News from June 2011
Dow seeks restitution for towing customers
Dow NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow and the state Division of Consumer Affairs announced a lawsuit on Tuesday against an Irvington-based towing company and its owner.
Paralyzed man loses suit against Rhode Island
Kilmartin PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced Monday that a state jury found in favor of the State in a case of a man who was paralyzed from the neck down after diving into a state park pond.
Abbott files opening brief in tailpipe challenge
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced on Monday that the state of Texas has filed an opening brief in a challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency's Tailpipe Rule on the behalf of nine states.
Conn. AG settles with vacuum cleaner company
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and the Department of Consumer Protection announced a settlement on Monday with a vacuum cleaner company over allegedly high-pressure sales tactics.
Judge again asked to recuse self from case over Ecuador judgment
Kaplan NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A group of Ecuadorian plaintiffs, in court filings late last week, is seeking to stop oil giant Chevron Corp. from conducting discovery for a coming trial in November and is again asking for a federal judge's removal from the case.
Suthers settles with Office Depot
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced on Monday that his office has reached an agreement with Office Depot to resolve allegations that it overbilled government and nonprofit entities.
Arguments held over Wis. budget bill
Sumi MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - The Wisconsin Supreme Court listened to oral arguments Monday morning in the ongoing legal challenge to Gov. Scott Walker's controversial Budget Repair Bill.
Iowa AG goes after contractor
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) -- The Iowa Attorney General's Office filed a lawsuit this week against a contracting company for failing to comply with a prior voluntary legal agreement made with the office.
Wash. SC upholds ruling in sewer plant collapse
Chambers OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) -- The Washington State Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, upheld a trial court's conclusion that there was no "independent intervening cause" that superseded the negligence of an engineering firm at the center of a sewage treatment plant collapse.
Iowa AG files suit against for-profit fundraising company
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller filed a lawsuit on Friday against a for-profit disabilities fundraising company that allegedly lied in soliciting funds.
S.D. SupCo tells judge who called police 'racists' to retire
Fuller PIERRE, S.D. (Legal Newsline) -- The South Dakota Supreme Court has ordered a circuit court judge to retire after he admittedly referred to city police officers as a "bunch of racists" during a proceeding last year.
Ore. SC upholds $8M judgment against insurers
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) -- The Oregon Supreme Court has upheld an $8 million judgment in a class-action lawsuit against a group of insurance companies.
Kan. SC rules on retaliatory discharge claims
Biles TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - The Kansas Supreme Court last week ruled that a lawsuit may be brought against an employer for retaliatory discharge when an employee claims he or she was fired for filing a claim under the state's Wage Payment Act.
Installer not liable for garage door injury
Saufley AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) - The Maine Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, upheld the judgment of a jury determining the installer of an overhead garage door was not liable for a man's injuries.
Jepsen disappointed with regulators' decision
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced Wednesday that he was "disappointed" that state utility regulators claimed no legal authority to review a merger of two utility companies.
Wash. AG, deed company reach agreement
McKenna SPOKANE, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna announced on Wednesday that his office has reached a settlement with a deed company that allegedly sent out notices to Washington residents requesting money.
Minn. AG asks utilities board for action
Swanson SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Wednesday to suspend a Texas-based energy company's tiered pricing program pending further study.
Idaho store not responsible for sidewalk
Jones BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - The Idaho Supreme Court ruled Friday that a shopping center tenant did not owe its shoppers a duty to keep a sidewalk reasonably safe when the sidewalk was not part of its leased premises.
No intervention needed from Wis. SC, Dane County DA argues
Walker MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne said Wednesday the Wisconsin Supreme Court no longer needs to intervene in the ongoing legal challenge over Gov. Scott Walker's controversial Budget Repair Bill.
Class action cy pres awards give judges a slush fund, critic argues
Judge Richard Posner calls cy pres awards "purely punitive." The use of unclaimed funds from class action settlements to fund non-profit organizations is a common legal practice.