News from August 2010
Third Circuit won't make Del. SC's mind up for it
Rendell PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has decided not to predict whether the Delaware Supreme Court would recognize medical monitoring claims as valid, overturning a lower court decision that said it would.
Attorney: Tax break would create more litigation, partnership with feds
Williams HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A West Virginia defense attorney says a possible trial lawyer tax break that has attracted the attention of 25 U.S. senators would make the federal government partners with plaintiffs attorneys.
Blumenthal sends letter to Craigslist over prostitution ads
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced on Tuesday that 16 other attorneys general have joined him in an effort to get the classified ad Web site Craigslist to remove its Adult Services section.
Fla. AG primary sees last-minute endorsements
Benson TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Two Republican candidates for Florida attorney general have each scored high-profile endorsements just a day before the state's primary election.
Ford gets $31M verdict overturned
Kittredge COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - The Supreme Court of South Carolina sided with Ford Motor Company in its appeal of a $31 million jury award on Aug. 16.
Ruling on global warming professor coming
Cuccinelli CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A ruling is expected in a week on a demand by Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli that the University of Virginia release research records of a well-known climate change researcher, according to The New York Times.
Coakley, Balboa Insurance settle
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Monday that she has reached a $1.5 million settlement with an insurance company that allegedly charged inflated premiums for its credit unemployment insurance products.
La. gov's BP choice a strange one, Forbes writer says
Jindal BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has selected what some are calling "a most unlikely" law firm to represent the state in litigation against oil giant BP.
Blumenthal shakes fist at DPUC
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said Monday that he is disappointed that the Department of Public Utility Control failed to eliminated a rate increase request by Aquarion Water.
Suthers' $2M settlement finalized
Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced on Monday that he has reached a $2 million settlement with two Englewood-based business brokers who allegedly defrauded more than 700 businesses over a three-year period.
Wasden settles with bankrupt company
Wasden BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced on Monday that he has settled with a mortgage modification company that allegedly defrauded customers around the country.
Pharma company pays up
Cooper RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced on Monday that a pharmaceutical manufacturer will pay the state $500,000 as part of a national $36.9 million settlement for allegedly marketing a drug for unapproved uses.
Topix CEO: Blumenthal 'running point' on technology attack
Blumenthal PALO ALTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The CEO of Topix.com says he learned the new developments in the investigation of his company through press releases issued by state attorneys general.
N.Y. AG-hopeful would create new unit
Coffey ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Sean Coffey, a Democratic candidate for New York attorney general, wants lawmakers to voluntarily fill out forms detailing any possible conflicts with nonprofits in an effort to crack down on abuses in how state lawmakers dole out funds.
Rice donor could become courtroom opponent
Rice ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General-hopeful Kathleen Rice has received substantial contributions from a top executive at a company being sued by current state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office.
Cuomo's allegations 'implausible,' ex-CEO says
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Former Bank of America Chief Executive Kenneth Lewis has filed what some are calling an "aggressive response" to a civil fraud lawsuit from New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.
Craigslist fed up with Coakley
Coakley BOSTON, Mass. (Legal Newsline) - The CEO of Craigslist says Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley's vow to tame the online classified site's sex ads could spell doom for the popular trading post.
AG Koster drops out of health care challenge
Koster ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has decided not to get involved in his state's challenge of federal health care reform.
Idaho AG settles with auto park
Wasden BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced on Thursday that he has reached a $150,000 settlement with an auto park and a marketing company over an allegedly dishonest "Cash Rewards" program.
Company wants look at asbestos bankruptcy trust payments
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) - The former maker of asbestos-containing dryer felts, on the hook for a $1.6 million verdict, wants Maryland's highest court to permit it to see how much money a plaintiff has already received for his claim from other companies.