News from 2011
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.
Mass AG: Man created 'nuisance' for neighbors
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a preliminary injunction on Tuesday against a Northborough man who allegedly accepted solid waste and compostable material on his property, creating odors and noise for neighbors.
N.H. AG reaches agreement over alleged wetlands law violations
Delaney CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney and Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Thomas Burack announced a settlement on Tuesday with a Wakefield-based property owner over alleged wetlands law violations.
Chinese restaurants cited for labor law violations
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Tuesday that her office has cited the owners of two Chinese food restaurants for alleged intentional violations of the state's minimum wage, child labor and anti-retaliation laws.
Landlord paying for allegedly hiking rates after Joplin tornado
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Tuesday that he has obtained a consent judgment against a Joplin landlord for alleged price gouging and other violations after the May 22 Joplin tornado.
Democratic AG group raises funds to help Conway
Conway FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - An independent campaign committee based in Denver has raised more than $600,000 to help reelect Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, according to a filing with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance last week.
Dickie Scruggs gets testimony unsealed in attempt to vacate guilty plea
Scruggs ABERDEEN, Miss. - Tort king Dickie Scruggs, who disgraced Mississippi on his way to prison, aims to get out early by disgracing his brother-in-law, former U. S. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott.
Bank of America opens Conn. customer center
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced on Tuesday that Bank of America Corp. has responded to the needs of distressed homeowners in the state by opening a customer assistance center in Southington.
Report: Former aide urged Cuomo into Ecuador lawsuit
Cuomo NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A spokeswoman for a group of Ecuadorian plaintiffs suing Chevron and one-time aide to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo reportedly drew the former attorney general into the lawsuit filed against the company for polluting an Amazonian region.
Dentist pays $212K to settle whistleblower case
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and United States Attorney David B. Fein announced a settlement Tuesday with a New Haven dentist worth $212,000.
BlueHippo settles Wis. action for $600K
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a settlement on Monday worth approximately $600,000 with the former chief executive officer of two now-defunct funding companies that allegedly violated consumer protection laws.
La. AG files action against cemetery
Caldwell BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced on Monday that his office is seeking a court order to prohibit the current overseer of Gilbert Memorial Park from operating the cemetery's business.
Ill. SC rules for StubHub in tax issue
Theis SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - The Illinois Supreme Court ruled last week that the city of Chicago went beyond its home rule powers in trying to require electronic intermediaries, like StubHub, to collect and remit amusement taxes on resold tickets.
States file opposition to new EPA regulations
Strange Washington, D.C. (Legal Newsline) - Twenty-five states and Guam have filed an amicus brief urging the Environmental Protection Agency to delay the implementation of new emissions regulations.
Former N.D. AG weighing Senate run
Heitkamp BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - Former North Dakota Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp, who once ran for governor, is now considering a run for the U.S. Senate.