News from November 2011
First lawsuit filed against Penn State in child molestation case
Anderson PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The first civil action arising out of the Pennsylvania State University child sex-abuse scandal has been filed in state court.
Chevron seeks prejudgment attachment in RICO case
Kaplan NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Chevron Corp. on Tuesday filed a motion for attachment, seeking to prevent the Ecuadorian plaintiffs suing the company from collecting any monies based on what it describes as a "fraudulent judgment that they have obtained through collusion with a corrupt Ecuadorian court."
Mich. SC approves most of new tax law
Markman LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - The Michigan Supreme Court earlier this month approved most of Gov. Rick Snyder's controversial plan to tax pensions.
Ohio AG warns of Medicare scam
DeWine COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine warned Ohioans on Wednesday to beware of callers who pretend to be from Medicare asking for personal information.
Mass. motorcycle owners to receive an additional $5.6 million in insurance refunds
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Tuesday that more than $5.6 million in additional insurance refunds are headed back to Massachusetts motorcycle owners.
N.J. alternative energy co. to pay over fraud allegations
Dow NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow announced a summary order on Wednesday against a purported alternative energy company and its chief executive over allegations of fraud.
Vt. high court: State Police can be sued for mistake
Dooley MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - The Vermont Supreme Court said last week a lower court erred in dismissing a plaintiff's claim of gross negligence against two State Police troopers who went to the wrong house when asked to do a welfare check of an elderly woman.
NLRB rules against SEIU, employee prevails in dues complaint
Semmens SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A respiratory care practitioner at Sutter Roseville Medical Center has won a settlement against a statewide union over charges it coerced employees into paying forced union dues.
Report: Iowa AG trying to get Calif. to rejoin bank talks
Harris DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Sources say Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, who is heading up the ongoing talks with banks over their mortgage foreclosure practices, is trying to convince California Attorney General Kamala Harris to return to the negotiating table.
FDA appeals injunction in cigarette warning label case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Food and Drug Administration is appealing a federal judge's decision to grant tobacco companies a preliminary injunction against new graphic warning labels.
N.M. AG to again push for foreclosure protection bill
King LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Legal Newsline) - New Mexico Attorney General Gary King last week pledged to again bring a law before the state Legislature that would help protect homeowners facing foreclosure.
Pa. legislator modifies venue reform bill, says trial lawyers prompted change
Cutler HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Pennsylvania state legislator who introduced legislation to prevent venue shopping has changed his bill.
State AGs to co-host GOP presidential forum
Bondi WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt all are expected to co-host a Republican presidential candidate forum this weekend.
Watchdog, state AGs target Four Loko agreement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A self-described "alcohol industry watchdog" has come out against a settlement agreement the Federal Trade Commission reached last month with the marketers of Four Loko.
Koster obtains TRO in clean water case
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Monday that his office has obtained a temporary restraining order against a Lawrence County compost business and its owners for alleged clean water violations.
Kan. AG settles case over allegedly dumped info
Schmidt TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced a settlement on Tuesday with a company that allegedly left thousands of sensitive employee records in an open dumpster in a Wichita alley.
Group wants Kagan, Thomas to explain recusal decision
Kagan WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The group Justice at Stake is urging U.S. Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Clarence Thomas to give a public explanation as to why they are not recusing themselves from the federal health care case.
W.Va. firm's class action sent to Minn. court
Brian Glasser MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit filed by a West Virginia law firm will be remanded to a Minnesota state court.
DOL recovers nearly $8 million in back pay
Solis SILVER SPRING, Md. (Legal Newsline) - The Department of Labor announced last week that it recovered $7,968,744 in back wages, fringe benefits and 401(k) plan assets for more than 2,000 security guards formerly employed by USProtect Corp.
NLRB schedules vote on controversial policy
Cohen WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The National Labor Relations Board has scheduled a Wednesday vote on a controversial policy to permit changing workplace election rules regarding votes on union representation.