News from March 2013
R.I. AG: Legislation requires loan servicers to engage in conciliation process
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin has filed legislation requiring mortgage service providers to "participate in good faith" in a conciliation process administered by a federally-approved independent agency.
Credit card companies call Hawaii AG's petition for appeal weak
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) -- A group of credit card issuers say Hawaii Attorney General David Louie has no grounds to file an interlocutory appeal with a federal appeals court, calling the attorney general's arguments "piecemeal."
Former Pa. governors back judicial merit selection
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- Three of Pennsylvania's former chief executives took part in a conference call with reporters on Monday to discuss their collective support for a move toward judicial merit selection.
U.S. SC rules against class-action lawyers in case over monetary stipulation
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Supreme Court has shot down efforts by plaintiff lawyers to place monetary limits on class action lawsuits in an effort to keep the lawsuits in "hellhole" or plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions.
Mich. AG announces opposition to new BCBSM conversion laws
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced his opposition Monday to new laws governing the conversion of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan over concerns of rate increases for seniors.
N.J. AG announces temporary gaming regulations for Atlantic City casinos
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa and the Division of Gaming Enforcement announced the temporary adoption Monday of regulations authorizing Atlantic City casinos to offer their patrons fantasy sports tournaments.
Mo. AG announces $67,000 Medicaid settlement with adult daycare
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a $67,000 settlement Monday with a Kansas City-based adult daycare to resolve allegations that it charged Missouri's Medicaid program for services it did not provide.
N.J. AG announces agreement with pharmacy
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa says a Tinton Falls-based pharmacy agreed to temporarily stop all pharmacy operations after the pharmacy voluntarily recalled bags of intravenous magnesium sulfate solution.
Ill. AG warns consumers about high cost tax refund offers
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has issued a warning to consumers about the high cost of tax-refund anticipation products as the deadline for filing annual tax returns approaches.
Railroad withdraws motion asking asbestos attorneys to pay appeal fees; resolved out of court
NATCHEZ, Miss. (Legal Newsline) -- The railroad that won a fraud case against a pair of Mississippi asbestos attorneys has withdrawn its request for attorneys fees.
AGs want head of federal housing agency replaced
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A group of nine state attorneys general are calling for new, permanent leadership at the federal agency overseeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Md. AG issues cease and desist order against offshore internet investment scheme
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler announced Friday that his office's Securities Division issued a summary order to cease and desist against an international internet company that allegedly offered fraudulent investments.
Alaska AG reaches settlement with German ferry engine maker
JUNEAU, Alaska (Legal Newsline) - Alaska Attorney General Michael Geraghty announced the approval of a settlement Thursday with a German engine manufacturer and its U.S. affiliate to resolve allegations of faulty design in the state's fast ferries.
Koster sues Tennessee-based telemarketers
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a lawsuit Friday against a Tennessee-based telemarketing company and its CEO for allegedly engaging in multiple violations of Missouri's no-call law.
N.H. AG settles with oil distributor
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney and Department of Environmental Services Commissioner Thomas Burack announced the approval of a $41,615 settlement Friday with an oil distributor to resolve allegations of an oil spill.
Mo. AG reaches settlement with vehicle service contract seller
ST. CHARLES, Mo. (Legal Newsline) - Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced a $53,000 settlement Friday with the owners of a former St. Charles-based auto service contract business to resolve allegations of deceptive practices.
Federal judge gives Ky. AG more time to file replies in challenge over attorneys contract
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) -- A federal judge has granted Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway's request for more time to file replies in a lawsuit filed by Merck & Co. over the state's contract with private attorneys.
Mich. AG applauds federal court order blocking contraception mandate
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said a federal court's ruling last week blocking the implementation of a controversial contraception mandate is a "win" for religious liberty.
AGs call on Congress to curb for-profit college recruiting abuses
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A group of 14 state attorneys general have sent a letter to members of Congress, urging them to support legislation that would crack down on the for-profit school industry's use of federal aid for recruiting, advertising and marketing to students.
Majority of states suing S&P say they're handling case in-house
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The majority of a group of states suing Standard & Poor's Rating Services say they are not using outside counsel to pursue the case, according to an informal survey.