News from January 2011
Judge strikes down ObamaCare in 'difficult decision'
Obama PENSACOLA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge in Florida has ruled that the mandate in President Barack Obama's health care reform law that requires individuals to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional.
HealthSouth founder loses $2.9B appeal
Scrushy MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - The Alabama Supreme Court has upheld a $2.9 billion civil verdict against the founder and former CEO of HealthSouth Corp. for accounting fraud.
Oil spill judge clarifies state counsel order
Strange NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge handling litigation against oil giant BP said he has not deprived states of their own counsel in clarifying a pre-trial order last week.
Group wants details from Google
Jepsen SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A consumer advocacy organization says the specifics of Google's Street View project must be made public.
Suthers forces tanning business to make audio recordings of sales
Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced on Monday that he has reached a $350,000 settlement with a tanning chain that allegedly misled customers in its contracts.
Dow sues blinds maker
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow announced on Monday that she has filed a lawsuit against a custom draperies and blinds maker for allegedly violating the state's Consumer Fraud Act and other state regulations.
AGs want New GM to continue mercury program
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Friday that she has joined attorneys general and agency heads from eight other states in asking General Motors to continue in a National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program.
Caldwell, Hood voice gripes in oil spill situation
Caldwell NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Two state attorneys general are complaining about the manner in which victims of the BP oil spill are being compensated.
Former Conn. AG lands spot on Senate Judiciary Committee
Blumenthal WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Former Connecticut Attorney General and now U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal is reportedly joining the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
Mich. AG suing Countrywide
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced on Friday that he filed a lawsuit against Countrywide Financial Corporation for allegedly engaging in a corporate fraud scheme.
Four AGs ready to defend new state laws
Wilson COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and three colleagues on Thursday replied to a threat of lawsuits from the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, saying they are prepared to defend recent amendments to their constitutions.
McKenna to talk about cyber protections
McKenna SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna will be one of the keynote speakers during the February meeting of the Messaging Anti-Abuse Working Group.
Coakley proposes foreclosure legislation
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Thursday that she has filed new legislation in an attempt to set standards and mandate loan modifications for banks to help fight the mortgage foreclosure crisis.
Pa. SC holds company's successor liable
Saylor HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the decision of a superior court on Monday, holding the successor to a fire truck maker liable for the accidental deployment of a hose that left one child dead and injured another.
New Ala. AG fires private firms handling BP case
Strange MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has fired the two plaintiffs' firms handling the state's lawsuit against oil giant BP and has named himself lead counsel, according to reports.
Trial lawyers upset with proposed med-mal reform
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A national trial lawyers group is railing against what they're calling an "extreme" medical malpractice reform bill that was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday.
Fourth Circuit expedites Virginia's health care challenge
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has sped up the so-far successful legal challenge of federal health care reform started by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.
Madigan sues air duct cleaner
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has filed a lawsuit against a Chicago-area air duct and vent cleaning company that allegedly failed to complete work it solicited.
Montana sues collection agency
Bullock HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) - Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock has filed a lawsuit to stop a collections agency that he says is demanding high collections fees for late fees and other charges from a now-defunct video rental chain.
Koster suing gas station
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has filed a lawsuit against a gas station that allegedly violated Missouri's Underground Storage Tank Law.