News from February 2012
Judge: FDA's new cigarette warnings violate First Amendment
Leon WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Graphic warning labels imposed by the federal government on tobacco products violate the First Amendment, a federal court in Washington, D.C., has ruled.
Judicial group opposes Ninth Circuit nominee
Hurwitz WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A group aimed at "judicial renewal" is opposing U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit nominee Andrew David Hurwitz.
Mo. AG settles with St. Louis car dealers
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a settlement on Wednesday with two St. Louis-based used auto dealers to resolve allegations that the companies were selling cars without compulsory inspections.
Cramming bill advances in Illinois
Madigan SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that the House Consumer Protection Committee has unanimously approved a law to ban phone bill cramming scams.
Fundraiser paying $35K in penalties in settlement with Cuccinelli
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli announced a settlement on Tuesday with a fundraising organization and its chairman to resolve allegations of submitting inaccurate financial statements and making false statements.
U.S. SC rules against asbestos plaintiff in important case
Thomas WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a legal theory that would have given asbestos attorneys a new industry to attack with lawsuits.
Federal appeals court hears challenges over EPA finding
Cuccinelli WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court heard challenges this week from more than a dozen states and a government watchdog group over the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's greenhouse gas "endangerment" finding.
Minn. appeals court affirms Best Buy warranty
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) -- The Minnesota Court of Appeals has rejected a challenge to a warranty contract in the case of Baker v. Best Buy Stores, LP and Chartis WarrantyGuard, Inc.
Editorial: New York's laws clogging courts
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York's laws encourage frivolous lawsuits, the executive director of a legal reform group wrote in a recent editorial.
W.Va. SC hears arguments in candidacy case
Ketchum CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals on Wednesday heard arguments in a case in which a state lawmaker is asking the Court to remove an election opponent from the May primary ballot.
Dallas doctor arrested for $375M home healthcare fraud
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A Dallas physician, his office manager and the owners of five home health agencies have been arrested for allegedly defrauding the government for healthcare services.
U.S. SC won't hear marriage group's appeal over campaign law
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court says it won't hear a challenge to Maine's campaign laws by a group opposed to same-sex marriages.
Chevron: Tribunal says it can hear claims against Ecuador
SAN RAMON, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Chevron Corp. announced Tuesday that an international arbitration tribunal has ruled it has jurisdiction to hear the company's claims against the Republic of Ecuador.
States, feds settle with pharma company
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a $289,000 settlement on Tuesday resolving allegations that KV Pharmaceutical misrepresented that two drugs were approved for federal and state health care coverage.
Foreclosure assistance company banned from working in N.C.
Cooper RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday that a Winston-Salem foreclosure assistance company has been permanently banned from offering credit repair or foreclosure assistance services in the state.
Va. Verizon employee files union complaint
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- A Verizon employee has filed a federal lawsuit claiming the company and a union violated her rights as a worker.
DeWine alleges company never delivered
DeWine STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit on Tuesday against the operator of Future Sound and Security and Future Sound Inc. for alleged misrepresentation and failure to deliver.
Iowa AG settles with Ohio marketing company
Miller DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced the recovery of $700,000 on Thursday as part of a settlement with an Ohio marketing company to resolve allegations of unlawfully charging approximately 2,800 Iowans for memberships.
Court OKs class action against Merrill Lynch
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) -- African-American brokers employed by Merrill Lynch can pursue racial discrimination claims in a class action.
Miss. lawmaker says 'Sunshine' bill will stop AG's favoritism
Baker JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - The sponsor of a bill aimed at limiting Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's authority says the measure will prevent the attorney general from "unilaterally dictating" the public policy of the state.