News from March 2011
Ark AG: Roofer used funds to buy Bieber tickets
McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced on Monday that he has filed a lawsuit against a roofing company that allegedly defrauded state consumers out of $250,000 through a Ponzi scheme.
Wasden, Par settle AWP suit for $1.7M
Wasden BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced on Tuesday that he has reached a $1.7 million settlement with a drug manufacturer that allegedly violated the Idaho Consumer Protection Act.
Calif. AG questions utility board's decision
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris is among those criticizing the state Public Utilities Commission's plan to cut PG&E's fine for failing to submit pipeline safety documents to state regulators.
Van Hollen's motion denied in Wis. budget issue
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin's 4th District Court of Appeals, in an order Tuesday, denied a motion by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen that asked permission to withdraw his pending petition for leave to appeal a temporary restraining order.
Calif. tort reform bill voted down by committee
Halderman SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A bill that would have limited plaintiffs' rights to punitive damages was recently shot down by the California Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Ill. judge hears arguments on asbestos standing order
Crowder EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, heir to the biggest asbestos docket of any state court in the nation, must decide the future dimensions of her docket.
LSU law chancellor will pick judges for oil spill fund appeals
Feinberg NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Kenneth Feinberg has appointed Louisiana State University law professor Jack Weiss to pick a group of judges who will hear "limited appeals" on claims denied by the Gulf Coast Claims Facility.
Wis. AG follows up on more than 60 complaints
Van Hollen MADSION, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen filed a lawsuit on Monday against First American Funding Company LLC of Columbus, Wis., for violations of the state's Direct Marketing and No-Call laws.
La. AG sends opinion to New Orleans
Caldwell NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, in an opinion released last week, said the city of New Orleans cannot claim any excess revenue made by the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad for its own use.
Gansler, Biden concerned with mobile phone apps
Biden BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler and Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden want to ban smartphone applications that notify drunk drivers of law-enforcement checkpoints.
Three pharma companies settle pricing suits in Wisconsin
Van Hollen MADSION, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has reached a $4.2 million settlement agreement with three of the 36 pharmaceutical manufacturers charged with defrauding the state's Medicaid Program.
Restaurant group settles with Mass. AG
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Monday that her office has reached a $110,000 settlement with a restaurant group that allegedly failed to protect patrons' personal information.
Nuclear plant's fire safety the latest issue for Schneiderman
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a petition on Monday with the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission stressing urging action against the Indian Point nuclear power plant.
Conn. AG keeps eye on Borders closings
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen has warned consumers that, in addition to six previously announced store closures, two more Borders retail stores in Connecticut will close by April 30.
Bondi, foreclosure firm settle for $2M
Bondi TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced last week her office has settled an investigation into one of the state's largest foreclosure firms.
Mich. AG requests rate hearing
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed a petition for a rate hearing with the state Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation, opposing a proposed 12.5 percent rate increase for Medigap subscribers.
Ohio, Wisconsin considering Google probes
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- Search engine giant Google Inc. could be looking at more antitrust probes -- this time in Ohio and Wisconsin.
N.Y. AG studying rising gas prices
Schneiderman ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) -- New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says his office is conducting a comprehensive review of the rising cost of gas in Central New York and the state's Southern Tier.
Unions give their thoughts on Wis. debate
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin labor unions, targeted by Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining bill, say a decision whether to keep in place a temporary restraining order put on the bill last week will have a "profound" impact on their members.
Idaho SC weighs in on water dispute
Eismann BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - The Idaho Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision last week, upheld a lower court's judgment protecting senior decreed water rights in the state's Thousand Springs region.