News from March 2012
Ill. AG pleased with approval of 'cramming' bill
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Wednesday that house lawmakers unanimously passed legislation to ban phone bill cramming, a scam that has impacted Illinois consumers and business with bogus phone bill charges.
Vt. AG to face at least one challenger in primary
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Vermont Attorney General Bill Sorrell will be facing at least one challenger in this year's Democratic primary.
Ky. Senate approves bill that would make AG nonpartisan
Stine FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - The Kentucky Senate passed a bill this week that would make the state's attorney general nonpartisan.
Supreme Court rules against EPA 'strong arm'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The United States Supreme Court unanimously has ruled that "compliance orders" of the Environmental Protection Agency can be reviewed by the courts.
Lawyers respond to judge's skepticism over expenses
Bull SPOKANE, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Class action lawyers who alarmed a federal judge with their expense requests have responded to his concerns.
Colo. case ready for next step toward regulating lawsuit financing industry
Suthers DENVER (Legal Newsline) - In 44 states, Oasis Legal Finance and LawCash say they provide funding for plaintiffs with pending lawsuits. In Colorado, however, a judge says they are handing out loans and should be regulated as such.
U.S. SC deems company's processes not patent eligible
Breyer WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court says a company's processes, which help doctors who use thiopurine drugs to treat patients with autoimmune diseases determine whether a given dosage level is too low or too high, is not patent eligible.
Former Mass. lawmaker says AG ruined his life -- over receipts
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A former state representative says Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has "ruined his life," punishing him for failing to hold on to receipts for purported campaign expenditures.
U.S. SC: States cannot be sued over sick leave
Kennedy WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a Maryland state employee who was fired after asking for unpaid sick leave, as required by the Family and Medical Leave Act, cannot sue the state for damages.
Ohio AG files antitrust suit over rock salt
DeWine COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed an antitrust lawsuit on Wednesday against Morton Salt Inc. and Cargill Inc. for alleged actions that resulted in above-market rock salt prices for government entities.
SEIU named again in labor complaint
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) -- An employee for a Seattle nonprofit has filed a complaint against the Service Employees International Union with the National Labor Relations Board.
N.Y. AG concerned with Craigslist scams
Schneiderman ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a consumer alert on Wednesday urging New Yorkers to protect themselves from fraud after an increase in complaints about Craigslist rental scams.
Horse rescue settles with New Jersey
Chiesa NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced a settlement on Wednesday between the Division of Consumer Affairs and an unregistered Sussex County charity that rescues horses.
Hood hires former AG, former SC justice to handle BP claims
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood confirmed Tuesday that he has hired a former state attorney general and a former state Supreme Court justice to handle Mississippi's claims against oil giant BP.
No ban coming on lawsuit financing in Oklahoma
McDaniel OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - If any bill passes the Oklahoma Legislature concerning the lawsuit financing industry, it won't include a ban on the practice.
Sixth Circuit upholds graphic warning labels on cigarette packs
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court this week upheld a law requiring tobacco companies to display graphic warnings on cigarette packs, saying the warnings are "reasonably related" to the federal government's interest in preventing consumer deception.
NLRB touts union election record
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The National Labor Relations Board is implementing a controversial new rule April 30 to reduce "unnecessary litigation and "streamline" the election process.
AG group supports EPA's mercury rules
Biden WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - Twelve state attorneys general joined on Friday to defend the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts against mercury pollution.
Calif. SC chief justice talks budget challenges in address
Cantil-Sakauye SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye says the state, including its court system, is facing "unprecedented challenges" brought on by the ongoing economic crisis.
Prizer settles Zyvox case with Ore. attorney general
Kroger SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General John Kroger announced a $3.34 million settlement on Tuesday with Pfizer resolving allegations of deceptive drug marketing claims.