News from August 2011
N.J. SC says league is a public agency
Albin TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) -- The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the state's League of Municipalities is a "public agency" under the Open Public Records Act and must provide access to government records that are not subject to an exception.
Ind. AG pursues out-of-state foreclosure consultants
Zoeller VALPARAISO, Ind. (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a lawsuit Wednesday against two out-of-state credit service and foreclosure consultant companies that allegedly operated illegally in Indiana.
Ill. drug testing firm to pay restitution
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan obtained a judgment on Tuesday against a Chicago contractor that allegedly billed the state for drug tests it never performed.
Fla. AG settles with hurricane shelter company
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a settlement on Wednesday with a hurricane shelter company and its principal for nearly $790,000.
Schneiderman removed from mortgage deal committee
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has been removed from an executive committee negotiating a nationwide foreclosure settlement with the country's top lenders.
Philadelphia's Anapol Schwartz takes on NFL
Former Bears' and Eagles' QB Jim McMahon PHILADELPHIA - It seems the Eagles aren't the only team in town ready for some NFL action. The lawyers of Anapol, Schwartz, Weiss, Cohan, Feldman and Smalley have taken on the National Football League in federal court.
KBR wants attorneys fees from woman who claimed rape
Jones HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - A former subsidiary of Halliburton wants Jamie Leigh Jones, the woman who alleged the company caused her gang-rape, to pay the attorneys fees it incurred defending itself against the lawsuit.
Nearly half of $154M settlement going to Texas
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Wednesday that the state will receive nearly $72 million as part of a multi-state settlement with Par Pharmaceutical Inc.
McGraw settlement yields $300K in cancelled debts
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced Wednesday that his office has reached a settlement with Internet payday lender Government Employees Credit Center and collection agency P.D. Recovery.
Public unions should be curbed, says right to work defender
La Jeunesse Should public sector unions be curbed? Is it time to end the ability of governmental employees to form unions?
Pa. AG settles over company's no-refund policy
Kelly HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly announced an assurance of voluntary compliance on Monday with American Laser Skincare to resolve allegations over a no-refund policy.
Fla. SC nixes governor's executive order
Scott TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The Florida Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, said an executive order issued by Gov. Rick Scott "impermissibly" suspended agency rulemaking.
GOP challenger proposes four debates with AG Hood
Simpson JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Steve Simpson, the Republican candidate for Mississippi attorney general, has reaffirmed his challenge to incumbent Jim Hood to participate in four debates before the November election.
Minn. AG reaches settlement with national propane company
Swanson SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson announced a $450,000 settlement on Tuesday with a large national propane energy company.
Coakley says housing community bullied residents
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the owners of a Cape Cod, Mass., manufactured housing community for allegedly intimidating residents with exorbitant membership fees.
Madigan alleges dumping violations
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit on Monday against the owners of a rural Murphysboro, Ill., business for alleged open dumping violations.
Senator endorses La. AG's re-election effort
Caldwell BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Sen. David Vitter last week endorsed Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell for reelection.
Railroad makes argument against asbestos lawyers' appeal
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Central Railroad says the appeal of two Mississippi asbestos attorneys found to have committed fraud is not supported by any facts or laws.
Wis. justice not recusing self from campaign issue
Prosser MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser is claiming he can be "completely impartial" in a case regarding a controversial campaign advertising rule.
Calif. AG files mortgage fraud lawsuit
Harris SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris announced a lawsuit Thursday against multiple entities that allegedly took part in mortgage fraud with thousands of homeowners.