News from April 2013
Litigation finance firm says it was misled by Ecuadorian plaintiffs' lawyers
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- The chief executive officer of litigation hedge fund Burford Capital LLC filed a sworn declaration in a New York federal court Wednesday, testifying that a lawsuit filed against Chevron Corp. in Lago Agrio, Ecuador, is tainted by fraud.
Report: Chesley resigns from UC board
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) -- Prominent plaintiffs lawyer Stanley Chesley has resigned from the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees.
Illinois AG announces suit against food processor
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a lawsuit Wednesday against a Bureau County food processor for allegedly discharging wastewater into a local sewer and dumping dairy waste on public property.
Nebraska AG issues consumer alert about tax scam
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning issued a consumer alert Wednesday related to scam artists pretending to be Internal Revenue Service tax agents.
N.J. AG announces Superstorm Sandy price gouging settlements
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced settlements Wednesday with two gas stations to resolve allegations that they unjustifiably and excessively raised fuel prices after Superstorm Sandy.
Oregon AG announces $500M multi-state settlement with Bank of America
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum and Treasurer Ted Wheeler announced a $500 million multi-state settlement Wednesday with Bank of America to resolve a lawsuit against Countrywide Financial Corp.
Mich. appeals court says no-fault insurers entitled to reimbursement
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld a decision awarding workers' compensation benefits to a trucker who was injured while making a delivery and reimbursement to two no-fault insurers for benefits they paid.
Report: Senators approve resolution allowing General Assembly to select AG
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) -- The Tennessee Senate on Wednesday voted to approve a resolution allowing the General Assembly, not the state Supreme Court, to select the state's top lawyer.
Wis. senators to establish federal nominating commission
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin on Wednesday announced their agreement to establish the Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission, in an effort to move federal judicial nominations in the state forward.
N.H. AG nominee approved by state council
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) -- Joseph Foster, New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan's nominee for attorney general, has been approved.
Iowa SC: State can tax traditional phone companies' personal property, but not wireless providers'
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) -- The Iowa Supreme Court ruled last week that the state can legally tax the personal property of traditional telephone companies but not force wireless providers to pay the same taxes.
Calif. AG won't comment on Obama's 'best-looking' comment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- At a news conference earlier this week, California Attorney General Kamala Harris dodged questions about President Barack Obama's praise of her good looks.
Report: Lawyers for suspended Pa. SC justice seeking probation
PITTSBURGH (Legal Newsline) -- Lawyers for suspended Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin are asking she receive a sentence of probation.
Fifth Circuit sides with debt collector
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in a ruling earlier this month, sided with a debt collection agency in a lawsuit filed against it for alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
Calif. AG praises passage of prescription drug legislation by Senate committee
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris praised the passage Monday of a bill she is sponsoring to upgrade California's prescription drug monitoring program by a Senate committee.
Conn. AG posts info from Sandy Hook charities
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein released information Tuesday collected from dozens of charities related to the shooting deaths at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Mo. AG files suit against Washington state company
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a lawsuit Tuesday to stop a business from Washington state from sending allegedly deceptive advertisements to consumers in Missouri.
Iowa AG announces court order against telemarketer
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced a court order Tuesday to bar an Osceola-based telemarketing company and its operators from conducting professional fundraising in Iowa.