of an advertising commercial contract given by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum will try to become McCollum's successor next year.
Texas AG sues BP over environmental violations
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-The Texas attorney general has charged BP Products North America Inc. with violating state health, safety and environmental protection laws, his office said Thursday.
Poll: Brown leads Democratic race for Calif. governor
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Attorney General Jerry Brown leads the Democratic race for governor, a poll indicates.
Poultry companies object to AG settlement
Drew Edmondson (D) TULSA, Okla. (Legal Newsline) - A group of poultry companies being sued by the Oklahoma attorney general are objecting to a proposed settlement that would remove one company from the lawsuit over water contamination.
Injury lawyers step up in GM after getting shot down in Chrysler
NEW YORK CITY - U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez peeled personal injury lawyers off New Chrysler on May 31, ruling that Italian automaker Fiat can buy old Chrysler's assets free and clear of tort claims.
South Carolina stimulus issue to be decided by state SC
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - The South Carolina Supreme Court will determine if Gov. Mark Sanford must bow to the General Assembly and accept nearly $700 million in federal stimulus funds.
Blumenthal not completely happy with Chrysler sale
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal says Italian automaker Fiat must answer for any products liability claim against Chrysler.
The Libby verdict: Did the judge play favorites?
Uhlmann The acquital of W.R. Grace in Libby, Mt., brought cheers among asbestos defendants who for decades have had little to celebrate in courtrooms across the country.
Challenge to N.Y. ballast water restrictions denied‏
Andrew Cuomo (D) ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A potential challenge to restrictions put on the dumping of ballast water by large commercial ships has been dismissed by the New York State Supreme Court, the state's attorney general said.
Ohio AG hopes for speedy GM reorganization
Richard Cordray (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline)-Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray on Monday said he is hopeful that General Motors Corp. is able to swiftly reorganize under federal bankruptcy protections.
Milgram sues ticket vendors
Anne Milgram (D) Newark, N.J.(Legal Newsline)-New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram is seeking legal action against five ticket vendors for allegedly violating the state's Consumer Fraud Act.
U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear patent case
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider whether patent protections for methods of doing business should be expanded.