News from January 2011
Oregon opts out of class, sues Countrywide
Kroger SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced on Wednesday that he is suing Countrywide Financial Corp. over alleged false statements it filed to inflate the company's assets.
Obama up for discussing med-mal reform
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - President Barack Obama, in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, said he would consider medical malpractice reform to rein in the growing number of frivolous lawsuits.
Cooper suit nets $4.5M in civil penalties
Cooper RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday that he has halted the operation of a telemarketer that was allegedly misleading customers about auto warranties.
Default judgment entered for N.C. AG
Cooper RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced on Wednesday that he has halted the operations of a foreclosure assistance company that allegedly charged for services it never delivered.
W.Va. AG files suit against DirectBuy
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Attorney General Darrell McGraw has filed a suit against DirectBuy over its high-pressure sales practices.
No full review ordered in asbestos firm's fraud case
Peirce RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has denied a Pittsburgh asbestos law firm's request for a full rehearing of an issue in the fraud case against it.
Calif. SC upholds firefighter layoffs
Kennard SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The California Supreme Court has ruled that a city's refusal to bargain with a firefighters union over its layoff decision does not violate state law.
Ariz. courts have no jurisdiction over Calif. defendants
Hurwitz PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - The Arizona Supreme Court has upheld a lower court judgment dismissing claims against a California corporation, Integrated Resources, and its CEO, saying it lacks jurisdiction over them.
Mich. case against Bear Sterns continues
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced on Wednesday that a national class action securities fraud lawsuit against Bear Stearns will go forward with the state of Michigan serving as lead plaintiff.
Ill. SC puts Emanuel back on ballot while deciding candidacy
Emanuel SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Supreme Court Justices put former White House staff chief Rahm Emanuel back on the ballot for Chicago mayor but haven't decided whether he can run.
D.C. court tosses former Congressman's lawsuit
Grayson WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The District of Columbia's highest court has rejected two lawsuits that some claimed would have expanded the ability of citizens to file consumer protection lawsuits.
Ala. hospital has immunity in $3.2M case
Bolin MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - The Alabama Supreme Court has vacated a $3.2 million wrongful death jury award in a medical malpractice lawsuit against a Montgomery-area hospital.
Schneiderman sues snow plower
Schneiderman BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday that he has filed a lawsuit against a snow plowing company that allegedly took money for snow removal services that were never performed.
Madigan seeks penalty against contractor
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that she has filed a lawsuit against a contractor who allegedly violated state law.
Another probe of Okla. contract requested
Pruitt OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - A third review of the process used to award a $10 million-a-year contract for new juvenile centers in Oklahoma has been requested, according to reports.
Obama picks new solicitor general
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - President Barack Obama announced on Monday he plans to nominate Donald B. Verrilli for Solicitor General.
School boards to sue Okla. AG over law
Pruitt TULSA, Okla. (Legal Newsline) - Four Oklahoma school boards voted on Monday to sue the state's new attorney general, Scott Pruitt, over a law that uses taxpayer money to send disabled students to private schools.
Durbin: Credit card issuers 'already' passing on fees to consumers
Durbin CHICAGO - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's amendment to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was meant to protect consumers and businesses from excessive credit card fees.
Vacation postpones dispute over W.Va. AG's settlement
McGraw RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A family vacation has apparently pushed oral arguments in West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw's dispute with the federal Medicaid agency back at least two months.
New R.I. AG opposes rate increase
Kilmartin PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced on Friday that he believes a proposed rate increase by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island should be denied.