News from September 2011
San Diego's attempt to tax online travel companies shot down
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California superior court last week rejected the city of San Diego's attempts to impose hotel occupancy taxes on online travel companies.
Lawsuit says NCAA owes players who suffered concussions
Siprut CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - A Chicago attorney has filed a class action lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association, alleging it isn't protecting football players and other student-athletes from sustaining concussions.
Pennsylvania judge rules against ObamaCare
Shapiro HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner declared that Congress exceeded its authority in passing a provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Neb. Dems claim AG hid ownership of vacation home
Bruning LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - The Nebraska Democratic Party is taking aim at state Attorney General Jon Bruning for his shared ownership of a pricey vacation home.
Minn. AG weighs in on nationwide foreclosure settlement
Swanson SAINT PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - In a letter sent to the attorneys general of New York and Iowa on Friday, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson said that banks shouldn't be protected from liability in connection with the nationwide foreclosure settlement.
N.Y. pharmacy pays $250K in restitution
Schneiderman ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Tuesday that a Rochester, N.Y.-based pharmacy has paid the state nearly $250,000 in restitution to resolve a Medicaid fraud case.
Drum company paying $81K in Wisconsin
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a judgment on Monday against a Milwaukee County, Wis., drum reclamation facility for alleged violations of state air pollution laws in 2008.
Pa. AG announces $49M in pharma settlements
Kelly HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly announced this week that more than $49 million has been recovered for three state agencies as part of a settlement between her office and drugmakers Aventis, Bayer, Schering and Pfizer.
Koster looking into tornado recovery fund
Koster JOPLIN, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster's office says it will review the use of a tornado recovery fund to help float a special 9/11 concert featuring country singer Travis Tritt.
Report: Coakley probing rep's campaign contributions
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley is reportedly investigating whether a state representative concealed the source of $50,000 in campaign contributions.
EPA rule forcing Texas energy company to lay-off workers
Campbell Texas-based energy company Luminant announced Monday that it needs to close facilities and lay-off about 500 people so that it can be in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Cross-State Air Pollution rule.
Franks calls out asbestos fraud in House hearing
Franks The practice of making duplicate claims from asbestos tort and trust systems was hammered by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) during a House subcommittee hearing Friday.
N.H. AG asks Legislature to block settlement
Delaney CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney wants state lawmakers to intervene and block a proposed settlement over $110 million of surplus money in a medical malpractice insurance fund.
Coakley pleased with nursing homes during storm
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Friday that the Medicaid Fraud Division has inspected nursing home facilities to ensure resident safety in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene.
Calif. AG tells GOP she won't question state budget
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris, in a letter last week, declined a request for an opinion by Republican lawmakers questioning whether the state's budget is constitutional.
Feds, 41 states settle with staffing agency
WASHINGTON D.C. (Legal Newsline) - A multistate settlement was announced on Monday with one of the nation's largest healthcare staffing agencies resolving allegations that it defrauded Medicaid and the Veterans Affairs benefits programs.
Mich. AG: Dispensary offered pot for votes
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced on Monday that a Lansing marijuana dispensary owner allegedly violated Michigan election law by offering free marijuana.
Va. AG's probe into climate change research stayed
Cuccinelli CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A Virginia circuit court judge has granted a stay by the University of Virginia in an ongoing probe of one of its former professor's climate research.
'Fracking' litigation trends discussed at conference
Bern PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Plaintiff and defense attorneys, insurance industry executives, government officials, community representatives, physicians and scientists gathered Friday for a conference on the latest issues related to hydraulic fracturing.
Risk not high enough for medical monitoring, Sixth Circuit rules
Boggs CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit last week upheld a district court's decision to grant summary judgment to CSX Transportation in a medical monitoring class action.