News from November 2011
Judgment granted for Wis. AG in case against restaurant
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a judgment on Tuesday against a restaurant located near Wisconsin Dells and its owners for alleged violations of the state's safe drinking water act.
Poll: Americans want U.S. SC to rule against ObamaCare
Obama HAMDEN, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - A majority of American voters say the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn President Barack Obama's health care law, according to a new poll.
Panel picks holes in class action process
Kavanaugh WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Law professors, attorneys and the head of one non-profit seemed to agree at a panel held earlier this month that much of the problems with class action settlements could be resolved, or at least improved, through procedural changes.
W.Va. AG's win in class action dispute will stand
McGraw WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear the appeal of a group of drug stores that claimed West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw had filed a class action lawsuit against it.
N.D. AG says MoneyPak cards are subject of scam
Stenehjem BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem warned consumers on Monday about a new twist to wire fraud and advance fee scams involving reloadable prepaid cards, such as the Green Dot MoneyPak cards.
Contractor cited for improper asbestos handling
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced an order on Wednesday against an Oshkosh-based development company and a contractor for alleged violations of state laws regarding the proper handling of asbestos.
Coakley settlement worth $52 million
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $52 million settlement on Monday with RBS Financial Products Inc. to settle allegations that it financed, purchased and securitized presumptively unfair residential loans.
Texas AG challenges redistricting plan
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott says he plans to file an emergency stay with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday challenging redistricting maps drawn by a panel of federal judges in San Antonio.
W.Va. still 'fertile ground' for asbestos cases
Heath CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A recent report by the Mesothelioma Center highlights West Virginia's reputation as "fertile ground for asbestos litigation."
Alaska AG resigns
Burns JUNEAU, Alaska (Legal Newsline) - Alaska Attorney General John J. Burns has stepped down, according to Gov. Sean Parnell's office.
Kan. AG urges FCC to block AT&T's T-Mobile acquisition
Schmidt TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has urged the Federal Communications Commission to block AT&T's proposed acquisition of T-Mobile.
Conn. AG commends providers for storm credits
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Attorney General George Jepsen commended cable, satellite television and telecommunications companies Tuesday that have provided storm-related credits to Connecticut customers that, in many cases, exceed what the law and their service contracts required.
Mass. contractor pays $75,000 for misleading solicitations
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced an agreement Wednesday with a utility repair contractor that allegedly sent more than 900,000 misleading solicitations and renewal notices to Massachusetts National Grid customers.
Worker files complaint against Teamsters
Semmens DENVER (Legal Newsline) - A non-union Interstate Bakeries employee who claims the Teamsters union discriminated against him over his non-participation, is asking for a court's help.
ABA wants immunity for lawyers representing public entities
Rotunda WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The American Bar Association filed an amicus brief Monday with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging it to find that private lawyers representing public agencies are entitled to increased immunity from lawsuits.
Settlement will clean up Buffalo plaza
Schneiderman BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday that the Brooklyn-based owners of Buffalo's Central Park Plaza agreed to a settlement to clean up the property.
Maine AG settles over acai supplements
Schneider AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) - Maine Attorney General William Schneider announced an agreement on Monday with four Maine acai supplement companies and their managers to settle allegations of unfair trade practices.
Coakley settles with two finance companies
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Monday that her office has settled with two premium finance companies that allegedly facilitated a scheme orchestrated by the Peabody-based Kilgore Insurance Agency.
Halliburton wants oil spill judge to disqualify engineer for 'switching sides'
Barbier NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Halliburton Energy Services Inc. claims an employee who helped develop strategy for litigation over the Deepwater Horizon explosion quit his job and joined a firm that helps rig operator BP develop an opposing strategy.
W.Va. court can sanction insurer
Davis CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court says a trial court does have the authority to sanction an insurance carrier that fails to appear at court-ordered mediation.