News from March 2013
R.I. AG says mortgage transparency bill to be heard
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin announced Tuesday that a proposed bill to be heard before the state Senate and House would increase mortgage transparency and make loan owners more apparent.
Va. AG: Commission set up to expand Medicaid unconstitutional
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, in an opinion issued last week, says lawmakers' method of expanding Medicaid in the state is unconstitutional.
Proposed legislation implementing elected D.C. AG would change structure, power of office
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- District of Columbia Attorney General Irvin Nathan testified Tuesday in favor of expanding his office's subpoena power.
Ill. AG files suit against events scammer
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan said Wednesday she has filed a lawsuit against a man scamming Springfield-area business and residents to pay for sponsorships and tickets to martial arts events.
Report: Bradley doubts Roggensack can fix Wis. SC conflict
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley -- the victim of an alleged attack by fellow Justice David Prosser -- said this week she doubts Justice Patience Roggensack can repair the damage from the fallout of the 2011 incident.
Former Mich. SC justice joins Wayne State faculty
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) -- Former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly has joined the faculty of Wayne State University's law school.
Commission nominates three for vacant seat on Ky. SC
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) -- Kentucky's Judicial Nominating Commission this week sent a list of three nominees to Gov. Steve Beshear to fill a vacant seat on the state's high court.
Report: La. AG advised Jindal to cancel Medicaid contract
BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) -- Louisiana Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell reportedly directed Gov. Bobby Jindal to cancel a Medicaid contract with a Maryland company, pointing to ties to Jindal's current health secretary.
Ohio AG files suit against Chillicothe pole barn business
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit Tuesday against a Chillicothe-based pole barn business and its owner for allegedly violating Ohio's Consumer Sales Practices Act.
Conn. AG advises consumers related to robo-signing settlement
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced Tuesday that two toll-free numbers are available for questions about faulty mortgage documents or field services provided by Lender Processing Services Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Chiesa announces results of Atlantic Co. gun buyback
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced Monday that more than 2,000 guns were turned in by Atlantic County residents during a state-sponsored gun buyback initiative over the weekend.
Conn. AG announces agreement with Branford daycare facility
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced a settlement Monday with a Branford daycare facility that closed its doors in June with little warning to parents who prepaid for services.
Texas AG gets court order against Fla. tax preparer
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced an asset freeze and a temporary restraining order Monday against a Florida-based tax preparation service that allegedly violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Bill would prevent Maine AG from running for higher office while still on the job
AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) -- Maine Attorney General Janet Mills would be prohibited from running for federal office, or governor, if a bill in the state's Legislature passes.
Committee to hear R.I. AG's 'pay-to-play' bill
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) -- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin's legislation prohibiting so-called "pay-to-play" contracts was expected to be heard before a House committee Tuesday.
SEC: Illinois' pension disclosures were misleading
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The State of Illinois is charged with securities fraud for misleading municipal bond investors about the state's plan to fund its pension obligations.
Convicted Pa. SC justice resigns; Corbett calls decision 'correct'
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) -- In a letter to Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett Monday, suspended Justice Joan Orie Melvin resigned her seat on the state Supreme Court.
Mich. SC: Noneconomic damages resulting from real property damage can't be recovered
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- The Michigan Supreme Court ruled last week that plaintiffs suing over negligent destruction of their property cannot recover noneconomic damages.
N.J. AG obtains judgment against moving companies
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced a default judgment Monday against two moving companies that allegedly low-balled moving estimates and held moved possessions hostage if consumers refused to pay significantly more.