News from March 2011
Another AG worried about nuclear risks
Coakley BOSTON (Leagl Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley and state Senate President Therese Murray have called for U.S. regulators to turn a critical eye on the Pilgrim and Vermont Yankee nuclear reactors in light of the potential meltdown in Japan.
Arguments heard over jurisdictional debate in McGraw case
McGraw RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Six prescription drug retailers made their case to a federal appellate court Tuesday that West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw has filed a class action lawsuit against them.
Wis. SC race could have lasting effect
Prosser MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser is facing a stiff challenge from Assistant Attorney General JoAnne F. Kloppenburg for his seat on the high court.
Texas lawmakers file 'loser pays' bills in House, Senate
Huffman AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Following the lead of Texas Gov. Rick Perry in support of a loser pays tort reform initiative, two state legislators have filed bills that could make the reforms a reality.
Ala. AG: Oil spill claimants 'reduced to begging for handouts'
Strange NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said his state "has reached a boiling point" in a letter he wrote to Kenneth Feinberg criticizing the Gulf Coast Claim Facility.
Acting gov doesn't deserve office's perks, W.Va. lawyer argues
Tomblin CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - New Martinsville lawyer H. John Rogers, in a filing received by the West Virginia Supreme Court on Friday, says Acting Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin shouldn't draw a governor's salary or receive other perks of the office.
Zoeller suing former library director
Zoeller INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced on Tuesday that he has filed a lawsuit against the former director of the East Chicago Public Library for more than $12,000 in expenses.
Donziger requests argument, rails against Chevron
Donziger NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York City-based plaintiffs' lawyer Steven Donziger, in a filing Monday, is requesting an oral argument on Chevron Corp.'s recent motion for a separate and expedited trial.
N.Y. AG pressuring EPA on air pollution rule
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has requested that the Environmental Protection Agency implement a rule that he says would slash the amount of air pollution currently allowed to cross state lines.
Miss. Bar dismisses Zach Scruggs' complaint
Farese JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A complaint made by the son of disgraced plaintiffs attorney Richard "Dickie" Scruggs about his lawyer's role in his guilty plea has been dismissed by the Mississippi Bar Association.
Wis. AG will appeal TRO on budget
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said on Friday his office will appeal the temporary restraining order issued by Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi on Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining bill.
N.Y. AG concerned with nuclear plant
Schneiderman ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - In the wake of the unfolding nuclear crisis in Japan, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is calling on the federal government to assess any safety risks posed by the Indian Point Power Plant.
McGraw wins case against debt settlement company
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A West Virginia judge has permanently enjoined Illinois attorney Robert K. Lock Jr. and New York lawyer Philip M. Manger and their company, Credit Collections Defense Network LLC, from doing business in the state.
Schneiderman's securities division has new leader
Schneiderman ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has appointed Marc B. Minor to serve as chief of the attorney general's Investor Protection Bureau.
Ill. court weighing asbestos conspiracy and 'take home' verdicts out of Bloomington
Knecht SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Defendants say they will appeal a recent McLean County jury's $90 million verdict in an asbestos conspiracy trial, but for practical purposes they already did.
Former loan officer settles with Mass. AG
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Friday that she has reached a settlement agreement with a former loan officer who allegedly violated foreclosure rescue regulations in the state.
Kroger, law firm reach agreement
Kroger SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced on Thursday that he has reached a $70,000 settlement with a law firm that allegedly engaged in unscrupulous debt collection practices.
Iowa AG settles with Calif. company
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced on Monday that he has reached an agreement with a deed supply company that allegedly falsely alerted homeowners that they needed to purchase a deed.
Ala. SC overturns summary judgment in premature baby case
Bolin MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - The Alabama Supreme Court has reversed a court's summary judgment ruling in favor of a pediatric opthalmologist who allegedly wrote incorrect information in an eye exam book about a premature baby's need for follow-up care.
Minn. SC: Restitution appropriate even if unrequested
Gildea ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - The Minnesota Supreme Court has upheld a lower court's ruling that a man must pay restitution even though his victim -- a popular mall clothing store -- did not request it.