News from 2011
Magistrate wants explanation from rig workers invoking the Fifth
Miller NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Five Deepwater Horizon workers must explain how they can pursue personal injury claims against rig owner Transocean while they plead Fifth Amendment privilege against self incrimination, U.S. Magistrate Sally Shushan ruled on Sept. 27.
Verizon employee alleges union illegally seized dues
Mix NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Legal Newsline) - A Verizon employee has filed unfair labor practice charges against Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 2205 for actions the union allegedly took during a recent strike.
Ill. court says utility can't charge extra fee
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - An Illinois appellate court ruled last week that Peoples Gas cannot charge Chicago residents an extra fee to foot the bill for replacing old gas mains.
W.Va. high court says Pep Boys didn't violate federal law
Ketchum CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals last week upheld a circuit court's ruling in favor of a popular tire and auto parts chain.
Solyndra bankruptcy trustee proposes taking over if execs keep invoking Fifth
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - U.S. bankruptcy trustee Roberta DeAngelis proposes to take over management of solar panel maker Solyndra if its leaders keep pleading Fifth Amendment privilege against self incrimination.
Solyndra employed no union workers, according to bankruptcy petition
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - President Obama's former favorite green enterprise, solar panel maker Solyndra, employed as many union members as an aircraft plant he won't let Boeing build in South Carolina: zero.
N.J. AG unhappy with chimney cleaning company
Dow NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow and the state Division of Consumer Affairs announced a lawsuit on Monday against a chimney cleaning and repair company.
Ind. AG sues two out-of-state companies
Zoeller CROWN POINT, Ind. (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced lawsuits on Tuesday against two credit repair and foreclosure consultant companies for allegedly taking advantage of Lake County consumers.
Miss. SC overturns sanctions against med-mal plaintiff
Lamar JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - The Mississippi Supreme Court ruled last week that a trial court erred in dismissing a man's second medical malpractice claim against a doctor and hospital.
Okla. AG stumps for pipeline in letter to Clinton
Pruitt OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt on Friday expressed his support for the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline.
Sixth Circuit rules for defendant in asbestos suit
Batchelder CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has rejected the theory that each and every exposure to asbestos a person experiences significantly contributes to his or her chances of getting mesothelioma.
Cranberry grower ordered to pay $50K
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced on Monday that the owners and operators of a cranberry operation near Tomah have been ordered to pay $50,000 for violations of state wetland protection laws.
Borders sold customer data to Barnes & Noble
Kelly HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly urged state consumers on Monday to review their privacy rights related to the sale of customer information gathered by the defunct Borders book store chain.
Coakley, Jepsen want lower electric rates
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a complaint on Friday with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission seeking to lower the rates electric transmission companies charge New England ratepayers.
Appellate judges take sting out of Illinois opinion
Castleman SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Fourth District appellate judges withdrew a stinging opinion that rejected conspiracy evidence in McLean County mesothelioma trials, and they replaced it with a kinder and gentler rejection.
W.Va. SC rules in favor of county on sick leave
Ketchum CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled last week that a circuit court order awarding more than $400,000 to former Cabell County Jail employees be reversed.
W.Va. GOP serves notice on redistricting documents
Stuart CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Republican Party, anticipating future litigation, on Friday provided written notice to various state offices asking that all documents related to redistricting be preserved.
Calif. AG steps out of mortgage settlement talks
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris has reportedly backed out of ongoing settlement talks with the nation's top mortgage servicers.
Va. AG appeals ObamaCare ruling
Cuccinelli WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is the latest to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments over federal health care reform.
R.I. AG shuts down pair of companies
Kilmartin PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced on Friday that his office has prevailed in shutting down two allegedly fraudulent mortgage modification companies and securing $5,500 in restitution for three consumers.