News from August 2011
Harris, others file another brief supporting health care law
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed a brief on Monday in the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit that supports the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Mich. SC endorses cutting judgeships
Young LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan must eliminate 45 trial court judgeships as a first step toward "rebalancing the workload" of the state's courts, according to an annual judicial report released last week.
Coakley settles Medicaid fraud allegations
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $153,000 settlement on Friday with a Bedford, Mass., clinical laboratory to resolve allegations it overcharged Medicaid.
Health insurer fine with Mich. AG's investigation
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan says it will work with state Attorney General Bill Schuette regarding its planned investment in one of the country's largest Medicaid companies.
Ninth Circuit rejects class action settlement
Frank PASADENA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has vacated a district court's approval of a settlement in a case that alleged that Bluetooth manufacturers knowingly failed to disclose the potential risk for hearing loss associated with extended use.
Former Mass. AG candidate alleges wrongdoing
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - James P. McKenna, a former Massachusetts attorney general candidate, is alleging that local election officials ignored thousands of write-in votes for him and his opponent in last year's Republican primary.
Schuette reviewing Blue Cross Blue Shield's purchase
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced on Thursday that his office is reviewing a health insurer's proposition to acquire a stake in a Pa.-based Medicaid company.
Study: Most doctors will face at least one malpractice suit
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) -- A comprehensive study of medical malpractice claims, published this week, revealed that about 1 in 14 doctors is the target of a claim each year.
Calif. SC makes ruling in medical damages case
Werdegar SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The California Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a plaintiff may only collect as damages the amount that actually had to be paid by insurers for medical treatment.
W.Va. judge: DuPont plaintiffs can enroll in monitoring program
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A group of plaintiffs who settled a personal injury case with DuPont earlier this year can now enroll in a court-administered medical monitoring program, a West Virginia judge ruled this week.
Report: N.Y. AG wants info on companies' gas drilling
Schneiderman ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is reportedly seeking documents from at least three energy companies about their drilling costs and productivity of their gas wells.
Corbett appoints former acting AG to gaming post
Corbett HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett announced the appointment Friday of William H. Ryan Jr. as a member and chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.
McKenna settles with car dealers
McKenna OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna announced eight settlements on Thursday with car dealers over ads that allegedly violate consumer protection laws.
Strange happy with bingo ruling
Strange MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange says he is pleased with the state Supreme Court's decision to stop a judge from making him return more than 300 electronic bingo machines.
Neb. AG: State's campaign laws likely unconstitutional
Bruning LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning says the state's campaign public funding laws most likely would be unconstitutional in light of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
Abbott alleges diluted gasoline
Abbott HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott filed a lawsuit Thursday against a petroleum company for allegedly defrauding customers by diluting medium and premium grade gasoline with regular unleaded fuel.
Temporary ban for N.C. credit repair company
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced on Wednesday that a a Raleigh, N.C., credit repair company that allegedly used false police reports has been temporarily barred from offering credit repair services.
Gansler orders builder to pay refunds
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced on Wednesday that his Consumer Protection Division issued a final order requiring a home builder and its principal to refund payments and pay penalties.
Environmental justice agreement over-regulates, critic says
Jackson An Aug. 4 agreement among federal agencies to provide environmental justice to communities overburdened by pollution is merely another attempt to over-regulate and control the free-market, opponents say.
Cuccinelli to campaign for Ky. AG candidate
P'Pool FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli will be campaigning alongside Todd P'Pool, the Republican candidate for Kentucky attorney general, next month.