News from September 2012
Report: Judicial candidates spent more than $4.6M in primary TV ads
Davis WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Judicial candidates in Alabama, Illinois, Texas, West Virginia, Arkansas, Montana and Oregon spent nearly $4.7 million in television advertisements this primary season, according to a report released Thursday by two legal reform groups.
Ga. SC: Suit over gunshot injuries not barred by workers' comp provision
Nahmias ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - The Georgia Supreme Court this week sided with an employee who was accidentally shot in the leg by a co-worker, saying the co-worker was acting as a "third-party tort feasor," not an "employee of the same employer," at the time of the injury.
Colo. SC: Former professor not entitled to reinstatement
Bender DENVER (Legal Newsline) - The Colorado Supreme Court this week rejected an appeal by a former University of Colorado professor seeking to get his job back.
Iowa AG announces penalty over hog manure
Miller SPENCER, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced a $15,000 penalty on Tuesday against a Clay County hog producer for allegedly engaging in an illegal manure application incident that killed fish.
Ohio AG suing boys camp
DeWine CALDWELL, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services filed a complaint on Wednesday against a Summerfield camp for allegedly operating without a license.
Wash. health club to pay $20K civil penalty
McKenna SPOKANE, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna announced a consent decree on Wednesday with a Liberty Lake health club that allegedly violated state consumer protection laws.
Ohio SC orders board to replace amendment's ballot language
O'Connor COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - The Ohio Supreme Court, in a ruling late Wednesday, granted a writ of mandamus sought by proponents of a proposed constitutional amendment, which seeks to change the way in which state and federal legislative districts are drawn.
Man who created Obama image sentenced for contempt
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The artist who in 2008 created a famous picture of Barack Obama using the words "Hope" and "Progress" to support his presidential election was sentenced Friday.
Mass. National Guard settles with EPA
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - The Massachusetts National Guard and the Environmental Protection Agency have resolved allegations of violations of operations and maintenance requirements for three firing ranges at Camp Edwards, Mass., Military Reservation.
Ala. employee pleads guilty to identity theft
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - An Alabama state employee pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges of conspiring to defraud the United States by filing false claims, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, the Department of Justice announced.
Group says Obama administration officials skirting FOIA laws
Obama WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Competitive Enterprise Institute has filed a lawsuit alleging an Obama administration official is using a private email account to evade Freedom of Information Act requests.
Ore. AG to present funds from Ariz. telemarketer
Rosenblum SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced on Tuesday that she will present $11,500 to the victim of a Arizona telemarketing scam that preyed on the elderly.
Judgment entered against Mass. emissions inspectors
Coakley BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a final judgment on Sept. 5 against a motor vehicle emissions inspector who allegedly issued dozens of inspection stickers that were fraudulent.
Twelve states settle with U.S. Fidelis
Schmidt TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced a multi-state settlement on Wednesday with a vehicle service contract seller to resolve allegations that the company used illegal marketing tactics.
Service dog trainer suing N.Y. AG, governor for $75M
Schneiderman ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A New York service dog trainer, in a federal court filing earlier this month, contends Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is discriminating against him.
La. AG opposes proposed BP settlement of oil spill claims
Caldwell NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, in a motion filed in federal court late last week, opposes an estimated $7.8 billion deal between BP and a committee representing plaintiffs over claims related to the 2010 Gulf oil spill.
Report: Texas AG has spent $2.5M suing federal government
Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed more than 20 lawsuits against the federal government since President Barack Obama was elected in 2008.
Poll: Ferguson leads Dunn in Wash. AG race; Inslee ahead of McKenna
Ferguson OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Democrat Bob Ferguson is leading GOP opponent Reagan Dunn in Washington's attorney general race, according to a recent survey.
UBS whistleblower to receive $104M
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Former UBS banker Bradley Birkenfeld has been given the putative largest whistleblower reward ever by the Internal Revenue Service.
Calif. painters have union decertified
Mix SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - Local union officials are being forced to cede control of Santa Ana, Calif.'s GPS Painting and Wallcovering employees.