News from 2011
NLRB rules against SEIU, employee prevails in dues complaint
Semmens SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A respiratory care practitioner at Sutter Roseville Medical Center has won a settlement against a statewide union over charges it coerced employees into paying forced union dues.
Report: Iowa AG trying to get Calif. to rejoin bank talks
Harris DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Sources say Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, who is heading up the ongoing talks with banks over their mortgage foreclosure practices, is trying to convince California Attorney General Kamala Harris to return to the negotiating table.
FDA appeals injunction in cigarette warning label case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Food and Drug Administration is appealing a federal judge's decision to grant tobacco companies a preliminary injunction against new graphic warning labels.
N.M. AG to again push for foreclosure protection bill
King LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Legal Newsline) - New Mexico Attorney General Gary King last week pledged to again bring a law before the state Legislature that would help protect homeowners facing foreclosure.
Pa. legislator modifies venue reform bill, says trial lawyers prompted change
Cutler HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Pennsylvania state legislator who introduced legislation to prevent venue shopping has changed his bill.
State AGs to co-host GOP presidential forum
Bondi WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt all are expected to co-host a Republican presidential candidate forum this weekend.
Watchdog, state AGs target Four Loko agreement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A self-described "alcohol industry watchdog" has come out against a settlement agreement the Federal Trade Commission reached last month with the marketers of Four Loko.
Koster obtains TRO in clean water case
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced on Monday that his office has obtained a temporary restraining order against a Lawrence County compost business and its owners for alleged clean water violations.
Kan. AG settles case over allegedly dumped info
Schmidt TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced a settlement on Tuesday with a company that allegedly left thousands of sensitive employee records in an open dumpster in a Wichita alley.
Group wants Kagan, Thomas to explain recusal decision
Kagan WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The group Justice at Stake is urging U.S. Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Clarence Thomas to give a public explanation as to why they are not recusing themselves from the federal health care case.
W.Va. firm's class action sent to Minn. court
Brian Glasser MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit filed by a West Virginia law firm will be remanded to a Minnesota state court.
DOL recovers nearly $8 million in back pay
Solis SILVER SPRING, Md. (Legal Newsline) - The Department of Labor announced last week that it recovered $7,968,744 in back wages, fringe benefits and 401(k) plan assets for more than 2,000 security guards formerly employed by USProtect Corp.
NLRB schedules vote on controversial policy
Cohen WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The National Labor Relations Board has scheduled a Wednesday vote on a controversial policy to permit changing workplace election rules regarding votes on union representation.
Judgment granted for Wis. AG in case against restaurant
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a judgment on Tuesday against a restaurant located near Wisconsin Dells and its owners for alleged violations of the state's safe drinking water act.
Poll: Americans want U.S. SC to rule against ObamaCare
Obama HAMDEN, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - A majority of American voters say the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn President Barack Obama's health care law, according to a new poll.
Panel picks holes in class action process
Kavanaugh WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Law professors, attorneys and the head of one non-profit seemed to agree at a panel held earlier this month that much of the problems with class action settlements could be resolved, or at least improved, through procedural changes.
W.Va. AG's win in class action dispute will stand
McGraw WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court will not hear the appeal of a group of drug stores that claimed West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw had filed a class action lawsuit against it.
N.D. AG says MoneyPak cards are subject of scam
Stenehjem BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem warned consumers on Monday about a new twist to wire fraud and advance fee scams involving reloadable prepaid cards, such as the Green Dot MoneyPak cards.
Contractor cited for improper asbestos handling
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced an order on Wednesday against an Oshkosh-based development company and a contractor for alleged violations of state laws regarding the proper handling of asbestos.
Coakley settlement worth $52 million
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $52 million settlement on Monday with RBS Financial Products Inc. to settle allegations that it financed, purchased and securitized presumptively unfair residential loans.