News from February 2012
Suit alleges two La. law firms helped misappropriate funds
Godbey DALLAS (Legal Newsline) - Two Louisiana defense firms have been accused of helping finance mogul R. Allen Stanford misappropriate $7 billon in funds from investors.
N.Y. high court refuses to expand labor law in ruling
Smith ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - The New York Court of Appeals, in a ruling Tuesday, declined to extend a state labor law "beyond the purposes it was designed to serve."
Del. SC: Business not responsible for biker's injuries
Jacobs DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - The Delaware Supreme Court last week ruled in favor of a business, which was sued by a man who was injured after his bicycle hit a pothole in its parking lot.
Group: Calif. AG cost chance at pension reform
Harris SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris' ballot summary of two proposed pension reforms are so misleading that they have no hope of passing, a California group says.
U.S. SC reverses W.Va. SC ruling on arbitration agreements
Ketchum WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court has reversed the decision of the West Virginia Supreme Court in a set of cases in which the state court ruled that arbitration agreements in nursing home contracts are "unconscionable and unenforceable."
Report: Dem. AGs may use settlement funds for campaigns
McGraw WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Democratic attorneys general received $1.1 billion to possibly use to promote their re-election campaigns in the recent nationwide $25 billion settlement with mortgage servicers, a Tuesday report in the Daily Caller says.
Jepsen seeks info on security breaches
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen requested additional information on Friday from Central Connecticut State University and the state Department of Labor about security breaches.
Bankruptcy firm to publish its fees
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - AttorneyFee.com, a comparison engine for attorneys fees, announced earlier this month that Macey Bankruptcy Law has decided to publish its fees on the site.
More synthetic drugs recovered during Ill. AG's bust
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Tuesday that an Operation Smoked Out undercover bust in Grundy County resulted in the relinquishment of 348 packages of synthetic marijuana and bath salts.
Ecuadorian court rejects Chevron's request for bond waiver
QUITO, Ecuador (Legal Newsline) - A three-judge appellate panel in Ecuador ruled Friday that Chevron Corp.'s request for a special bond waiver has no basis in Ecuadorian law.
Vt. AG files appeal in power plant case
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell is appealing a decision last month by a federal judge to keep Vermont's only nuclear power plant open past its scheduled March shutdown date.
U.S. SC blocks Mont. SC's decision on campaign spending
Ginsburg WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court last week stayed a decision by the Montana Supreme Court upholding a state election law.
Ohio AG sues roofer
DeWine CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit on Friday against a Hamilton-based roofing company for multiple alleged violations of Ohio consumer law, including failure to deliver.
N.D. AG alleges consumer fraud violations
Stenehjem BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) - North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem announced a cease and desist order on Friday against UST Development Inc. and David Bell for alleged violations of the state's consumer fraud laws.
NDK Crystal to remain closed to probe blast
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Boone County State's Attorney Michelle Courier announced a settlement on Friday with NDK Crystal requiring the company to remain closed until certified as safe for operation.
W.Va. SC seeks comment on business court
Thompson CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court is seeking public comment on proposed rules for a Business Court in the state.
American Petroleum Institute concerned about EPA refinery rules
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- An American Petroleum Institute official has expressed concern about new rules for refineries the Environmental Protection Agency is implementing.
Panel orders Ecuador to suspend enforcement of $18B judgment
Kaplan THE HAGUE, Netherlands (Legal Newsline) - An international panel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration has issued a second interim award, ordering Ecuador to prevent enforcement and recognition of an $18 billion judgment against Chevron Corp.
Editorial: Calif. lawmakers have problem with settlement claims bill
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - In an editorial special to the Sacramento Bee, California State Senators Joel Anderson and Doug LaMalfa said that state taxpayers should not foot the bill for lawsuits filed against the state.
Oglala Sioux tribe sues big beer companies
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) -- The Oglala Sioux tribe is suing multiple businesses and individuals that manufacture, distribute and sell beer and other alcoholic beverages for $500 million, claiming the businesses are responsible for "aiding and abetting" illegal alcohol sales on the Oglala's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation .