News from January 2013
Miss. bill would require more asbestos claim transparency
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) - A bill recently introduced in the Mississippi House of Representatives would require asbestos claimants to disclose dealings with asbestos trusts.
N.H. AG announces Medicaid settlement
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney announced a False Claims Act-related settlement Wednesday with a Nashua-based hospital that allegedly billed Medicaid improperly.
Mass. AG says Monster.com will make site accessible to blind
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General announced on Wednesday that Monster.com will be the first job search and recruitment website to provide blind job seekers with full and equal access to its services and products.
U.S. SC to decide on appeal of Scruggs' son
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Supreme Court soon will decide whether to hear an appeal from the son of Dickie Scruggs.
N.Y. AG announces $100,000 Medicaid settlement with pharmacy owner
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a $100,000 settlement Wednesday with the co-owner of a pharmacy that allegedly overbilled taxpayers for the dispensation of compounded medications containing ketamine.
Fla. SC rules in subcontractor breach case
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The Florida Supreme Court ruled that knowledge that a contractor or subcontractor does not hold the state required license to perform the construction work of the contract does not allow the unlicensed party to establish the defense that the parties stand in pari delicto - as equal wrongdoers.
Hawaii SC clarifies evidentiary standard in medmal case
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) - The Hawaii Supreme Court issued a ruling in a medical malpractice case which clarified the evidentiary standard required for a defendant to be granted summary judgment.
Calif. SC says new wrong resets statute of limitations
SAN FRANCISCO - (Legal Newsline) - The California Supreme Court has ruled that actions under the Unfair Competition Law are subject to the common law rule of accrual which allows that when a new wrong is committed in a recurring wrong, the statute of limitations is reset for the prior wrongs committed.
Report: Perry says Texas AG has agreed not to run against him in GOP primary
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry revealed Wednesday that Attorney General Greg Abbott has agreed not to run against him for governor in 2014.
Va. governor won't say whether Cuccinelli should step down to campaign
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will not take a stance on whether Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli should step down as the state's top lawyer to campaign for governor.
Pa. judges challenging mandatory retirement age in state, federal courts
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- Six Pennsylvania judges are challenging the state's mandatory retirement age, saying it is discriminatory and violates the U.S. Constitution.
Pa. lawmaker proposes bipartisan commission to select candidates to state's high courts
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- One Pennsylvania lawmaker, pointing to the corruption trial of suspended state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, says a judicial merit selection bill would help avoid such future "spectacles."
Mich. AG files brief in support of suit challenging contraception mandate
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging mandatory contraception coverage in President Obama's federal health care law.
Mass. AG settles with Colorado financing provider
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $42,000 settlement Tuesday with a Colorado-based premium financing provider that allegedly prematurely cancelled the financed auto insurance policies of close to 50 Massachusetts consumers.
Mass. AG announces $250,000 settlement with investment broker
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $250,000 settlement with an investment broker to resolve allegations that it used bid-rigging to present interest rates to municipal bond issuers looking to reinvest bond proceeds.
Ariz. SC clarifies Prop 204 decisions
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - The Arizona Supreme Court has released a pair of opinions explaining decisions it made on two actions regarding the state's language describing Proposition 204, a tax initiative which was rejected by the people of Arizona in the November election.
Ohio AG announces deal with auto parts maker
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a consent order Tuesday with Cardington Yukata Technologies, an auto parts manufacturer that allegedly violated state water pollution laws.
Groups ask Senate to withhold Cordray's confirmation as CFPB director
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The Competitive Enterprise Institute, along with a seniors advocacy group, has sent a letter to Congress asking the Senate to withhold Richard Cordray's confirmation as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Va. senator gets Congressman's backing for AG nomination
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Mark Obenshain, one of two Virginia lawmakers vying for the GOP nomination for state attorney general, has the support of U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte.
Pa. AG: $8.6M distributed to municipalities, nonprofits as part of bid-rigging settlement
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane says distribution is "underway" for more than $8.6 million in restitution to state municipalities and nonprofits that were victimized as part of a large-scale bid-rigging case involving major financial institutions.