News from June 2012
Miner ordered reinstated
ARLINGTON, Va. (Legal Newsline) - The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced Monday that a Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission administrative law judge ordered Cumberland River Coal Co. to reinstate miner Charles Howard.
Aetna life insurance resolves allegations, paying $1M
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a consent judgment with Aetna Life Insurance Company on Wednesday resolving allegations of failing to cover certain medical services and using deceptive marketing practices.
Pa. AG settles with BlueHippo
Kelly HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly announced an approximately $1.8 million settlement with the Maryland-based BlueHippo Funding to resolve allegations that the company preyed on Pennsylvania consumers with poor credit.
Kilmartin sues fire district, alleges open meetings violations
Kilmartin PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against the Manville Fire District for allegedly failing to conduct meetings in a location accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Man pleads guilty to securities fraud
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The president of investment research firm and a paid consultant of an expert networking firm pled guilty Tuesday to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud in connection with an alleged insider trading scheme.
Parts of Harris' Homeowner Bill of Rights clear committee
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Two central elements of California Attorney General Kamala Harris' so-called Homeowner Bill of Rights passed a special two-house conference committee this week.
Wis. SC justice denies Prosser's recusal request
Crooks MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice N. Patrick Crooks, in an order filed with the Court Wednesday, says he will not recuse himself from an ethics case against fellow Justice David Prosser.
Va. AG 'much relieved' after reading health care ruling
Cuccinelli RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who initially railed against the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling Thursday mostly upholding the federal health care law, admitted later in the day it was "not a sad day at all."
Law prof: Chief justice, attempting to please, disappoints in ObamaCare ruling
Presser WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A Northwestern University law professor says U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts did his best to keep the court from seeming like another political body - at the expense of federalism.
Audit takes issue with Mo. AG's contracts with private firms
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri State Auditor Thomas Schweich found the overall performance of Attorney General Chris Koster's office to be "fair" in an audit of the office released Wednesday.
U.S. SC rules for ObamaCare, calls mandate a tax
Roberts WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the controversial provision of health care reform requiring individuals to purchase insurance or face a financial penalty is a constitutional tax.
SEC sues Malaysian fund adviser
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday sued a Malaysian investment adviser, alleging it billed a U.S. registered fund for advisory services that it did not provide.
W.Va. SC says union can challenge construction contract
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia's high court ruled last week that a construction workers union has standing to challenge a highway construction contract.
NLRB files complaint against SEIU
ORANGE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board in Los Angeles on Wednesday authorized a complaint against a major healthcare union and hospital officials alleging they forced workers to accept an unwanted union in the workplace.
SEC accuses hedge fund of fraud
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York-based hedge fund adviser and his advisory firm were accused Wednesday by the Securities and Exchange Commission of fraud.
AGs reach settlement over GIBill.com
Wasden WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) - A multistate settlement was announced on Wednesday between 20 state attorneys general and a California company that allegedly tried to get military veterans to attend for-profit colleges.
Action taken against Mass. Internet cafe
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced on Tuesday that the owner of a Chicopee Internet cafe who allegedly offered illegal casino-style computer games must preserve all his assets and documents.
N.J. AG reaches agreement with children's app developer
Chiesa NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced a consent decree on Wednesday with a children's app developer that allegedly collected and transmitted children's personal data without permission.
D.C. Circuit affirms EPA standards on greenhouse gases
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court this week upheld the federal government's regulations limiting the emissions of greenhouse gas air pollutants.
W.Va. SC: Primary beneficiaries can bring statutory bad faith claims
McHugh CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled last week that a primary life insurance beneficiary may assert a statutory bad faith action after the death of the insured.