News from August 2012
Wash. SC allows suit over tribal gas disbursements to move forward
Stephens OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - The Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a lawsuit brought against state officials over disbursements given to Indian tribes under fuel tax compacts can proceed.
Insurers note 'forum shopping' issue going before Supreme Court
TEXARKANA, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - A group of insurance companies have filed notice with U.S. District Judge Susan O. Hickey that the U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled for conference next month on a "forum shopping" issue related to their defense in a class action lawsuit.
Union says right-to-work laws equivalent to slavery; NRTW says unions want monopoly
Young PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - One of the more controversial labor law initiatives in modern times - the right-to-work law - is fraught with confusion and contention.
Report: Mo. AG says he won't appeal ballot summary ruling
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said this week he won't appeal a judge's ruling rewriting the ballot summary of a health insurance proposal.
Mich. AG approves proposed Marquette hospital sale
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has approved the proposed sale of Marquette General Hospital to Duke Lifepoint LLC.
Disciplinary panel: Pa. SC justice Melvin shouldn't be paid
Melvin HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania's Court of Judicial Discipline ruled Thursday that suspended state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin should not be paid while awaiting trial for criminal charges.
Calif. man accused of commodity pool scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Wednesday filed a complaint against Jeffrey Gustaveson, charging him with fraud, misappropriation and issuing false statements in an approximately $2.5 million commodity pool scheme.
Man pleads guilty to pirating movies
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A member of the online piracy group IMAGiNE on Wednesday pleaded guilty in federal court to copyright infringement.
Turner Construction pays $270K for stormwater violations
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Turner Construction must pay $270,000 in civil penalties for alleged violations of federal stormwater regulations, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday.
SEC accuses CEO of funneling millions
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - On Tuesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged video software company Wwebnet and chief executive officer Robert Kelly with securities violations.
Judge permits AGs' use of private firm in Capital One cases
Louie TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has ruled that the attorneys general of Mississippi and Hawaii can pursue their claims against Capital One Bank and use private attorneys to do so.
Firm investigating possible shareholder breach by drink maker
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York-based law firm said Wednesday it is investigating whether the board of directors of Monster Beverage Corp. has breached its fiduciary duties to shareholders.
Fla., Ga. AGs attack Obamacare during RNC speech
Bondi TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi and Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, in a speech at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night, used the opportunity to attack President Barack Obama's controversial health care law.
AGs settle with Janssen for $181M
Bondi WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A $181 million multistate agreement was announced by a group of attorneys general on Thursday with Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Head shop to pay $22K in penalties
Schneiderman BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a consent order and judgment on Wednesday against a Buffalo head shop requiring that it remove mislabeled or unlabeled products from its shelves.
R.I. AG says Urban Outfitters t-shirts glorify drinking
Kilmartin PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin and MADD-RI Executive Director Gabrielle Abbate called on local Urban Outfitter stores on Tuesday to remove t-shirts that glorify underage drinking from their shelves.
AGs reach $69M agreement with publishers over e-books
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and a group of more than 50 other attorneys general announced Wednesday they have secured a $69 million agreement with three major publishers over electronic book price-fixing allegations.
Tenn. SC: Doctors can't pursue malicious prosecution claim
Holder NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - The Tennessee Supreme Court this week sided with a patient in a lawsuit filed by two doctors alleging malicious prosecution.
Va. AG returns $8.6M in Medicaid fraud recovery to general fund
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli told lawmakers this week that the state's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will turn over a check for $8.6 million to the general fund later this month.
Report: Donovan concedes primary to incumbent Vt. AG Sorrell
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Democratic challenger T.J. Donovan has reportedly conceded the primary race for Vermont attorney general to incumbent William Sorrell.