News from June 2010
AG Caldwell loses Vioxx lawsuit
Caldwell NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has shot down the state of Louisiana's claims that it would not have purchased Merck & Co.'s prescription drug Vioxx if it knew of the dangers associated with it.
W.Va. AG peeks into Byrd replacement policy
Hughes CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw's office says no one contacted it requiring how to fill the vacancy in the U.S. Senate caused by the recent death of Sen. Robert Byrd.
Countrywide's lending practices discriminatory, Ill. AG says
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that she has filed charges against a mortgage lender over alleged discrimination practices.
Kroger, food processor settle contamination allegations
Kroger SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced on Wednesday he has reached an agreement with a food processor that was accused of selling contaminated food and not alerting the proper organization.
Business groups upset with amendment to Pa. bill
Santarsiero HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Several business groups are fighting legislation in Pennsylvania that will allow lawyers to argue for specific amounts of noneconomic damages during a trial's closing arguments.
N.J. settlement worth more than $5M
Dow TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow has reached a settlement with a loan modification company and its owners for more than $5 million.
Group seeks help getting records from McConnell settlement
McConnell PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - A Rhode Island group wants the details of the state's lead paint settlement with DuPont that was negotiated by attorney Jack McConnell, currently being considered for a federal judgeship by the U.S. Senate.
Ill. settlement will benefit eight not-for-profits
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that she has reached a $5,135,000 million settlement with a medical center over alleged violations of hospital licensing regulations.
Mississippi begins receiving diaper money
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood has turned over to Medicaid the first $100,000 of a June 9 settlement with a home care company that was charged with incorrectly billing Medicaid.
Koster files water suit
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Monday that his office has filed a lawsuit against a compost business allegations that they violated the state's Clean Water Law.
Cuomo writes union head over apple strike
Cuomo WILLIAMSON, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is getting involved in a strike at a Mott's plant, advising the union and the plant's owner reach a fair solution for all involved.
Seeds of doubt in McGraw's mind
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw is worried farmers are spending more for soybeans that are producing identical returns as less expensive ones.
Biden back to work
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden has returned to work more than a month after suffering a mild stroke.
Cuomo sends more letters
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has announced an expansion of his crackdown on mortgage rescue companies that he says abuse homeowners in the state.
Exxon pays up for alleged air pollution
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - ExxonMobil Corporation and two affiliates will pay the state of Massachusetts a $2.9 million civil penalty.
Restitution a result of Blumenthal suit
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has announced that restitution checks totaling $60,000 have been sent to consumers who allegedly paid a Bridgeport company for headstones that were not delivered.
Morgan Stanley settlement worth $102M
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Thursday that she has reached a $102 million settlement with a top investment company over alleged subprime loan violations.
Corbett sues pair of car dealerships
Corbett HARRISBURG, Penn. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett announced on Wednesday that his office has filed charges against two used car dealerships accused of deceptive practices.
Asbestos bankruptcy conference highlights Chapter 11
Hartley CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - An asbestos litigation expert said rules being developed in asbestos Chapter 11 cases are serving as precedent for resolution of other mass torts.
Thirty-three states settle computer chip suit
Brown LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - Thirty-three state attorneys general have reached a $173 million settlement with six computer chip manufacturers who were accused of conspiring to fix prices.