News from October 2013
Senate GOP blocks Watt, Millett nominations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked the nominations of U.S. Rep. Melvin Watt to head the Federal Housing Finance Authority and Patricia Millett to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
N.J. AG announces $66,000 settlement with used car dealer
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Acting Attorney General John Hoffman announced a $66,000 settlement Wednesday with a Paterson-based used car dealer to resolve allegations of misrepresenting the condition of vehicles it sold.
Washington AG reports progress on lawsuit against grocers group
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Wednesday that the Grocery Manufacturers Association recently reported $3.8 million in additional contributions against a measure requiring mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods.
Idaho AG announces settlement with White Hat Group
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) - Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden announced a settlement Wednesday with a Boise-based company to resolve allegations the company and its owner engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.
N.Y. AG announces settlement to stop discrimination at mortuary school
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement Wednesday with a Syracuse mortuary school and its president to resolve allegations of sexual harassment of female students and pregnancy discrimination.
Retired SC justice among those to serve on N.J. bar association's judicial task force
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) -- A retired state Supreme Court justice is among those who will serve on a New Jersey State Bar Association task force formed to address the "ongoing threats" to the state's judicial independence.
Ga. AG picks lawyers for water lawsuit
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) -- Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Attorney General Sam Olens announced this week the appointment of special assistant attorneys general to help defend the state in a lawsuit filed by neighboring Florida in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Va. AG candidates still in dead heat in newest poll
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) -- State Sen. Mark Herring, a Democrat, and fellow Sen. Mark Obenshain, a Republican, are in a dead heat in the race for Virginia attorney general, according to a new poll Monday.
Updated: Grassley's Court Efficiency Act has 17 GOP co-sponsors; bill still hasn't moved
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- A total of 17 Senate Republicans now have signed on to U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley's proposed Court Efficiency Act.
Reid: GOP using 'convenient but flawed' arguments to hamstring D.C. Circuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke on the importance of confirming Patricia Millett, one of President Barack Obama's nominees to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
Tennessee AG announces agreement with Nashville auto dealer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper announced an agreement Wednesday with a Nashville auto dealer to resolve allegations of deceptive marketing in regards to a vehicle clearance event.
Ohio AG files lawsuit against operators of optical stores
TOLEDO, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit Tuesday against two Florida companies that operate Stanton Optical for allegedly engaging in multiple violations of state consumer laws.
R.I. AG files lawsuit against I-195 Commission
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission for allegedly violating the Rhode Island Open Meetings Act.
DuPont agrees to settle with feds, W.Va. over alleged Clean Air Act violations
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- This week, the federal Environmental Protection Agency announced that E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, otherwise known as DuPont, has agreed to settle alleged Clean Air Act violations at the company's Washington Works Facility.
Donziger, Ecuadorians file motion to strike former judge's testimony
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) -- The legal team for New York attorney Steven Donziger and the Ecuadorian defendants in Chevron Corp.'s fraud suit have filed a motion to strike the testimony of the company's key witness, former Ecuadorian judge Alberto Guerra.
Housing, civil rights groups continue to push for Watt's confirmation
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Several groups, including housing and civil rights, are calling for U.S. Rep. Melvin Watt's swift confirmation as the new head of the Federal Housing Finance Authority.
Former NLRB member confirmed as board's general counsel
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Richard Griffin, a former member of the National Labor Relations Board, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the board's general counsel.
Maryland's chief judge tours state courts addressing infrastructure concerns
Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera recently visited the Circuit and District Courts in Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington counties.
Watt, Obama's nominee to head FHFA, could face road block
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- U.S. Rep. Melvin Watt's nomination to head the Federal Housing Finance Authority could be delayed even further.
Calif. businessman, in federal lawsuit, says he was duped by Donald Trump, Trump University
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) -- Business magnate Donald Trump is facing another lawsuit against him and his Trump University.