News from 2009
Environmentalists sue to invalidate long-term water contracts
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-California environmentalists are appealing a judge's decision to keep active more than 100 long-term water delivery contracts in the agriculturally rich Central Valley.
Senate begins health care debate amid calls for tort reforms
Max Baucus (D-Mont.) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-On the heels of vociferous calls by business and trade groups to include legal reforms in the Senate health care bill, the chamber Monday began debate on the mammoth plan aimed at changing the way the nation's insurance companies do business.
AG Kroger could cast wide net in pursuit of polluters, lawyers warn
Christopher Rycewicz SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General John Kroger's push to prosecute environmental polluters could create problems for small businesses in the Beaver State, two leading lawyers say.
Lawsuit alleges cemetery services acquisition would be anticompetitve
Masto LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) - Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has filed a lawsuit alleging that the proposed purchase of Palm Mortuary, Inc., by Service Corporation International would violate federal and state antitrust laws.
AG announces indictment against Oregon gubernatorial candidate
John Kroger (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-A conservative anti-tax activist who plans to run for Oregon governor next year faces tax evasion charges, state Attorney General John Kroger said Monday.
Nine N.J. companies assessed civil penalties and restitution
Milgram NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Notices of violation have been sent by the Division of Consumer Affairs to nine New Jersey-based companies for allegedly offering loan modification services to consumers without being licensed.
CVS targeted in Blumenthal suit
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has announced a lawsuit against CVS Pharmacy, Inc., for allegedly selling food, beverages and over-the-counter medications past their expiration dates.
Workman files stinging dissent in $50M case
Workman CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The lone dissenter in the controversial $50 million case heard three times by the West Virginia Supreme Court has harsh words for the majority.
Ohio fire repair company faces lawsuit over work
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - A Columbus company that allegedly targeted Ohioans whose homes had recently been damaged by fire is facing a lawsuit from state Attorney General Ricard Cordray alleging the company took advantage of those homeowners.
Missouri AG files suit against Florida loan modification company‏
Chris Koster (D) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Attorney General Chris Koster has filed a lawsuit against a Florida mortgage modification company he alleges took money from distressed Missouri homeowners without providing any meaningful service.
Radnofsky to file for Texas attorney general
Barbara Ann Radnofsky (D) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Democrat Barbara Ann Radnofsky said Monday will officially file papers to run for Texas attorney general this week.
Drug stores: McGraw's 'hunch' is off
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Prescription drug store chains sued by West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw are alleging that his lawsuit is based on nothing more than "an erroneous hunch."
Poll: Cox leads Michigan governor's race
Mike Cox (R) LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline)-Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is the frontrunner in next year's governor's race, a poll Monday indicates.
Texas AG sues price-comparison Web sites
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Monday that he has sued seven price-comparison Web sites he says are misleading online consumers.
U.S. Supreme Court lets $82 million Calif. judgment against Ford stand
U.S. Supreme Court building WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by Ford Motor Co. over an $82.6 million judgment in a product-liability suit over the company's Explorer model.
Editorial: Brown should not sail through Democratic primary
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California's Democratic Party would be wise to seek additional candidates to run for governor besides just Attorney General Jerry Brown, an editorial said Sunday.
New York judge nullifies mortgage
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline)-A New York judge is sending a strong message to mortgage companies: Help struggling homebuyers avoid losing their homes.
Minn. clinic sued for falsely enrolling patients in credit program
Lori Swanson (D) ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson has filed a lawsuit against a chiropractic clinic that allegedly enrolled patients in health care credit card programs without their consent.
Krauthammer: Scrap Senate health care bill, enact tort reform
Charles Krauthammer WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Tort reform ought to be a cornerstone of the Senate health care overhaul bill, which is currently a "new entitlement of stupefying arbitrariness and inefficiency," a leading conservative commentator says.
White House to announce more foreclosure help
Barack Obama (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The White House on Monday plans to announce additional help for Americans having trouble making their home mortgage payments, something long called for by several state attorneys general.