News from 2012
Mo. AG sues three mortgage rescue companies
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed three separate lawsuits on Wednesday against individuals and their companies for allegedly misleading consumers with mortgage-modification schemes.
Former Pa. AG nominated to serve on securities commission
Pappert HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett announced Wednesday that he has nominated former Attorney General Jerry Pappert to serve on the state Securities Commission.
Sixth Circuit: Cleveland v. Wall Street filed with 'frustrated regulatory intent'
Moore CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - A lower court was wrong to dismiss Chase Bank's challenge of litigation filed against it by the city of Cleveland over subprime mortgages, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has ruled.
Chiesa resolves price-gouging allegations against gas station
Chiesa NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced a settlement on Wednesday with a Branchville Lukoil gas station to resolve allegations of price gouging.
Madigan reaches agreement over alleged computer-spying
Madigan CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced an agreement on Tuesday between her office, the Federal Trade Commission and an Illinois company that allegedly used computer software to spy on consumers who rented laptops.
Md. SC orders new trial in suit against gas station owner
Greene ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) - The Maryland Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a trial judge's refusal to permit a requested question be included on a special verdict sheet, asking the jury to consider assumption of the risk defense, constitutes reversible error.
Fed judge sends out-of-state claims back to W.Va. court
Chambers HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has remanded 18 cases filed by minors who claim they suffered birth defects as a result of their mothers' use of Pfizer's prescription drug Zoloft.
W.Va. SC: Steel company's coil inventory exempt from tax
Benjamin CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that a Northern Panhandle steel company's inventory of coils is exempt from a state property tax.
Final provisions of Harris' bill of rights signed into law
Harris SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - The final components of the California Homeowner Bill of Rights have been signed into law, state Attorney General Kamala Harris announced Tuesday.
W.Va. elections board won't appeal public financing ruling
Loughry CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - The West Virginia State Elections Commission on Tuesday voted not to appeal the state Supreme Court's recent ruling on the public financing pilot project for the current Court race.
United States must pay Puerto Rican who fell off mower
HATO REY, Puerto Rico (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has awarded a Puerto Rican man who tried to drive a lawn mower up two planks and into a pickup truck $18,750 in a lawsuit against the United States government.
Va. SC reinstates $2M pre-death suffering award in asbestos case
Lemons RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - The Virginia Supreme Court has reinstated a $2 million award it struck down earlier this year in an asbestos lawsuit against John Crane, Inc.
Mo. AG settles with Carsafe
Koster JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a $22,500 settlement on Tuesday with Carsafe LLC to resolve allegations of deceptive sales techniques.
N.Y. AG announces another synthetic drugs ban
Schneiderman SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a consent order and judgment on Tuesday against the Syracuse-based Twisted Headz and its owner that permanently removes synthetic drugs from the store's shelves.
Judge dismisses N.Y. AG's fracking suit against feds
Schneiderman BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has dismissed New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Fla. GOP against retention of three SC justices
Lewis TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida's Republican Party last week voted to oppose the retention of three state Supreme Court justices, calling them "too extreme."
U.S. SC upholds W.Va. congressional redistricting
Tomblin WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The United State Supreme Court on Tuesday reversed a lower court ruling, saying the congressional redistricting plan adopted by West Virginia leaders last year is fine.
Fifth Circuit reverses self in Katrina case against army engineers
Smith NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has reversed itself in a Hurricane Katrina case over the liability of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Alaskan village loses global warming appeal over eroding coastline
Thomas SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has ruled that an Alaskan village can't sue several power companies for coastline damage it says was caused by global warming.
Chiesa announces settlement with Global Travel Solutions
Chiesa NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced a settlement on Friday with a vacation club and its owner to resolve allegations of defrauding consumers.