News from August 2012
Texas AG says he'll fight panel's ruling on redistricting
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Tuesday his office plans to fight a decision by a federal judicial panel, which ruled redistricting maps drawn by the state Legislature are illegal.
Auto parts maker sued over alleged losses to retirement funds
Solis WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Department of Labor is suing auto parts manufacturer Metavation for $34 million for alleged Employee Retirement Income Security Act violations.
Environmentalists sue over proposed highway in North Carolina
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - The Southern Environmental Law Center sued the North Carolina Turnpike Authority and the Federal Highway Administration Tuesday on behalf of conservation groups challenging the environmental review of the proposed Garden Parkway toll highway.
Report: N.Y. AG seeking more information on energy drinks
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman reportedly issued subpoenas to three energy drink makers last month.
School board candidates, supporter sue Utah AG
Shurtleff SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) - Two Utah school board hopefuls and a supporter are suing Attorney General Mark Shurtleff in federal court over the state's process for selecting board members.
W.Va. SC grants McGraw's motion to intervene in financing case
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has granted Attorney General Darrell McGraw's motion to intervene in a lawsuit over the state's Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program.
Ill. and Ind. residents file lawsuits against BP over tainted fuel
Clinton Krislov CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - At least four federal lawsuits have been filed against BP stemming from the company's recent fuel quality issue that caused car problems for some Midwestern motorists.
New N.Y. law targets prescription drug abuse
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced on Monday that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that will aid the state in fighting prescription drug abuse.
Millions from foreclosure settlement going to Legal Assistance
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced the distribution of $4.7 million in funding on Tuesday to the Legal Assistance Foundation from a national foreclosure settlement reached earlier this year.
Poll: Kane ahead of GOP challenger in Pa. AG race
Kane HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Kathleen Kane, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania attorney general, is leading her GOP opponent, according to poll results released this week.
Funds from lending settlement being spent
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced the distribution on Friday of $1.75 million worth of payments from Sand Canyon, an H&R Block Inc. subsidiary, as part of a settlement to resolve discriminatory lending allegations.
Judge: AG Hood's case against Entergy belongs in federal court
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has refused to move Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's lawsuit against Entergy Corp. back to a state court.
CFTC settles with two foreign companies
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced Monday the issuance of an order filing and settling charges against Russia's SMP Bank and Epaster Investments an investment company located in Nicosia, Cyprus.
W.Va. SC candidate calls McGraw's motion 'inappropriate'
Loughry CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Supreme Court candidate Allen Loughry is calling Attorney General Darrell McGraw's recent motion to intervene in a state Supreme Court case over West Virginia's Public Campaign Financing Pilot Program "inappropriate."
Immigration agents sue DHS
Napolitano DALLAS (Legal Newsline) - A group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and officers on Thursday sued Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and ICE Director John Morton.
Convicted Ponzi scheme operator ordered to pay $18M
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Monday that a Utah federal court has ordered Jeffrey Mowen to pay a total of $18,047,761.67 in penalties and disgorgement.
CNX Marine settles alleged violations
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that CNX Marine Terminals has agreed to pay a $34,600 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental laws.
EPA assesses penalty against Navy
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday that the U.S. Navy has agreed to pay a $32,800 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations.
11th Circuit given question of FCPA 'instrumentality' definition
Koehler PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - A case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit could decide the meaning of "foreign official" and "instrumentality" as two Florida men seek to overturn their 2011 convictions for bribing Haitian officials in violation of the Federal Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
N.M. SC sides with oil companies in royalties dispute
Maes SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) - The New Mexico Supreme Court on Friday ruled in favor of two oil companies in a dispute over the proper calculation of royalty payments on state oil and gas leases.