News from July 2010
Wis. SC orders $200M returned to injured patients fund
Prosser MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - The Wisconsin Medical Society called Tuesday's decision by the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturning the raid on the state's Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund "a victory."
Mich. SC permits insurers to factor credit scores
Granholm LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- The Supreme Court of Michigan earlier this month reversed an initiative of Gov. Jennifer Granholm that would've barred insurance companies from considering customers' credit ratings when setting rates.
Tampa power company giving $24M back
McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum announced on Tuesday that a Tampa electric company has agreed to issue a one-time refund to customers as part of a $24 million settlement.
Delaney says tobacco retailers are now manufacturers
Delaney CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney announced on Tuesday that his office has brought lawsuits against two tobacco retailers.
Drug maker settles with three states, feds
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced on Tuesday that, as part of a $169 million multistate settlement, Texas will receive $51.4 million from a pharmaceutical company for alleged Medicaid fraud.
Cuomo says Pa. pollution drifting to New York
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced on Tuesday that he has sent word to one of the top electric power plants in Pennsylvania that he is planning to file a lawsuit against them.
Vermont settles with debt settlement companies
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell announced on Monday that he has reached a $206,000 agreement with two debt settlement companies charged with violating the Vermont Consumer Fraud Act.
Manchin will run for Byrd's Senate seat
Manchin CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin announced Tuesday morning he will run for U.S. Senate to fill the late Sen. Robert Byrd's unexpired term.
Only 1 percent of plaintiffs offer evidence in Texas silica MDL
Halbach HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - Only 54 plaintiffs out of more than 5,000 in a silicosis multidistrict litigation court responded to a request for information that would have satisfied medical requirements and allowed their lawsuits to proceed.
Palin: Ayotte is a 'mama grizzly'
Ayotte MANCHESTER, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - Former New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte scored a high-profile endorsement Monday from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, with Palin calling Ayotte the state's "mama grizzly."
McCollum settles with T-Mobile
McCollum TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has reached a settlement with a cell phone company that allegedly billed consumers incorrectly.
Blumenthal through playing with video game industry
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced on Monday that he is joining a multi-state coalition arguing for a state's right to impose age restrictions on video games deemed too violent.
Coakley sues credit repair provider
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has filed a lawsuit against two men and their businesses for allegedly violating state and federal law through fraudulent credit repair services.
Mistrial declared in Illinois asbestos trial
Wylder BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Two mesothelioma sufferers fell short of a unanimous jury verdict on their claim that a conspiracy among corporations caused their disease.
Cox in a fight for GOP bid in Michigan
Cox LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - The Republican race for governor in Michigan is a virtual three-way tie with just a couple of weeks left before the state's Aug. 3 primary, according to a recent poll.
R.I. SC could force State to pay up
Lynch PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - The companies that successfully defended themselves against the state of Rhode Island still want the costs of doing so paid for.
AIG, Cordray reach $725M agreement
OLUMBUS (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray announced over the weekend a $725 million securities class action settlement against international insurance and financial services organization American International Group, Inc., or AIG.
AG Brown slams Whitman's spending
Whitman SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) - In a letter to voters Thursday, Democratic gubernatorial candidate and California Attorney General Jerry Brown criticized Republican opponent Meg Whitman for a donation she was apparently poised to give the state's Republican Party.
Cuccinelli successful in opposing rate increase
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is praising a decision by the State Corporation Commission to deny an approximately $154 million base rate increase that Appalachian Power Company was seeking.
WSJ: Trial lawyers on 'Plan C' for tax break
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Wall Street Journal took on the issue of a possible tax break for lawyers working on contingency fees in an editorial Thursday.