News from May 2012
Drugmaker paying $1.5B over Depakote
Cuccinelli WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Abbott Laboratories is paying $1.5 billion to resolve criminal and civil liability arising from its marketing of the prescription drug Depakote.
Groups want Obama's nominees pushed through
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Twenty-nine organizations are urging the approval of 14 of President Barack Obama's judicial nominees.
Another firm wants to represent Accretive's stockholders in class action
Swanson NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Another law firm is plotting a securities class action against Accretive Health, which experienced a significant stock drop after it was criticized by Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson.
Sixth Circuit upholds convictions of Ky. lawyers in fen-phen settlement
Cunningham CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has upheld the convictions of two Kentucky attorneys, each of whom has been sentenced to 20 years in a federal prison for their roles in duping clients out of millions in settlement money.
State Farm sues Texas AG over investigation demands
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - One of Texas' largest providers of homeowners insurance is suing Attorney General Greg Abbott to block an investigation over whether the company denied renewed coverage on more than 11,000 policies in the state's Gulf Coast region.
Mass. AG announces two settlements
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced two settlements on Thursday with General Motors and Aulson Company Inc., resolving allegations of damaged natural resources and failing to pay quarterly employment contributions, resepctively.
Iowa company paying $35K penalty for asbestos violations
Miller DAVENPORT, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced a $35,000 penalty on Thursday against a Bettendorf company and its owner for allegedly engaging in open burning, solid waste and asbestos violations.
Watchdog group says N.J. AG needs to look at ALEC for tax fraud
Chiesa TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A Washington-based watchdog group wants New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa to investigate a conservative bill-writing organization.
Legacy lawsuits bill being 'held hostage,' supporter says
Briggs BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) - A bill supported by the oil and gas industry that would change the way legacy lawsuits are handled is being "held hostage," according to one of its staunchest supporters.
Ill. appellate court upholds O'Malley in forum decision
Spomer MT VERNON, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - An Illinois appellate court judge says he would favor law eradicating forum shopping by limiting venue to the county or counties where the action takes place.
Two polls show Chafin, Davis leading W.Va. SC race
Davis CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A poll conducted by Tish Chafin's West Virginia Supreme Court campaign shows her in the lead, while another statewide poll shows Robin Jean Davis in the lead.
Two pay for alleged candy scheme
Van Hollen MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced $40,000 in consent judgments on Wednesday against two alleged perpetrators of a deceptive charitable solicitation campaign.
Schneiderman suing real estate developer, seeks $1.3M
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against a real estate developer for allegedly constructing a building full of defects and failing to disclose the defects to possible purchasers.
N.Y. AG initiates action over horse care non-profit
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a lawsuit on Thursday against the directors of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation for allegedly driving the organization into insolvency and failing to care for its horses.
Nev. SC rules short-sale agreement is enforceable
Gibbons CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) - The Nevada Supreme Court ruled last week in favor of a mortgage company in a foreclosure mediation matter.
Md. SC sends case over condo repairs back to lower court
Battaglia ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) - Maryland's high court ruled this week that the state's Consumer Protection Act could apply to disclosures made in a resale certificate by a condominium association and its management company during the sale of a unit.
Miss. lawmakers send bill limiting AG's power to governor
Hood JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A bill aimed at limiting Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood's power is on its way to Gov. Phil Bryant's desk.
D.C. high court rules against former AIPAC employee
Rosen WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The District of Columbia Court of Appeals last week upheld the firing of a longtime employee by America's pro-Israel lobby.
Labor Dept. says Wal-Mart must pay $5M in back wages
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Wal-Mart will pay nearly $5 million in back wages and damages to more than 4,500 employees across the country the Department of Labor (DOL) has announced.
Wis. workers ask court to affirm intervenor status
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- Three Wisconsin public employees have asked a federal appeals court to grant them intervenor status in a lawsuit to declare Wisconsin's "Act 10" public union reform law unconstitutional.