News from May 2011
Report: Assistant Fla. AG fired
Bondi TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The Florida Attorney General's Office has reportedly fired one of its assistant attorneys general for her alleged involvement in a so-called "foreclosure mill."
Coakley concerned with new Conn. tax
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massaschusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley says she fears a new energy tax in Connecticut could mean higher rates throughout the entire New England region.
D.C. AG says antitrust suit against gas station is possible
Nathan WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - District of Columbia Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan says his office is looking into the city's largest gas station owner.
Nevada hospital must produce documents
Douglas CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - The Nevada Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, denied a hospital's petition for a writ of mandamus directing a district court to change its order requiring it to produce requested documents.
Mich. AG suing Civil Service Commission over health benfits
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced last week that his office has filed a lawsuit against the state's Civil Service Commission.
Tenn. Bar's ethics chair says letters from asbestos attorneys crossed line
Faughnan MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - The chairman of the Tennessee Bar Association's ethics committee says letters sent from asbestos attorneys to potential witnesses asking them not to speak with defense lawyers appear to be a violation of ethics rules.
Statute of limitations not tolled in smoker's case
Kennard SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The California Supreme Court says two physical injuries can, in some circumstances, be considered "qualitatively different" for purposes of determining when the applicable statute of limitations period begins to run.
Alaska SC revives wrongful termination case
Stowers JUNEAU, Alaska (Legal Newsline) - The Alaska Supreme Court has reversed the decision of a lower court in a wrongful termination case.
W.Va. AG using Ala. decision in fight with feds
McGraw RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw is using a recent decision against the federal Medicaid agency to support his argument while he attempts to avoid causing a hole in his state's budget.
N.J. gov again picks Patterson for supreme court
Christie TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie recently nominated attorney Anne Murray Patterson to the state Supreme Court.
Assistant AG could replace Iowa Supreme Court appointee
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - An assistant attorney general is one of three candidates to fill an open spot on the Iowa Court of Appeals.
Fla. AG sues JLF University
Bondi TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Tuesday that her office has sued a Miramar, Fla.-based university for allegedly defrauding medical and nursing students.
Metals company pays New Jersey, former employee
Dow TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow announced a settlement on Wednesday between an Essex County metals company and a former employee who alleged retaliation over taking time off.
Kroger settles with biotechnology firm
Kroger SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announces on Wednesday that his office has reached a $167,000 settlement with a biotechnology firm over allegedly unlawful marketing practices.
Judge on Chevron's racketeering case won't step down
Kaplan NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge, in a memorandum opinion filed Monday, has refused to recuse himself from Chevron Corp.'s racketeering lawsuit involving a multibillion-dollar lawsuit against it in Ecuador.
Dem. appointees deciding Va. AG's ObamaCare suit
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Two relative newcomers to a federal appeals court are on the three-judge panel deciding Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's challenge to federal health care reform.
Texas AG's lawsuit leads to recall of diet pills
Abbott WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday that Georgia-based Multi-Mex Distributor Inc. is recalling dietary supplements that may be labeled as antibiotic drugs.
Shareholders file suit over coal merger
WINFIELD, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The plaintiffs in a potential class-action lawsuit allege a coal company's board of directors has breached its fiduciary duties to its shareholders in merging with another coal company.
'Loser pays' bill passes Texas House in emergency session
Perry AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - In an emergency session on Saturday, the Texas House of Representatives passed a "loser pays" bill that could change who pays legal fees in certain civil lawsuits.
La. lawmakers propose new BP oil spill legislation
Connick NEW ORLENAS (Legal Newsline) - Several proposed new laws in Louisiana's legislature would make it easier for Louisiana residents to sue BP, eliminating filing deadlines and retroactively nullifying settlement agreements.