News from February 2012
N.H. AG settles with PetSmart over cadmium allegations
Delaney CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney and Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Thomas Burack announced a $15,000 settlement with PetSmart, Inc. on Wednesday.
Conn. utilities board rules for Jepsen's motion
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced on Thursday that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has ruled that NStar and Northeast Utilities must show that a proposed merger is in the public's best interest.
Bill to televise U.S. SC passes committee
Chief Justice John Roberts WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Senate Judiciary Committee has voted in favor of allowing cameras into the U.S. Supreme Court.
Federal officials, state AGs reach $25 billion deal with banks
Harris WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Federal officials and a group of state attorneys general have reached a $25 billion agreement with the nation's five largest mortgage servicers, making it the second largest settlement obtained by a group of attorneys general.
Report: Plan to speed up judicial nominations could be stalled
Cordray CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - An effort by U.S. Senate Democrats to speed up judicial nominations could be delayed.
Judges' roundtable on mass torts closed to public; Should it be?
Brown PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - A roundtable of federal and state judges from across the country will convene at the posh Ritz Carlton on Feb. 9 to address topics such as "Can MDL's keep up with state court trial settings;" "Priority of deposition examination;" "State and federal cooperation;" and "Forum non conveniens."
Role of plaintiffs lawyers in Dodd-Frank debated at House hearing
Franks WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Whether state attorneys general should be allowed to hire private attorneys on a contingency fee to enforce federal law was debated last week before a House subcommittee.
More than 40 states have signed on to proposed mortgage deal
Kilmartin WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A settlement between the nation's top mortgage servicers and state attorneys general looks closer to being done.
Hood critical of bill that would allow officials to hire outside attorneys
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is accusing state lawmakers of "railroading" through the state Legislature a bill that would take away some of his office's authority.
EPA causes power company to close plants
Tomblin AKRON, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - FirstEnergy Corp. has announced a subsidiary will close three power plants in neighboring West Virginia.
La. AG hauls in $25.2M from five drug companies
Caldwell BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell announced Tuesday that his office has recovered $25.2 million from five pharmaceutical companies as part of agreements resolving allegations of unlawful inflation of drug costs.
Wells Fargo changes practices for handling subpoenas
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced on Wednesday that Wells Fargo & Co. has agreed to change its practices for handling subpoenas and to enhance consumer protections for customers whose information was disclosed.
Jepsen wants info from ValueAppeal
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen has requested that a Seattle company provide his office with more information about specific property tax appeal services offered to consumers in Connecticut.
Ind. AG sues mortgage rescue companies
Zoeller INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced four lawsuits on Wednesday against mortgage rescue companies that allegedly scammed Indiana consumers out of thousands of dollars.
Koster: Company indicted for falsifying mortgage documents
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - A Missouri grand jury has handed down 136-count indictments against a mortgage document company and its founder and former president, state Attorney General Chris Koster says.
Christie intervenes in Clean Air Act dispute
Christie TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has filed a motion to intervene in a challenge to a federal Clean Air Act permit.
Catholic university fights 'ObamaCare' mandate
Towey AVE MARIA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Catholic university in Florida is putting up a fight against ObamaCare mandates.
Owner renting websites to asbestos firms
Frank NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The owner of three websites with asbestos litigation-related names is putting space up for rent to the asbestos law firms.
Ohio roofer sued by AG
DeWine CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Wickliffe-based Murphy & Son Inc., a roofing business that allegedly violated Ohio consumer law.
Nineteen states settle with debt collector
Geraghty WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) - Alaska Attorney General Michael Geraghty announced on Monday that the state has joined 18 other states in a settlement with debt collector NCO Financial Systems Inc., resolving allegations of unfair debt collection practices.