News from April 2012
Fifth Circuit: Judge allowed to vacate other judge's ruling
Stewart NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge had the authority to overturn a colleague's findings in a class action lawsuit over a change in discounts given to employees and retirees of a phone company, an appeals court has ruled.
Uncertainty abounds over Wis. justice's attack case
Prosser MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - The Wisconsin Judicial Commission says the only way to clear the mess that the state Supreme Court finds itself in is to assign it to someone else.
GOP plans brief opposing Obama's labor board appointments
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Senate Republicans are supporting the legal challenge of several recess appointments made by President Barack Obama.
U.S. SC: Outside lawyers entitled to immunity for government work
Roberts WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling Tuesday, affirmed that outside lawyers retained to do government legal work are entitled to the same immunity from related lawsuits as government employees.
Idaho AWP settlement worth $2.6M
Wasden BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced a $2.6 million settlement on Tuesday with a prescription drug manufacturer resolving allegations that the company incorrectly reported drug prices.
Colo. AG, RMI Associates reach agreement
Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced an agreement on Tuesday with a Denver-based company and its principals barring them from engaging in any business offering to help consumers receive restitution.
Ill. waste composting company sued over permit
Madigan SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit on Monday against a Clinton County waste composting company for allegedly processing and accepting waste with a permit that had expired.
Calif. SC chief justice, others speak on effect of budget cuts
Cantil-Sakauye SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye, and others, spoke to state lawmakers Monday about the effect of recent budget cuts to the public's access to justice.
Ohio AG sues Fla. telemarketers
DeWine COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit on Monday against two Florida telemarketers and their principals for allegedly violating Ohio's consumer laws and calling Ohio consumers on the National Do Not Call Registry.
W.Va. AG suing debt collection agencies
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw is suing seven unlicensed collection agencies, and their owners, to enforce investigative subpoenas and stop them from engaging in unlawful practices in the state.
W.Va. joining 21 other states in challenge to EPA emissions rule
Tomblin CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin announced Monday that the state is joining 21 others in challenging President Barack Obama's "latest attack on jobs and West Virginia coal."
Memphis will make $250M in sewer improvements
Cooper MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - The city of Memphis has arranged a "comprehensive settlement" with several agencies that requires it to spend millions of dollars to upgrade its sewer system.
W.Va. attorney confirmed to federal appeals court
Thacker WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia attorney Stephanie Thacker has been confirmed to a federal appeals court.
U.S. SC won't hear Skilling case again
Skilling WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court says it will not consider another appeal by former Enron President Jeffrey Skilling.
Suit over ill man's missing car can continue
Lynn CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - A New Hampshire man whose car was towed right before he suffered a heart attack during the amputation of his foot will have a chance to recover damages related to the subsequent sale of it.
Calif. appeals court overturns $603 million verdict against Boeing
Rubin LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California appeals court last week overturned a $603 million jury verdict against Boeing Co. over contracts for its construction of a satellite communications network.
Calif. AG pushing for stronger mortgage protections
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris is urging state lawmakers to push through a package of bills that aim to better protect homeowners.
Wis. AG settles pollution charges with General Shoe Supplies
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced a settlement on Friday with a Marathon County shoe supply company to resolve allegations of unlawful discharges of pollutant-containing wastewater.
Ohio AG alleges online investment scheme
DeWine CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit on Friday against a Cleveland-area resident who allegedly ran an international online investment operation that took hundreds of thousands of dollars and failed to deliver.
Mo. AG obtains orders against dog breeder, contractor
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced the obtainment of a restraining order against a Howell County dog breeder on Monday and a court order requiring payment against a Joplin contractor on Friday.