News from January 2011
Lawsuit filed against Rich Rod days before bowl loss
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A Weirton, W.Va. attorney is suing former West Virginia University and newly fired Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez over problems with the purchase of the coach's Morgantown home.
Blumenthal urges wind farm regulations
Blumenthal HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Richard Blumenthal, in what appears to be his final statement as Connecticut's attorney general, says the state must develop standards to regulate wind farm developments.
Vermont AG announces $80K order
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell announced on Wednesday that the Stratton Corporation and the Winhall-Stratton Fire District have been ordered to pay $80,000 for allegedly violating environmental permits.
W.Va. SC to hear arguments over gubernatorial election
Tomblin CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments in the lawsuit over a possible gubernatorial special election for next week.
Kickapoo settlement worth $20K
Van Hollen WINNECONNE,Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced on Tuesday that a contractor has been ordered to pay $20,000 for allegedly causing environmental damage in the Kickapoo River.
Dental chain shutting its doors
Cuomo BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A New York-based dental chain has closed all 52 of its offices nationwide, citing financial problems.
N.C. gets $40K from telemarketer
Cooper RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced on Wednesday that a California telemarketing company must pay $40,000 for allegedly contacting people in North Carolina who were on the Do Not Call Registry.
Settlement with software company yields refunds
McKenna SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - A software company that sold programs to more than 19,000 Washington residents must offer refunds to some of those consumers as part of a settlement announced Tuesday by Attorney General Rob McKenna.
Iowa AG: Lenders will be first to settle foreclosure allegations
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller says the nation's five largest loan servicers will most likely be the first to settle a multi-state foreclosure investigation.
Settlement approved in DuPont case
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Harrison County Circuit Judge Thomas A. Bedell has approved a $70 million settlement in a case involving DuPont and its alleged contamination of a West Virginia community.
Canada school paying penalties in Vermont
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell announced on Tuesday that he has reached a settlement with a Canadian school that allegedly misrepresented that it was located in Vermont.
Restitution ordered for Colorado
Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced on Tuesday that a man who allegedly provided fraudulent foreclosure relief services will pay the state more than $180,000 in restitution.
Miller sues over hog manure
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced last week that he has filed a lawsuit against Callaway Farms for allegedly violating state environmental laws.
Nev. SC upholds $32M verdict against Goodyear
Gibbons CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - The Nevada Supreme Court last week refused to reconsider its decision to uphold a $32 million judgment against Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in a single-vehicle accident that killed three people.
McKenna proposes fix to public records disputes
McKenna OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna released on Monday his list of legislative proposals for 2011, including a pilot program that would allow members of the public to settle their public records disputes with government agencies.
Wis. gov gives go-ahead for health care challenge
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker authorized Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on Monday to proceed on behalf of the state with a legal challenge to President Barack Obama's health care reform act.
Kroger shuts down consignment business
Kroger SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced on Thursday that the Department of Justice has shut down a consignment business that allegedly engaged in questionable business practices.
Okla. AG approves of contract process
Edmondson OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office said in a letter issued last week that the process used to award a $10 million-a-year contract for new state juvenile centers does not appear to be compromised.
Craigslist wants judge to rethink suit against S.C. AG
McMaster COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) - Online classified website Craigslist wants a federal judge to reconsider dismissing its lawsuit against South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster.
Insurers paying $120M in New York
Cuomo ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Outgoing New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced that four insurance groups have agreed to pay nearly $120 million in excess funds to the state.