News from July 2013
Missouri AG files lawsuit against Branson vacation telemarketing firms for no call violations
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a lawsuit Thursday against two Branson vacation telemarketing firms and their owner for allegedly calling Missourians on the state's no call list.
N.C. AG announces approval of bill to reduce healthcare costs
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced the passage of a bill Thursday by the General Assembly that would reform hospital debt collections, fight rising healthcare costs and make medical bills simpler.
Ky. AG announces temporary injunction against monument seller
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway announced Thursday that his Office of Consumer Protection obtained a temporary injunction against a Central Kentucky seller and installer of cemetery monuments and headstones.
Union Carbide seeks transfer of asbestos mass tort claim in Philly
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) -- Attorneys for Union Carbide Corp. have petitioned the federal court in Philadelphia for a transfer of an asbestos mass tort claim that was brought last month by a Florida woman at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.
Va. AG wants to use fraud settlement money to shore up retirement funds
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli this week requested that the U.S. Treasury Department release $30 million of the $115 million due to the state for the attorney general's office's role as the lead investigator into a Medicaid fraud settlement.
Report: Former Public Regulation Commissioner drops out of N.M. AG race
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) -- Former Public Regulation Commissioner Jason Marks reportedly has dropped out of the race to become New Mexico's next attorney general.
Analysis: U.S. SC's recent term mostly good for business
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Supreme Court's recent term was mostly good for business, according to an analysis released this week.
Groups want U.S. SC justices to post annual financial disclosure forms
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A coalition of advocacy groups want U.S. Supreme Court justices to make information about their personal finances more available and accessible to the public.
Federal judge upholds SEC rule on 'conflict minerals'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A federal judge earlier this week upheld a rule adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and mandated by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, requiring companies to publicly disclose their use of so-called "conflict minerals."
Former OSHA director testifies for Garlock in bankruptcy case
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) -- Garlock Sealing Technologies called the former director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to testify on its behalf Thursday in federal bankruptcy court.
Report: Harris continues probe of San Diego company's for-profit, online colleges
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- California Attorney General Kamala Harris asked a state court this week to enforce a previous subpoena for information from a San Diego company about its two for-profit, online colleges.
N.Y. AG settles with allegedly price gouging gas retailer
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement Wednesday with a major gasoline wholesaler and retailer for allegedly charging unconscionably excessive prices at six stations after Hurricane Sandy.
Texas AG announces $1.4 million settlement with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced a $1.4 million settlement on Wednesday with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Inc. to resolve allegations of Medicaid fraud.
N.J. AG announces $1 million settlement with online ad company
NEWARK (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Acting Attorney General John Hoffman announced a $1 million settlement on Thursday with an online advertising company that allegedly used hidden JavaScript code to bypass the privacy settings of consumers' web browser.
Indiana AG files $83,555 lawsuit against former school treasurer
ROCKPORT, Ind. (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced a lawsuit Friday against a former extracurricular school treasurer in Spencer County who allegedly misappropriated school funds.
Mass. AG gets $125,000 court order against fundraising company
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced Wednesday that the founder of a professional fundraising company was ordered to pay $125,000 in civil penalties to resolve allegations of using deceptive tactics.
Md. high court rules against Ford in lawsuit over asbestos from brake products
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) -- Maryland's highest court on Thursday mostly upheld a trial court's ruling in a lawsuit filed against Ford Motor Company over asbestos-laden dust from the company's brake products.
Sixth Circuit reinstates class action against Whirlpool over washing machines
CINCINNATI, Ohio (Legal Newsline) -- A federal appeals court has reinstated a class action lawsuit filed against Whirlpool Corp. by hundreds of thousands of consumers complaining of moldy odors in their front-loading washing machines, made by the company.
Ballot initiative to adjust non-economic damages in med mal cases sent to Calif. AG
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) -- A ballot initiative that potentially would undermine California's Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act was submitted to California Attorney General Kamala Harris for title and summary Wednesday.
Garlock asbestos estimation trial resumes in N.C.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) -- The estimation trial to determine the extent of liability a company that manufactures gaskets owes claimants exposed to asbestos from its products has resumed with expert witnesses called to the stand.