News from May 2012
Calif. bill targeting ADA lawsuit reform clears committee
Steinberg SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A bill aimed at helping California businesses comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, without facing the ever-growing threat of frivolous lawsuits, cleared a key committee this week.
N.J. AG says moving company held possessions hostage
Chiesa NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and the Division of Consumer Affairs filed a lawsuit on Thursday against two North Jersey moving companies that allegedly engaged in predatory and unconscionable business practices.
N.H. AG, company reach $66K wetlands agreement
Delaney CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney and Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Thomas Burack announced a settlement on Wednesday with a company to resolve alleged wetlands law violations.
Mo. dog breeder sued by attorney general
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a lawsuit in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture on Thursday against a Morgan County dog breeder for allegedly violating animal care laws.
S.D. SC denies petition in case of accidental Russian roulette death
Gilbertson PIERRE, S.D. (Legal Newsline) - The South Dakota Supreme Court last week upheld an order denying the petition of a man who says witnessing his friend's Russian roulette-style death lead to his post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis.
Ill. SC: Other defendants lack standing to challenge denial
Thomas SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - The Illinois Supreme Court said last week that only the party moving to substitute a judge has standing -- if that motion is wrongly denied -- to ask that all subsequent orders entered in the case be declared null and void.
SEC files charges against former Detroit mayor
Kilpatrick WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday charged former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and two others with selling their influence.
SEC brings action against Shanghai audit firm
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Wednesday that is implementing an enforcement action against Shanghai-based Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu CPA Ltd.
Union fines worker for working during strike
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - A Honeywell nuclear assembly worker filed a federal charge against the International Association of Machinist Local Lodge 778 on Friday.
Subcommittee to weigh asbestos trust bill
Quayle WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A House subcommittee on Thursday is scheduled to hold a hearing over a proposed bill that would allow defendants in asbestos lawsuits to discover information about a plaintiff's claims against bankrupt companies.
Ariz. AG sues Phoenix towing company
Horne PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against a Phoenix towing company that allegedly engaged in multiple consumer fraud violations, including charging a customer for repairs that were not actually made.
Mo. city must upgrade sewer system
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a settlement on Wednesday with the city of Springfield requiring it to make sewer system improvements to improve water quality in nearby streams.
South Jersey couple settles over modular home business
Chiesa NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced a settlement on Tuesday with a South Jersey couple who allegedly offered a fraudulent investment opportunity.
'Likejackers' take jab at Wash. AG's case
McKenna NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Adscend, the company accused of "likejacking" schemes on Facebook, is drawing attention to the inexpensive nature and lower-key promotion of its settlement with Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna.
EPA issues fracking guidelines draft
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a draft guidance Friday for underground injection control programs for class II wells using diesel fuels during hydraulic fracturing activities.
Village People songwriter wins copyright case
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - The iconic disco song "Y.M.C.A." became a standard for copyright lawsuits Monday as the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California ruled in favor of Village People member Victor Willis in a copyright termination case.
Calif. groups say bill is attempt to overturn SC decision
Steinberg SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Some groups are worried that a bill amended in the California Senate still seeks to overturn an August decision by the state Supreme Court that was a blow to plaintiffs attorneys.
Tenth Circuit: Consumer data trade group has standing to sue N.M. AG
King DENVER (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has sent a lawsuit filed over a new identity theft law in New Mexico back to a district court.
New Jersey recovers $675 from businessman
Chiesa NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced on Monday that the state has recovered $675,000 from a South Jersey businessman who allegedly defrauded consumers out of post-foreclosure funds.
Inmate gets 41 percent of W.Va. vote against Obama
Judd CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A man who sits in a federal prison in Texarkana, Texas, was picked by 41 percent of West Virginia Democrats in Tuesday's presidential primary.