News from April 2013
Maryland AG issues order against unregistered securities seller
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced a summary order to cease and desist and an order to show cause Wednesday against a Catonsville man and his companies for allegedly selling unregistered securities.
Grassley introduces legislation to reduce seats on D.C. Circuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- During a confirmation hearing Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley announced he is introducing legislation that would reduce the number of judgeships on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 11 to eight.
Ohio AG announces agreement with charitable solicitors
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced an agreement Wednesday with two Columbus men to resolve allegations that they engaged in illegal charitable solicitation activities on behalf of Just 4 Vets.
Ohio AG announces $4.35 million grant to Boys & Girls Clubs
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced the provision of a $4.35 million grant Wednesday to the Ohio Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs for the Great Futures for Ohio's Kids growth program.
Report: Maine AG gives governor's plan to pay back hospitals OK
AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) -- Maine Attorney General Janet Mills has signed off on a plan to pay back the state's more than $480 million hospital debt by restructuring the state's liquor contract.
N.Y. AG left out of Cuomo's public corruption legislation
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week proposed new legislation that would create a new class of public corruption crimes and boost state prosecutors' powers -- all except for Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Council questions N.H. AG nominee
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) -- Joseph Foster, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan's nominee for attorney general, says he would not handle any cases involving clients of his law firm if he becomes the state's top lawyer.
Report: Texas Senate confirms Boyd to state SC
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) -- The Texas Senate has confirmed Jeffrey Boyd, a former aide to Gov. Rick Perry, as a justice on the state's high court.
Audit firms help states land unpaid death benefits
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) -- A few years ago, a group of states began to look into unpaid death benefits from their residents' life insurance policies.
R.I. judge rejects another claim of wrongful foreclosure against MERS
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) -- A Rhode Island Superior Court judge has rejected another multi-count claim of wrongful foreclosure against the national mortgage registry known as MERS.
Mich. appeals court rejects bank's challenge to state's new mortgage loan act
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- The Michigan Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected a constitutional challenge by Wells Fargo Bank to the state's recently passed Nonrecourse Mortgage Loan Act.
Maryland AG won't discuss Angelos' asbestos idea
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - On the heels of a Wall Street Journal editorial questioning the motives behind prominent plaintiffs attorney Peter Angelos' attempt to revive 13,000 asbestos claims, the Maryland Attorney General's office said it would not comment on the matter yet.
Va. AG sues mortgage modification companies
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli announced a lawsuit Tuesday against an Alexandria resident and his two mortgage loan modification companies for allegedly charging illegal advance fees for foreclosure rescue services.
Mass. AG launches education initiative about for-profit school industry
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a new consumer protection campaign Wednesday meant to train consumers about the deceptive marketing practices some for-profit schools use to pursue students.
Wash. AG files consumer protection suit against florist
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed a lawsuit Tuesday against a florist that allegedly violated the Consumer Protection Act by discriminating against a customer on the basis of sexual orientation.
Pa. AG announces settlement with used car dealer
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced a settlement Tuesday with a Philadelphia-area used car dealer to resolve allegations of Consumer Protection Law and Auto Regulations violations.
Newspaper advises D.C. council to give 'thoughtful consideration' to revamping AG's office
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The Washington Post, in an editorial this week, called the D.C. Council's decision to make the district's attorney general elected instead of appointed "ill-advised," and warned the council to be careful in restructuring the office.
Utah AG files response to allegations of election law violations
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) -- Utah Attorney General John Swallow, who is under fire for possible election law violations, has filed a response to the allegations.
Report: Lawmakers shoot down plan to divert funds from Maine AG's office
AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) -- A judiciary committee reportedly has rejected a proposal to take away $300,000 from Maine Attorney General Janet Mills' office.
Koster says he plans to run for governor in 2016
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) -- Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says he intends to run for governor in 2016.