News from June 2012
FTC shuts down telemarketing scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The Federal Trade Commission has halted a telemarketing scam that allegedly deceived people trying to buy affordable health insurance into buying worthless medical discount plans.
Utah SC grants new trial in suit over deadly high-speed chase
Nehring SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) - The Utah Supreme Court, in a ruling last week, said a negligence lawsuit filed against a city and a police officer, as a result of a deadly high-speed chase, can proceed.
N.Y. AG, Chesapeake reach agreement over natural gas leases
Schneiderman BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says his office has reached an agreement with Chesapeake Appalachia LLC to allow more than 4,000 landowners locked in "unfavorable" natural gas leases to renegotiate.
Va. SC agrees to toss suit against landlords over lead paint
Lacy RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - The Virginia Supreme Court ruled last week that a lower court was correct in sustaining demurrers filed by two landlords in a lawsuit over the existence of lead paint in their two rental properties.
Prosser's attorneys: SC can't act on motion to appoint panel
Prosser MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Attorneys for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser argued in a filing this week that none of the members of the state's high court can act on a motion to appoint a judicial conduct panel to hear an ethics complaint against the justice.
Fla. AG announces $600k settlement with healthcare training school
Bondi TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $600,000 agreement Wednesday with a healthcare training school to resolve allegations that the school allegedly misrepresented itself in its marketing materials.
Idaho AG announces $285k Medicaid settlement with Merck
Wasden BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced a $285,991 settlement Thursday with Merck resolving allegations of illegal marketing of the drug Vioxx.
Ill. AG files suit against home improvement firm
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed a lawsuit Wednesday against a defunct south suburban home improvement supply company that allegedly bilked consumers out of $90,000 in down payments for unfulfilled orders.
Ind. AG files lawsuit against foreclosure consultant
Zoeller GENEVA, Ind. (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced a lawsuit on Wednesday against a foreclosure consultant that allegedly ripped off a Geneva victim.
EPA reversed again in federal court
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has vacated the issuance of an interim regulation by the Environmental Protection Agency permitting Navistar to sell diesel engines not in compliance with clean air standards.
N.Y. attorneys plead guilty to $66 million fraud
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- Three attorneys and a former attorney have pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit wire fraud and bank fraud in connection with a $66 million mortgage fraud scheme, involving over 100 home mortgage loans for residential properties in the New York City area.
Conn. AG seeks 'meaningful penalties' for utility over storm response
Jepsen HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen says Connecticut Light & Power Co., the company at the center of an investigation over prolonged power outages, was "imprudent" in its preparation for and response to Tropical Storm Irene and an October snow storm last year.
W.Va. AG going after out-of-state title loan company again
McGraw MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw said Thursday his office has filed a lawsuit against a "predatory" out-of-state title loan company in Jefferson County Circuit Court.
Report: Ark. AG to run for gubernatorial nomination in 2014
McDaniel LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Wednesday he plans to make a run for governor.
Committee votes to curb Obama environmental regulatory expansion
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has approved proposed legislation to prevent the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers from what it termed "dramatically and illegally" increasing their regulatory power of water and land using the Clean Water Act.
W.Va. high court rules in another case over arbitration clauses
Ketchum CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals says a lower court erred in refusing to enforce an arbitration clause, compelling the owner of a Morgantown office building to settle its claims arising from a post-construction maintenance agreement.
W.Va. SC backs off previous ruling over nursing home contracts
Ketchum CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has reversed and remanded a set of lawsuits over arbitration agreements in nursing home contracts.
W.Va. SC says Fla. company should've paid prevailing wage
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals says the state's Division of Labor was "not clearly wrong" in determining that work done by an out-of-state company on a new state museum was subject to West Virginia's Prevailing Wage Act.
Mich. AG issues cease and desist letters to Internet sweepstakes cafes
Schuette LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced Tuesday that his Alcohol & Gambling Enforcement Division issued cease and desist letters to nine Internet sweepstakes cafes that allegedly engaged in illegal gambling.
Mo. AG settles with firefighter, beef jerky charity scheme
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a settlement Tuesday with the owner of an Oklahoma beef jerky vending franchise resolving allegations that he failed to deliver and made dishonest claims.