News from March 2012
McGraw talks about mortgage settlement on legal show
McGraw CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw admitted Thursday a $25 billion settlement with the nation's five largest mortgage servicers is not perfect, but said it will help many struggling state homeowners.
AGs won't intervene in Civic Hybrid settlement
Harris SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - Five state attorneys general will not intervene in a proposed settlement that would result in coupons for affected customers and $8.5 million for the attorneys who pursued the case.
Obama administration favors interests of plaintiffs' lawyers, says critic
Samp WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A lawyer for the Washington Legal Foundation said the Obama administration "tends to favor the interests of plaintiffs' lawyers who want more opportunities to sue corporations."
Christie: All requested info on SC nominees turned over
Christie TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Thursday he has turned over to the state Senate all requested information on his two Supreme Court nominees.
DeWine suing magazine seller, gyms
DeWine YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced lawsuits on Wednesday against New Beginning Enterprises Inc., a magazine seller, as well as the owner of three Newark-area gyms for alleged consumer violations.
Drug companies settling multistate claims
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced settlements totaling $28 million on Tuesday with two pharmaceutical companies that allegedly violated Medicaid regulations.
EPA rules force power plant closures
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) -- GenOn Energy says it expects to deactivate 3,140 megawatts of generating capacity in eight power plants between June 2012 and May 2015 "because forecasted returns on investments necessary to comply with environmental regulations are insufficient."
DOJ publishes first environmental justice report
Holder WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)- The Justice Department announced Monday that it published its first annual progress report on environmental justice.
W.Va. judge could be confirmed to federal court next week
Groh WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - One legal observer says West Virginia judge Gina Groh's nomination to a federal court could be confirmed as early as next week.
N.Y. AG settlement yields restitution for restaurant workers
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement on Tuesday with Veranda, a restaurant and lounge in Manhattan, resolving allegations that it allegedly underpaid workers and unjustly terminated employees.
Koster resolves suit against animal rescue
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a consent judgment on Wednesday against Donna Palen and Jenifer Dickson for alleged violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act.
W.Va. SC extends Apex rule to high-ranking corporate officials
Workman CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals last week granted an insurer's writ seeking prohibition of a circuit court's order requiring its CEO to submit to depositions.
HUD accuses Bank of America of discrimination
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is accusing Bank of America of discriminating against homebuyers with disabilities.
W.Va. SC: Senator's election opponent must be removed from ballot
Deem CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, in a brief, three-page order Wednesday, ruled that a state lawmaker's election opponent must be removed from the May primary ballot.