News from April 2010
Congressman seeks GAO probe of asbestos trusts
Lamar Smith (R) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, the leading Republican on the House Judiciary Committee, today asked the director of the Government Accountability Office to investigate the secrecy behind trusts created to pay asbestos-related claims against bankrupt companies.
Suit filed against Colorado loan modification firm
John Suthers (R) DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers has announced the filing of a consumer protection lawsuit against a loan modification and foreclosure relief company, its owner and its principal employee over allegations of defrauding consumers.
N.J. settles with loan modification company‏
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow has announced an agreement with a New Jersey loan modification company and its owners to pay $11.45 million to settle civil charges of defrauding homeowners who sought mortgage foreclosure help.
AGs sue car warranty firms
Rob McKenna (R) OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - A group of state attorneys general are suing two extended auto warranty companies over alleged nefarious business practices.
Oregon AG says no wrongdoing in Ducks' deal with coach
John Kroger (D) SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline)-Oregon Attorney General John Kroger said Thursday that he found no wrongdoing in the University of Oregon's $2.3 million severance package for its departing athletic director.
Calif. Supreme Court justice to undergo surgery
Joyce Kennard SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)-California Supreme Court Associate Justice Joyce Kennard will undergo abdominal surgery, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.
W.Va. chamber: Take attack ad off the air
Wells CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Advertisements attacking W.Va. Sen. Erik Wells' voting record on whistleblower lawsuits are upsetting him and the state Chamber of Commerce.
Republican makes late-entry into Minnesota AG race
R. Christopher Barden (R) ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline)-A Republican psychologist-lawyer announced today he will challenge Minnesota's Democratic attorney general, Lori Swanson, pledging to work to overturn the national health care law if elected.
Judge certifies class in 401(k) case
Magnuson ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has certified a class of as many as 160,000 Wells Fargo employees in a lawsuit against the company over its handling of their retirement accounts.
Sempra Energy settles Calif. price-gouging lawsuit
Jerry Brown (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-Sempra Energy has agreed to pay $410 million to settle price-gouging claims stemming from contracts the company had with California during the state's energy crisis that began in 2000.
Former Ohio AG's wife pleads guilty
Marc Dann (D) COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) -Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann's wife pleaded guilty this week to a state ethics charge that could send her to jail.
Cuomo continues legal assault on N.Y. Senate majority leader
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has filed another lawsuit against state Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr.
McKenna appears before U.S. Supreme Court to defend records law
Rob McKenna (R) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna today urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold his state's practice of releasing voter-signed petitions.
Massey faces water lawsuit
Massey CEO Don Blankenship CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Four environmental groups are suing five subsidiaries of Massey Energy, the company that owns the Raleigh County mine where 29 miners recently lost their lives, over alleged violations of the Clean Water Act.
Calif. AG hopeful gives campaign another $4 million
Chris Kelly (D) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline)-California attorney general hopeful Chris Kelly has contributed an additional $4 million to his campaign war chest, the Democrat said Tuesday.
Cordray warns against preemption in financial regulations
Richard Cordray (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- Congress should be careful not to restrict powers of state attorneys general as they hammer out a possible financial regulation bill, Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray told two leading Senate lawmakers.
U.S. SC: Securities suit against Merck filed timely
Breyer WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit filed by investors in Merck & Co. may proceed, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
AstraZeneca to pay $520 million over Seroquel marketing
Jerry Brown (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-AstraZeneca PLC, the U.K.'s second-largest drug maker, has agreed to pay $520 million to settle claims it improperly marketed its blockbuster anti-psychotic drug Seroquel, officials said Tuesday.
Federalist Society explores impact of Caperton decision
Caperton WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Though Hugh Caperton ultimately lost his $50 million case against Massey Energy, the case is beginning to have an effect on how several states view judicial recusal standards, a new publication by the Federalist Society says.
U.S. Supreme Court to hear violent video game ban
Jerry Brown (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday granted California Attorney General Jerry Brown's petition to consider the state's law that bars the sale and rental of violent video games to children.