News from 2011
Pipeline reduces rate proposal by $193M
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Friday that a natural gas pipeline company has agreed to reduce its proposed rate increase by $193 million.
Workers file amicus brief supporting Wisconsin union reform
Mix MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Two Wisconsin school teachers and one other government employee have filed an amicus brief in federal court asking a judge to uphold a new law that reforms Wisconsin's public sector union activities.
Iowa man paying $5K penalty
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced on Thursday that a Milford resident has been ordered to pay a $5,000 penalty for allegedly violating the "Iowa One Call" law.
Conn. AG may intervene for federal air pollution rule
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced Friday that the state of Connecticut and five other Eastern states are seeking to intervene in support of a federal rule to control interstate air pollution.
Pfizer settles over false Detrol claims
Holder WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced a settlement Friday with Pfizer Inc. worth $14.5 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations related to marketing of the drug Detrol.
Report: Harris subpoenas Bank of America
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris has reportedly subpoenaed Bank of America Corp. over risky mortgage-backed investments it allegedly sold.
Ore. appeals court judge candidate for high court seat
Brewer SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Court of Appeals Chief Judge David V. Brewer is running for the state Supreme Court.
Mich. lawmakers looking at plan to reduce judgeships
Young LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan's House Judiciary Committee is taking up a plan that calls for eliminating a significant number of judgeships statewide.
Pa. SC establishes Twitter feed
Eakin PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - When the Pennsylvania Supreme Court reconvened in Old City Hall in Philadelphia's historic district in mid-September, the first time it met there since 1802, it was like the justices took a step back in time.
EPA chief went too far, federal judge says
Jackson WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lisa Jackson exceeded her authority by imposing new water quality rules on mountaintop coal mines, a judge has ruled.
Health professionals refute report that Texas tort reform is a failure
Perry AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - In spite of a recent report calling the Texas reform of medical liability litigation a "failed experiment," a group of medical professionals in the state still maintains the reforms are a success.
Va. AG attacks EPA's stance on greenhouse gases
Cuccinelli WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, in a brief filed Monday, argues the federal Environmental Protection Agency did not follow its own rules in declaring that greenhouse gases are dangerous to human health.
Former Minn. AG joins consumer protection agency
Humphrey WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Wednesday that it has selected Hubert H. "Skip" Humphrey III, a former Minnesota attorney general, to lead its Office of Older Americans.
Report: Dominatrix quits N.Y. AG's office
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - An assistant New York attorney general who moonlights as a dominatrix has reportedly stepped down.
Schneiderman reviewing breast cancer campaigns
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Thursday that his Charities Bureau will review cause marketing campaigns that promise to benefit breast cancer charities with the sale of certain services and products.
Make bath salts illegal, R.I. AG says
Kilmartin PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - On Wednesday, Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin requested that the state's Department of Health place the main chemicals in the drug known as "bath salts" on the list of Schedule I drugs.
TRO entered against mortgage modifier
Kilmartin PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced on Thursday that his office has received a temporary restraining order against a mortgage modification company that allegedly violated state laws.
Okla. SC: Couple's status as investors not subject to full trial
Edmondson OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - The Oklahoma Supreme Court said last week there is no disputing a couple's status as "non-innocent" investors in various check-kiting and Ponzi schemes.
Attorney: Voucher redemption in AG Hood case not surprising
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - An attorney who fights settlements that provide coupons to consumers and millions of dollars to attorneys says he was not surprised by the outcome of Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's settlement with Microsoft.
Neb. SC: No preemption on plaintiff's claim
Stephan LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - The Nebraska Supreme Court last week partially reversed a district court's judgment in favor of Union Pacific Railroad Co.