News from July 2011
Calif. council doles out court budget cuts
Cantil-Sakauye SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - At a public meeting Friday, the Judicial Council of California allocated a $350 million reduction in the state judicial branch's budget for fiscal year 2011-2012.
Attorney: Tort reform working in Mississippi
Behrens WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Tort reform in Mississippi has brought about a substantial improvement in the state's medical liability environment, according to a recent medical journal article.
McGraw resolves contempt petition against JK Harris
CHARLESTON, W. Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced a settlement Monday with a South Carolina tax resolution firm for victims of allegedly bogus tax compromise services.
Coakley testifies in support of her metal-stripping bill
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley testified Tuesday in support of Senate Bill 145, a bill that aims to address the illegal stripping and dealing of metal in the state.
Maine receives contract for tobacco compliance program
Schneider AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) - Maine Attorney General William Schneider announced an agreement on July 11 with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products to prevent the sale and distribution of tobacco to minors.
Cuccinelli settles with loan modification company
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli announced last Monday that his office has reached a settlement with a Virginia Beach, Va.-based mortgage loan modification company.
Miss. AG's tobacco payment suit goes to trial
Hood PASCAGOULA, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A county judge heard Monday a claim by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood that the State has received "substantially less" than it should have under a settlement agreement with tobacco company R.J. Reynolds.
Report: Liability releases holding up mortgage deal
Schneiderman WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A deal with the country's top mortgage servicers is reportedly being held up over liability releases.
Class action against J&J dismissed
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - A federal court last week dismissed a case against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson for allegedly concealing quality control problems and manufacturing defects.
Jepsen wants meeting with lenders
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen is looking to meet with four of the country's top lenders, concerned that their mortgage servicing falls short.
N.M. SC: Judge wrong to jail 32 courtroom spectators
Daniels SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) - The New Mexico Supreme Court said Tuesday a state district judge's mass jailing of 32 courtroom spectators for contempt was "an unlawful abuse of judicial power."
Miss. AG hopes GCCF audit is fair
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says he hopes an independent audit of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility is just that.
New Mexico SC: Judge wrong to jail courtroom spectators
SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) - The New Mexico Supreme Court said Tuesday a state district judge's mass jailing of 32 courtroom spectators for contempt was "an unlawful abuse of judicial power."
BP denied access to White House emails in oil spill litigation
Gasaway NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Magistrate Judge Sally Shushan has denied a request by BP attorneys to obtain emails sent by a former adviser to President Barack Obama during the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Poll: Faith in Wisconsin Supreme Court waning
Prosser WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Following an allegation of assault and a dispute over judicial recusal standards, the Wisconsin Supreme Court is suffering from an image problem, a new poll shows.
Conn. AG sorry Borders couldn't find a buyer
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen warned consumers that the Borders Group will begin going-out-of-business sales this week in its remaining stores in Connecticut, concluding them on or before Sept. 30.
Injunctive relief obtained in Tenn. AG's settlement
Cooper NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced on Friday that three family members who ran two Nashville furniture stores have agreed not to engage in illegal business practices.
Ky. AG to review proposed hospital merger
Conway LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - A planned merger between the University of Louisville Hospital and two private hospital companies will face a review from Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway.
Mo. AG files two suits against Joplin tornado fraud schemes
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced lawsuits on Thursday against an allegedly fraudulent charitable organization and a Georgia man who took advantage of the Joplin tornado.
Md. court upholds $73M judgment against actuarial firm
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler and State Treasurer Nancy Kopp announced a ruling on Wednesday upholding that an actuarial firm is liable to the state's retirement system.