News from April 2015
Asbestos firm's opposition to releasing clients' information is revealing, Garlock claims
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – Citing a federal judge’s assertion that more discovery into more asbestos cases would reveal more abuse by plaintiffs attorneys, Garlock Sealing Technologies is arguing for just that.
Florida alleges Obama administration uses 'coercion' to expand Medicaid
President Barack Obama is coercing Florida into expanding Medicaid, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
New York collection agency cited for 'inflating' attorneys fees owed
A debt collection agency is being sued over allegations it inflated attorney fees owed by residents in New York who were behind on water and sewer bills.
Comcast cited over 'hidden installation fees'
An Oregon man has sued Comcast, alleging the cable and Internet giant charged him and others hidden fees for home Internet services.
Snack bar maker cited over 'healthy' branded products
A popular snack bar brand faces a lawsuit, alleging the company falsely says its products are healthy.
U.S. House committee approves TROL Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee voted Wednesday to approve the Targeting Rogue and Opaque Letters, or TROL, Act.
Colorado attorney general sends $7.7 million in checks from foreclosure settlement
More than 20,000 checks were sent out by the Colorado Attorney General's Office for homeowners who were charged inflated foreclosure costs by the law firm Aronowitz & Mecklenburg, said state Attorney General Cynthia Coffman.
'Ticket bot' ban bill signed by Washington governor
A new law in Washington state to officially ban “ticket bots,” which are used to purchased large quantities of tickets to popular sporting events and concerts, was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on Tuesday, said state Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
Senators introduce PATENT Act; opponents claim it misses the mark, supporters call it ‘strong’ and ‘balanced’
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced their own legislation aimed at ending patent abuses Wednesday.
U.S. PTO’s patents commissioner set to retire
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Commissioner for Patents Margaret “Peggy” Focarino will retire this summer.
Ala. lawmakers send bill reversing state SC’s ‘innovator liability’ decision to governor
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Alabama lawmakers have passed a bill that would overturn a state Supreme Court ruling that held a brand-name drug manufacturer can be liable for physical injuries caused by a generic drug product that it neither made nor sold.
New lawsuit against Renaissance Rx accuses embattled pharmacogenetics firm of fraud, illegal activity
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – Nearly six months after a multimillion-dollar study was shut down in the face of a Medicare review by the federal government, New Orleans-based pharmacogenetics firm Renaissance Rx is facing new allegations from a Rhode Island doctor that the company funneled fraudulent and illegal Medicare tests through his office without his knowledge.
Maryland expands online access to unreported court opinions
Maryland's Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera has announced a new initiative to enhance online access to the Court of Special Appeals opinions.
New York to help tech start-ups, government entities assist each other
The New York Attorney General's Office has teamed up with two technology clinics in the state to bring technology start-ups and government entities together so that each realm can learn how the other operates, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Friday. Schneiderman and New York City Corporation Counsel Zachary Carter unveiled the partnership with the Brooklyn Law Incubator & Policy Clinic, which is run out of the Brooklyn Law School, and the Tech Startup Clinic, which is operated throug
Massachusetts AG begins to implement new worker sick-time law
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said on Monday that she has filed draft regulations to provide the framework for the Earned Sick Time law that voters approved in November and that takes effect on July 1. The new law will give nearly 1 million Massachusetts employees access to sick leave, Healey said.
Colorado joins lawsuit challenging federal hydraulic-fracturing regulations
Colorado has joined a lawsuit challenging the Federal Bureau of Land Management's new regulations on hydraulic fracturing, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said on Friday. Colorado joins Wyoming and North Dakota in the legal action. The lawsuit asks the court to decide whether the Bureau of Land Management can legally impose its own regulations on hydraulic fracturing.
California AG: College's closure will help cheated students pick up the pieces
Corinthian College's announcement that it will close all of its California campuses is great news for students, California Attorney General Kamala Harris said on Monday, and that the college “continued to deceive its students to the end.” “Closure of these campuses should help students get out from under the mountains of debt Corinthian imposed upon them through its lies,” Harris said.
Arkansas asks EPA to abandon 'regional haze' settlement
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge asked the Environmental Protection Agency on Friday to withdraw a proposed settlement that would obligate the agency to promote a Federal Implementation Plan to address "regional haze" nationwide.
U.S. SC rules against natural gas companies
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that some of the nation’s largest natural gas suppliers can be sued under state antitrust laws for allegedly manipulating prices a decade ago.
U.S. SC still hasn’t decided if it will take up Wis. ‘John Doe’ lawsuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court still hasn’t decided whether it will hear a lawsuit seeking to quash a secret, or “John Doe,” investigation into Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s 2012 recall campaign.