News from August 2011
Ohioans can vote to block health care reform
DeWine COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio voters will have the chance to vote on a proposed amendment that would attempt to prevent federal health care reform from being implemented in the state.
Judge describes rough outline of BP oil spill liability trial
Barbier NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier today gave an idea of the structure for the first liability trial in the BP oil spill multidistrict litigation set to take place in February 2012.
Obama likely to try stalling health care appeal, professor says
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - A Northwestern University law professor says President Barack Obama's plan in the wake of an adverse ruling regarding his health care reform will likely be to stall his appeal until after 2012's election.
McGraw sues carnival ride business
McGraw CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney Genearl Darrell McGraw filed a lawsuit on Sunday against an entertainment company for unlawful, deceptive and unfair sales practices in the operation of an amusement and carnival ride business.
Mass. AG brings civil rights lawsuit against restaurant
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a lawsuit on Monday against a Dorchester, Mass., restaurant and bar and its owner for alleged civil rights and public accommodations violations.
Md. AG continues health club crackdown
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced the filing of administrative charges on Friday against four Maryland health clubs and their respective owners for failing to register with his office.
Mass. mobile home park required to upgrade septic system
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Friday that the owner of the Pocasset Mobile Home Park has been found liable for allegedly failing to upgrade the property's septic system.
Eleventh Circuit rules against part of ObamaCare
Bondi ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has sided with 26 states in their challenge to President Barack Obama's health care reform.
Texas AG: Lobbyists can't serve on state Board of Education
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, in an opinion issued Friday, said a subsection of the state Education Code precludes certain registered lobbyists from serving on the Texas Board of Education.
Idaho SC rules against onion-packing plant
Horton BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - The Idaho Supreme Court has upheld a jury verdict in favor of a field man who claimed he was offered a long-term employment contract with an onion-packing plant.
Judge not good enough for lawyers from Ecuadorian class action
Kaplan NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Lawyers for the Ecuadorian plaintiffs suing Chevron Corp., including lawyer Steven Donziger, filed motions Wednesday alleging that U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan is failing to provide a fair trial.
Conn. SC rules for John Deere
Zarella HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that an insurance company's evidence was "insufficient" to establish its products liability claim against tractor manufacturer Deere and Co.
Group says W.Va. lawmakers should take notice of Mississippi
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A West Virginia legal reform group, pointing to recent actions by Mississippi's auditor, says state lawmakers need to put a stop to Attorney General Darrell McGraw's "questionable" lawsuit settlement practices.
AWP settlement worth $2.5M
Wasden BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced a $2.5 million settlement on Thursday with two prescription drug manufacturers resolving alleged drug pricing violations.
Mo. AG continues dog breeder crackdown
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a lawsuit on Friday in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture against a dog breeder for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act.
Mo. AG continues dog breeder crackdown
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) ' Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a lawsuit on Friday in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture against a dog breeder for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act.
Gansler takes on health club
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced administrative charges Thursday against an Essex, Md., health club and its owner.
Sorrell reaches $1M settlement with waste hauler
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell announced a $1 million settlement on Friday with a waste hauling service for allegedly violating a 2002 settlement with the Attorney General's Office.
Dow brings suit against pet dealer
Dow TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow and the state Division of Consumer Affairs announced a lawsuit on Thursday seeking injunctive relief against a pet dealer who allegedly sold gravely ill puppies.
Jepsen settles price-fixing case for $50K penalty
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced a settlement on Thursday with two hotel owners and a hotel management company over allegations of price fixing.