News from August 2013
Report: D.C. firm picked to investigate Utah AG
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) -- Washington, D.C.-based law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has been selected to investigate embattled Utah Attorney General John Swallow.
AGs urge federal judge to return cases against Standard & Poor's to state courts
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- The attorneys general of 15 states want their cases against The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. and subsidiary Standard & Poor's Rating Services returned to their respective state courts.
N.J. AG announces $315,000 settlement with home improvement contractors
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) -- New Jersey Acting Attorney General John Hoffman announced Thursday a $315,000 settlement with the owners of five home improvement contracting companies to resolve allegations of shoddy work and deceptive practices.
Wis. AG announces $48,451 judgment against gas station owner
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced Thursday a judgment against the owner of a Kenosha County gas station to resolve allegations of state environmental law violations.
Mass. AG announces order against owner of Charlestown marina
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) -- Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced Thursday a court order against the owner of Shipyard Quarters Marina in Charlestown to stop a planned eviction of boats and take action to ensure public safety.
Ind. AG announces partnership to block spam callers
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) -- Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced Thursday a partnership with companies that block spam callers in an effort to help Hoosiers avoid receiving unwanted calls.
Conn. SC: State can keep nearly $6M in unclaimed bottle deposits
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) -- The Connecticut Supreme Court this week overturned a nearly $6 million award to beer and soda distributors in a case over unclaimed bottle and can deposits the state made them turn over under a 2009 bill.
R.I. AG announces $200,000 veteran housing grant
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced Wednesday a $200,000 grant to Helping Hands Community Partners to match veterans and low-income families with sustainable housing options.
Minn. SC sides with servers in class action brought over diners who leave without paying
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) -- The Minnesota Supreme Court this week ruled in favor of more than 700 servers, bartenders and security guards in a lawsuit brought against their employers, alleging violations of the state's Fair Labor Standards Act.
Chief judges team up in letter to Biden; say budget cuts hurting federal district courts
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The chief judges of more than 80 federal district courts say they are concerned about the impacts "flat funding" and sequestration are having on the judiciary.
Defense presents first witness in Calif. lead paint trial
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- The defense in a lawsuit against one-time lead paint and pigment manufacturers presented its first witness Thursday.
Federal court grants Primo Water's motion to dismiss class action
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (Legal Newsline) -- A federal judge this week dismissed a federal securities class action lawsuit against a bottled water company.
Okla. AG wins first battle in challenge to implementation of Obamacare
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) -- Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has won the state's first challenge against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, after a federal judge denied the government's motion to dismiss the case.
Texas AG announces $7.5 million judgment against manufacturing facility
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced an agreed judgment Wednesday to resolve allegations of environmental quality law violations against Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corporation.
N.Y. AG announces settlements with 211 contractors over alleged contract violations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced settlements Thursday with 211 home improvement contractors to resolve allegations that they violated the state's Home Improvement Contracts Law.
Missouri AG announces settlement with Michigan company
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster and Secretary of State Jason Kander announced a settlement Thursday with a Michigan company that allegedly misled Missouri businesses into buying corporate filing services.
Delaware AG warns consumers about medical alert device scam
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden warned residents Wednesday about a scam in which callers promise free medical alert devices to consumers.
Florida to file lawsuit in U.S. SC to stop Georgia's 'unchecked' water consumption
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) -- Florida Gov. Rick Scott said this week the state will file a lawsuit in the U.S. Supreme Court over Georgia's water consumption.
Tenn. AG announces settlement with cosmetics manufacturer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper announced a settlement Wednesday with a cosmetics manufacturer that allegedly marketed and sold a product without U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
Mo. House speaker wants AG's opinion on governor's tax cut bill claims
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) -- Missouri House Speaker Tim Jones has asked Attorney General Chris Koster for his legal opinion on claims made by Gov. Jay Nixon that a tax cut bill would allow residents to retroactively benefit from a tax reduction.