News from April 2011
Report: Attorneys fees racking up on ex-Kan. AG's ethics case
Kline TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansans have reportedly spent more than $500,000 to defend former Attorney General Phill Kline and two aides in their ethics cases before the state's Board for Disclipline of Attorneys.
Fla. SC overhaul passes House
Cannon TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Bills aimed at modernizing and improving the efficiency of Florida's court system passed the state's House of Representatives last week.
Tenn. AG files contempt petition against JK Harris
Cooper NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced on Friday that his office has filed a contempt petition against a tax preparer and its co-defendants after they allegedly failed to meet the terms of a 2008 agreement.
Schneiderman settles with housing manufacturer
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman an agreement with a housing developer on Friday to ensure equal access to housing for people with disabilities.
Waste Management to pay $100K in Wisconsin
Van Hollen KENOSHA, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced on Monday that a civil environmental enforcement action against a landfill in Paris, Kenosha County, Wis., has been filed and resolved.
Van Hollen removed as counsel in bill issue
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has agreed to step down as Secretary of State Doug La Follette's legal counsel in an ongoing court battle over Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining bill.
Ariz. passes reform for contingency contracts with AG's office
Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed into law a bill that limits contingency fees for private attorneys who are hired to represent the state.
Wis. Dems ask for investigation into '06 AG's race
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - The Democratic Party of Wisconsin, concerned about the recent state Supreme Court election, is asking the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board to also investigate the November 2006 general election results.
Class lawyers were worried about AG settlement with Bank of America
McGraw NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A December settlement to which Bank of America agreed with the federal government and several states was a source of uneasiness for the lawyers in a multidistrict litigation against the company earlier this year.
AG qualifications bill progresses in Connecticut
Bysiewicz HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - A bill that would clarify the qualifications for being Connecticut's attorney general has passed the General Assembly's judiciary committee.
Coakley: No compensation for nonprofit board members
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said in a report Thursday that there is no justification for board members to be compensated at the state's four major not-for-profit health insurers.
Zoeller says East Chicago meetings should be public
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller responded to the East Chicago City Council meeting in executive session and discussing the distribution of casino revenue.
Maine AG plans appeal over Plum Creek plan
Schneider AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) - Maine Attorney General William Schneider is appealing a recent Superior Court decision regarding the Land Use Regulation Commission's decision conditionally approving Plum Creek's Concept Plan for the Moosehead Lake Region.
Investment company paying $8.25M in N.J. settlement
Dow NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A Union County-based investment company and its owner will pay $8.25 million to settle allegations investors were defrauded through a Ponzi scheme.
Conn. AG settles antitrust case
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jespen announced on Thursday the settlement of an antitrust and unfair practices lawsuit against the former owner of two waste disposal companies.
N.C. AG settles public nuisance case against TVA
Cooper ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced a settlement on Thursday with the Tennessee Valley Authority to reduce emissions from its coal-fired plants and to pay the state $11.2 million.
Marcellus Shale is 'the next big thing'
Reinhart CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It's getting difficult to find a hotel room these days in some parts of rural Pennsylvania. Even harder to buy a Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Ind. AG will defend House members from fines
Zoeller INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said Thursday that he will defend the state House of Representatives from any lawsuit filed over the fines it has imposed.
N.J. SC won't touch $7M asbestos award
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The New Jersey Supreme Court will let stand a woman's $7 million award from oil giant ExxonMobil.
Article argues for dismissal of states' global warming case
Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, whose state is one of the plaintiffs in the case. WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Washington Legal Foundation, in a publication last week, says the U.S. Supreme Court must reverse an appeals court's decision in favor of a group of plaintiffs suing over the effects of global warming.