News from 2009
NU professor: Cy pres awards not benefitting consumers, only lawyers
Redish CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - A new paper being showcased by the Searle Center for Law, Regulation, and Economic Growth at Northwestern University's law school criticizes the practice of giving unclaimed funds in class action lawsuits to charities that perform work related to the litigation.
Cigarette seller in trouble in N.J.
Milgram TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A New York-based mail order cigarette seller has been found to be in violation of numerous New Jersey state laws by the state's Superior Court.
Brown urged to investigate Schwarzenegger's veto threat
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger should act on the more than 700 bills on his desk regardless of whether state legislators agree on a plan to upgrade the state's water system, a candidate for attorney general said.
Public Citizen sues to force Texas to regulate greenhouse gases
DALLAS, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Environmentalists in Texas this week sued in an effort to force the state to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Trial lawyers raise specter of tort reform in fundraising letters
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The national trial lawyers lobby is doing all it can to bring in much-needed cash - even asking its members to pony up money to help fight legislation few expect to pass.
Settlement proposed in Montana Power shareholder suit
BUTTE, Mont. (Legal Newsline)- Montana Power shareholders will receive $115 million under an agreement to settle three lawsuits over the utility's asset sales.
Cox says office's attorneys should not get a raise
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-Attorneys in the Michigan AG's office should not receive a 1 percent pay raise amid the state's budget woes, Attorney General Mike Cox said Tuesday.
Clinton's endorsement puts Brown's rival 'back in the race'
Bill Clinton (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Former U.S. President Bill Clinton's endorsement of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom for California governor won't likely hurt rival Attorney General Jerry Brown's campaign, a leading analyst said Tuesday.
N.M. construction workers benefit from settlement
King ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) - Thirty-seven construction workers in Farmington, N.M., will receive funds from a settlement totaling $236,000 from a local subcontractor who refused to pay them the prevailing wage and coerced the workers not to report the action.
Challenge to Utah pornography law dismissed
Shurtleff SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) - Utah has claimed a victory in its continuing battle to stop the pornography industry from e-mailing or sending text messages to children.
FOIA problem likely over soon in AG King's CMS case
King MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Alabama Attorney General Troy King's dispute with the federal Medicaid agency over a Freedom of Information Act request may soon be resolved.
Iowa AG investigates state's film office
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller on Monday announced his office is opening criminal investigations into the State's film office tax credit program.
Court sides with Blumenthal in junkyard cleanup case
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has been granted a contempt of court order against a North Branford-based junkyard after the owner refused to cleanup environmental waste.
Coakley sues health club over broken promise of new center
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is suing a Taunton-based health club, its manager and an employee over allegations of consumer fraud.
Kroger calls on Holder to defend Roadless Rule
John Kroger (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General John Kroger is urging the U.S. Department of Justice to fight hard to preserve wilderness areas from development.
Former Illinois AG considers run for governor
Jim Ryan (R) SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan is considering a run for the Republican gubernatorial nomination next year.
Brown won't investigate former legislator
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)- California Attorney General Jerry Brown does not have plans to investigate a former state legislator who was captured on tape bragging about his trysts with a lobbyist.
Coakley petitions federal agency
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts has begun taking steps to enforce a gas furnace efficiency standard that is more strict than the federal standard, which could save consumers approximately $144 million in heating costs between 2013-2030.
McKenna: Be wary of magazine sellers
McKenna SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna has issued a warning against those selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door claiming to be working for a charity.
Cuomo settles with Internet provider
Cuomo ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - An agreement has been reached with a Rochester-based company to pay $50,000 in refund and credits for failing to notify consumers properly about substantial early termination fees for its services.