News from October 2011
Judge rejects Countrywide discrimination class action
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - A request to give class action status in a lawsuit against Countrywide Bank was rejected Oct. 13 by a federal judge in Kentucky.
Finalists picked for Colo. SC opening
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday received the names of three finalists to choose from to fill the vacancy on the state Supreme Court.
Bank ordered to repay $7M to Tulsa
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the Bank of Oklahoma must repay more than $7 million to the city of Tulsa.
Bondi suing used car dealership
Bondi TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a lawsuit on Tuesday against a used car dealership in Jacksonville for alleged violations of Florida's consumer protection law.
Food co-op ordered to dissolve
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Thursday that a food co-op formerly located in Avon has been ordered to dissolve after allegedly failing to properly respond to declining financial conditions.
Fla. transfers $45.6M to courts
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott has approved a $45.6 million loan so the state court system can continue to operate until spring.
Koster sues over underground tanks
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed suit on Friday against a Gentry County business for alleged violations of Missouri's Underground Storage Tank Law.
Wash. SC reverses summary judgment in med-mal case
Owens OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a summary judgment order in favor of a group of doctors and two hospitals accused of negligence.
Panel recommends suspending former Kan. AG's license
Kline TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - A panel for the Kansas Board for Discipline of Attorneys said Thursday that former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline should have his state law license suspended indefinitely.
Report: N.M. AG defends contribution from N.Y. firm
King SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) - New Mexico Attorney General Gary King says a $15,000 campaign contribution from a New York law firm doesn't violate a new state law.
Texas AG asked about service fees
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - One Texas lawmaker wants to know if a retail establishment, like a fast food restaurant, can legally charge an itemized "service fee" or offer a cash discount on a consumer transaction.
Holder urged to investigate debit card fees
Holder WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Members of the House on Thursday called on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate whether big banks are coordinating their fee strategies in violation of federal antitrust laws.
Report: Reform the goal of mortgage investigation
Miller WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The state attorneys general who are negotiating a settlement with the nation's top five mortgage servicers apparently aren't stopping there.
Coalition wants AGs to probe Google
Lynch WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A coalition of businesses and organizations is asking all 50 state attorneys general to investigate search engine giant Google for possible antitrust violations.
Gansler settles with steel mill
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced an agreement on Thursday with the new owner of the Sparrows Point steel mill to resolve alleged violations of the state's air pollution control laws.
Gansler issues order against investment firm
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler's Securities Division has issued a summary cease and desist and order to show cause on Wednesday against an investment firm and its owner.
Van Hollen wins case against property owners
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a judgment on Thursday against two Delafield property owners who allegedly violated state construction laws related to the environment.
Feds side with plaintiffs attorneys in preemption dispute
Chief Justice John Roberts WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A case before the U.S. Supreme Court that is drawing attention from several groups will determine if plaintiffs attorneys have a new industry to attack in asbestos lawsuits.
ABA president says shrinking court budgets could hurt
Robinson LEXINGTON, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - Newly elected American Bar Association President Wm. T. Robinson III says the continued slashing of state court budgets means justice may be denied to those who need it most.
Banks, AGs meeting in Washington for settlement talks
Miller WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A spokesman for Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, who is leading the ongoing settlement talks with the nation's top mortgage servicers, says the attorneys general and their federal partners are "getting closer" to a deal.