News from 2011
Banks want W.Va. AG's lawsuit in federal court
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A half-dozen banks accused of violating West Virginia's Consumer Credit and Protection Act have asked a federal court to hear the lawsuits filed against them by West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw.
Nev. SC won't consider taxicab company's writ petition
Hardesty CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - The Nevada Supreme Court, after rehearing a case involving a taxicab company, says it will not "exercise its discretion" to consider a writ petition by the company challenging a denial of summary judgment.
W.Va. AG might be done appealing $3.1M disputes with feds
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw appears to be ready to accept a ruling that he shortchanged the federal government nearly $450,000.
Feinberg: Subpoena dispute doesn't belong in Miss. court
Feinberg JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Kenneth Feinberg, the man tasked with paying out Gulf oil spill claims, has filed his objection to having a lawsuit against him heard in a Mississippi court.
Kan. high court certifies class in suit over faxed ads
Rosen TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - The Kansas Supreme Court last week affirmed the decision of a district court to certify a class of plaintiffs in an action seeking damages under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
Ala. SC squashes college students' suit over dining program
Stuart MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - The Alabama Supreme Court last week dismissed appeals by University of Alabama, Auburn University and University of Alabama at Birmingham students over so-called "dining dollars" programs.
Tobacco company pays up in Ohio
DeWine COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a settlement on Wednesday with a tobacco maker for allegedly failing to establish an escrow account for the sale of its cigarettes as required by law.
Company settles Schneiderman's lawsuit for $1.6M
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement on Wednesday with a food service provider that allegedly overcharged school districts and other education providers.
N.Y. Comptroller says Chevron should settle Ecuador lawsuit
DiNapoli NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is urging Chevron to "do what's right for its investors" and "its future viability," and negotiate a fair settlement with a group of Ecuadorians suing the company.
Tenn. AG: Amazon must collect sales tax
Cooper NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper says online retailers, such as Amazon, do have to collect sales taxes if they open warehouses in the state.
Movie theater food subject to normal tax, Mo. SC rules
Teitelman JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - The price of popcorn at Missouri movie theaters will not be going down any time soon, following a ruling from the state Supreme Court.
Ill. SC reverses $43M verdict against Ford
Theis SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Ford Motor Co. undertook no duty to warn luxury car owners that contents of their trunks could puncture their fuel tanks when Ford helped police prevent punctures in similar cars, the Illinois Supreme Court decided on Sept. 22.
Appeals court nominee Thacker testifies before judiciary committee
Thacker WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia attorney Stephanie Thacker touched on her experience as both a prosecutor and private practice attorney while testifying before a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
Gansler to company: Get a license
Gansler BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced a cease and desist order on Wednesday requiring two tree service operators to pay restitution and to stop selling landscaping services unless they obtain a license.
N.Y. AG files $2B suit against BNY Mellon
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has filed what his office says is a landmark lawsuit against Bank of New York Mellon, which is calling his claims "baseless."
Inhofe wants look into EPA's greenhouse gas finding
Inhofe WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla. has called for hearings to address how the Environmental Protection Agency arrived at its greenhouse gas endangerment finding.
Wachovia repurchases $441M in auction rate securities
Dow NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow announced consent orders on Tuesday requiring two financial investment companies to repurchase auction rate securities from New Jersey clients.
Motorcycle insurers paying $5.7M in settlements
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced settlements on Monday with three insurers for allegedly overcharging policyholders.
Conn. AG: Agency complied with law
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen said last week that a state agency complied with state law in asking utility regulators to temporarily suspend proceedings on the issue of smart meters.
U.S. SC won't hear appeal of asbestos firm in fraud case
Peirce WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court will let stand a ruling that reopened a fraud case against a Pittsburgh asbestos law firm.