News from January 2013
Former Mich. SC justice pleads guilty to bank fraud
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- Former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing bank fraud in connection with property owned in Grosse Pointe Park.
Former broker charged with defrauding investors
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A former executive of the New York-based broker-dealer Jefferies & Co. has been charged with defrauding investors while selling mortgage-backed securities to generate revenue for his firm.
Labor attorney explains Court's NLRB ruling
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - Last week, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals invalidated President Obama's 2012 appointments of three members of the National Labor Relations Board.
Ariz. AG announces two car ad settlements
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne announced two settlements Tuesday related to deceptive automobile advertising practices.
S.D. AG announces Medicaid settlement with doctor
PIERRE, S.D. (Legal Newsline) - South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced a settlement Tuesday with a Sioux Falls doctor who allegedly submitted partially inaccurate claims to Medicaid for reimbursement.
Ohio AG goes after home improvement company
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit Monday against two home improvement contractors who allegedly failed to deliver work on multiple occasions and failed to provide refunds.
Study examines role of state attorneys general in antitrust enforcement
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) -- A study released this month by a Texas-based nonprofit finds that the increased role of state attorneys general in interstate and high-technology antitrust cases is a "costly intrusion into commercial activity that hinders competition."
Alaska SC rejects estate's appeal of insurance decision
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) - The Alaska Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the estate of a man who had turned down GEICO's offer to pay the policy limits, and it affirmed the trial court's decision denying insurance coverage to the deceased while awarding attorneys fees to the insurance company.
Md. AG forms new unit to protect online users' privacy
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) -- Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler announced Monday the formation of a new unit within his office focused on protecting the privacy of online users.
Oklahoma AG challenges federal claims in health care lawsuit
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) -- Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is challenging the federal government's claim that the IRS should not follow provisions in the Affordable Care Act.
Former Ecuadorian judge says he was bribed by Ecuadorians suing Chevron
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- Chevron Corp. has filed whistleblower testimony in federal court revealing that representatives for a group of Ecuadorians plaintiffs suing the company promised a $500,000 bribe to the judge who issued an $18 billion judgment against Chevron.
N.C. AG gets restraining order against alleged pyramid scheme
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced a temporary restraining order Monday that will shut down and freeze the assets of an alleged pyramid scheme in Kentucky.
Conn. AG wins contempt action against property owner
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Daniel Esty announced Friday that the state won a contempt action against the former owner of a contaminated Bridgeport property.
Mass. AG announces $169,000 settlement with landscaper
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a settlement Friday with a Holliston landscaping company that allegedly failed to comply with the state's overtime laws.
Feds: New Utah AG under investigation
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah last week confirmed that newly-elected Attorney General John Swallow is being investigated for allegations that he helped make a federal investigation into a St. George businessman go away.
Minn. AG files suit against wind turbine energy developer
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) -- Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is suing a developer that failed to keep its promises to Minnesota farmers who invested in wind turbine energy systems.
Ark. AG leaves governor's race
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) -- Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has dropped out of the race for governor.
Obama plans to re-nominate Cordray as head of CFPB
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- President Barack Obama says he plans to nominate former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray to continue as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Texas firm at center of asbestos fraud case seeks summary judgment
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) -- A Houston firm alleged to have made inconsistent claims about the origin of a client's mesothelioma is now asking a U.S. bankruptcy court to enter a summary judgment in its favor.