News from May 2012
Seventh Circuit slams door on shareholder lawsuit against Zimmer
Easterbrook CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Zimmer Holdings, the maker of a hip replacement device, did not mislead its investors about problems associated with its product, a federal appeals court has ruled.
Pa. SC justice's sister resigns ahead of corruption sentencing
Orie HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania state Sen. Jane Orie resigned Monday ahead of her sentencing next month for using state employees for political work.
Pa. charter school teachers vote against unionization
WAYNE, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The faculty of a charter school in suburban Philadelphia voted last week against joining the Pennsylvania State Education Association despite an aggressive organizing campaign waged by the union.
Five Kan. SC justices step aside in Kline disciplinary case
Kline TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Five Kansas Supreme Court justices have recused themselves from a disciplinary case against former state Attorney General Phill Kline.
N.J. committee unanimously approves class action reform
Chiusano TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The New Jersey Assembly Judiciary Committee on Monday unanimously approved a bill that would change how class action lawsuits proceed.
NYU report: Environmental jobs claims often made 'out of context'
Livermore NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A think tank affiliated with New York University School of Law has issued a report that "takes aim at the confusing debate over jobs and environmental regulation."
Abbott says he can't resolve dispute over racing funds
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, in an opinion issued last week, said he cannot resolve a "factual dispute" between two state officials over funds going toward Formula One races held in Austin starting this year.
Labor board suspends implementation of new rule
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The National Labor Relations Board announced Tuesday that it will suspend implementation of its controversial new unionization election rule.
Group of states file brief to U.S. SC to uphold Mont. election law
Schneiderman WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, on behalf of a coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia, has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a Montana election law.
SEC charges N.J. man with real estate investment scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday charged a New Jersey man with operating a Ponzi-like investment plan.
Ga. AG takes action against payday lenders
Olens ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - Georgia Attorney General Samuel Olens announced on Friday that he has successfully urged several payday lenders that claim to be owned and operated by Native Americans to stop making loans in Georgia.
Fla. business banned in Kansas
Schmidt TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced a court order on Friday against a Florida business, banning it from doing business in the state of Kansas.
N.Y. AG alleges securities fraud
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a civil lawsuit on Thursday against a tax preparer for allegedly abusing his knowledge of his clients' finances to lure unsophisticated investors into high-risk bets.
Pa. SC justice Melvin suspended amid pending charges
Melvin PITTSBURGH (Legal Newsline) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has suspended Justice Joan Orie Melvin in the wake of pending charges that she allegedly used her office staff to perform campaign work.
Mont. AG's brief to U.S. SC over election law due
Bullock WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock is expected to file a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court Friday, asking it to uphold a state election law.
ANPAC group chose to fight rather than settle in Miller County, Ark.
TEXARKANA, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Rather than battle it out in a rural Arkansas court, most insurance companies targeted in a 2005 class action lawsuit forked over millions to settle conspiracy and fraud allegations involving the claims adjusting software Colossus.
Harris joining dispute over city's oil project
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris has reportedly joined a lawsuit against a city's planned oil project.
N.Y. AG files civil suit against tax preparer for alleged Ponzi scheme
Schneiderman NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is suing the owner of a tax-preparation business, who was recently arrested after being indicted on multiple charges of securities fraud, money laundering and grand larceny.
OSHA forms whistleblower protection advisory committee
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Thursday that it will establish a Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee.
Labot Dept. suing Idaho retirement plan administrator
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Department of Labor filed a complaint Wednesday in Idaho federal court against Matthew Hutcheson, alleging he violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.