News from September 2013
Ohio AG announces lawsuit against negligent property owner
MANSFIELD, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Mansfield Law Director John Spot announced lawsuits Thursday against an allegedly negligent property owner and his companies to recover demolition costs.
Delaware AG files lawsuit against furniture store
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden announced a consumer fraud lawsuit Thursday against a New Castle County furniture store and its owner for allegedly failing to deliver and charging fees for customer complaints.
Insurer sues Whirlpool, parts supplier over water valves
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) -- A Wisconsin insurer sued Whirlpool Corporation, along with a Texas-based parts supplier, in federal court last week, for money it paid out to several policyholders for water damages to their homes.
Defense bar files brief to U.S. SC in case over national security statute
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- DRI: The Voice of the Defense Bar has filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying a state high court's ruling that a commercial airline is not entitled to immunity in a defamation lawsuit brought against it by one of its pilots should be reversed.
Fla. appeals court says $33M in damages to smoker's widow not excessive
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) -- A Florida appeals court this week denied a tobacco company's request for a new trial in a lawsuit brought against the company by the widow of a former smoker.
Senate panel sets hearing on Wilkins' nomination to D.C. Circuit for next week
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- Robert Leon Wilkins, one of three nominees for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, will testify on Capitol Hill next week.
Texas SC chief justice to retire next month
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) -- Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson announced this week he will leave the bench in October.
CFPB asks federal judge to dismiss suit over alleged 'data mining'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau last week urged a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by a Connecticut attorney and her outsourced support services provider, claiming that the federal agency tried to obtain sensitive bankruptcy information protected by attorney-client privilege.
Wisconsin AG announces $29 million payment by Pharmacia toward judgment
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced Wednesday that Pharmacia Corporation paid $29,453,247 to partially satisfy a judgment entered against it for alleged Medicaid fraud.
Mass. AG announces $8.9 million settlement with Columbia Gas
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced an $8.9 million settlement Wednesday with Columbia Gas to resolve allegations the utility company failed to refund ratepayers for an undisclosed contract payment.
Texas AG announces $5 million recovery of Medicaid funds
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced Wednesday that the state of Texas and the federal government jointly settled with Major Pharmaceuticals Inc. to resolve allegations of Medicaid fraud.
Ohio AG files lawsuit against Heath used car dealer
NEWARK, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Clark Motor Company of Heath and its principals for allegedly failing to deliver motor vehicle titles as required by law.
N.H. AG announces lawsuit against Shell Oil
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) - New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph Foster announced a lawsuit Tuesday against Shell Oil Company to resolve allegations that Shell should have been financially responsible for cleanup at Shell-owned sites.
Arkansas AG announces $20,000 settlement with telecommunications company
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced a settlement Tuesday with a Nevada-based telecommunications company that allegedly billed consumers after they cancelled their long-distance telephone services with the provider.
S&P says DOJ filed suit 'in retaliation' for ratings drop
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) -- The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. and its subsidiary Standard & Poor's Rating Services argue, in a federal court filing this week, that the U.S. Department of Justice's lawsuit against the ratings agency was filed "in retaliation" for its downgrade of the nation's credit rating in 2011.
Amazon explains benefits of eBook price-fixing settlements
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) -- Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, began sending emails to its Kindle customers last week, explaining the benefits of electronic book price-fixing settlements.
AGs 'disappointed' by agency's lack of response to letter over health care exchange concerns
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) -- West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said Wednesday he is disappointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' lack of response to a letter he and 12 other state attorneys general sent last month.
Koster sides with governor, says tax cut bill could trigger refunds
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) -- Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster says a tax cut bill would allow residents to retroactively benefit from a tax reduction.
Maryland Judiciary invites student entries for bookmark art contest promoting peace
The Maryland Judiciary is reaching out to young artists in the state to participate in its annual Conflict Resolution Day Student Bookmark Art Contest.
North Carolina AG announces $2.28M judgment against real estate developers
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced a consent judgment Tuesday against coastal real estate developers and marketers who allegedly overvalued lots at two developments in Carteret and Onslow counties.