News from July 2011
States file another amicus brief against ObamaCare
Abbott ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and attorneys general from 20 other states on Monday filed an amicus brief challenging the constitutionality of President Barack Obama's federal health care law.
Online retailers can challenge new Calif. sales tax law
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris says online retailers, like Amazon.com, can start to gather signatures to challenge a new law that requires more of them to collect sales tax from California customers.
Obama, Cordray were co-defendants in prisoner's lawsuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Now co-workers, President Barack Obama and former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray were once co-defendants.
McGraw alerted to roll-your-own cigarettes
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Department of Administration has alerted Attorney General Darrell McGraw to what it calls an "apparently new phenomena" of roll-your-own cigarette machines in tobacco stores in the state.
Madigan sues over alleged advertising scam
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against a central Illinois woman for allegedly scamming consumers and businesses out of at least $17,000 for advertisements in fictitious magazines.
Wis. SC says Nissan properly dismissed from class action
Roggensack MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - In a review of an appeals court decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court says Japan-based Nissan Motor Co. was "properly dismissed" as a defendant in a class-action lawsuit.
Grain company ordered to pay $100K
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Secretary Ben Brancel announced a $100,000 judgment on Friday against a grain company and its owner over alleged state grain security law violations.
Connecticut settles with power plant
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced on Friday that his office and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have reached a settlement with the company in charge of a Wallingford, Conn., power plant.
Ore. SC affirms $9M ruling against insurance companies
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - The Oregon Supreme Court, in a ruling earlier this month, reaffirmed its opinion upholding a nearly $9 million verdict against a group of insurance companies.
Thirteen up for job on Missouri Supreme Court
Wolff JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Thirteen applicants, including six current judges, will be interviewed by the Missouri Appellate Judicial Commission for a spot on the state Supreme Court.
RICO claims against BP dismissed
Barbier NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier has issued an order dismissing claims brought under the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act against BP and its partners for their involvement in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Report: Wash. AG, immigration advisor reach agreement
McKenna OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna says a Blaine, Wash.-based immigration advisor has agreed to change his business practices and pay legal costs in response to a civil suit.
Obama picks former Ohio AG for key post
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - President Barack Obama has reportedly chosen former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray as director of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Bickering continues on Wis. Supreme Court
Roggensack MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - The Wisconsin Supreme Court, already mired in a controversy over an alleged attack, is split on when a justice should be disqualified from hearing a case.
N.J. SC: Employees can be liable under Consumer Fraud Act
Hoens TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The New Jersey Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling last week, held that employees and officers of a corporation may be individually liable under the state's Consumer Fraud Act for acts they undertake through the corporate entity.
Iowa AG reaches agreement with rental car company
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced a formal agreement on Thursday with a car rental company to disclose Iowa's state rental car tax in its online quotes.
Feds back up N.Y. AG's view on nuclear plant
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a significant federal ruling Friday in an effort to improve a Buchanan, N.Y., power plant's accident preparedness.
W.Va. AG sues Calif. company over mortgage modification
McGraw CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced on Thursday that his office has taken action against a California-based company for alleged fraudulent loan modification claims.
Business court closer to becoming reality in West Virginia
Thompson CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has taken a significant step towards creating a business court in the state.
County not immune from wrongful death claim
Kitchens JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - The Mississippi Supreme Court has dismissed a county's appeal in a wrongful death case involving an escaped prisoner.