News from February 2024
Oil industry asks SCOTUS to put an end to local government climate change suits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - For the first time, the U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to review the merits of long-running climate change litigation that represents an alliance between personal injury lawyers and government officials nationwide.
Attorney General Moody Launches Cold Case Investigations Unit to Help Florida Law Enforcement with Select Unsolved Cases
Attorney General Ashley Moody has introduced Florida’s Cold Case Investigations Unit to aid law enforcement in solving unsolved homicides. The unit, operating under the Office of Statewide Prosecution, aims to provide support to law enforcement agencies struggling with resources for unsolved cases. Attorney General Moody emphasized the importance of the unit, stating, “Our Cold Case Investigations Unit will serve as a resource to law enforcement agencies statewide to help give select unsolved cases new life.”National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Executive...
Lawsuit blames murder on 'useless' monitoring of domestic violence suspect
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - Vigilnet and an Oregon county outfitted a man arrested for domestic violence with electronic monitoring but failed to take steps to prevent him from committing a murder days later.
San Diego judge slashes 90% off $332M verdict awarded to man in Roundup trial
The judge said $325 million in punitive damages was excessive, compared to the $7 million in compensatory damages the jury awarded plaintiff Mike Dennis. The judge cut punitive damages to $21 million. Monsanto still plans to appeal
Texas Attorney General Secures Conviction and 50-Year Sentence for Child Murderer
Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a 50-year sentence for a murderer who killed a four-year-old child. Ezekiel Ramirez, 29, of Corpus Christi, TX, was sentenced pursuant to a plea agreement to 50 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for Murder in Nueces County, Texas.
Groups take to court to challenge Minn. law penalizing corporate speech about unions
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) - A new law criminalizing corporations that speak to their employees about political issues like labor unions is the subject of a challenge in federal court.
Walmart wins class action over its raw and organic honey
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has rejected class action allegations that Walmart's honey is too hot to be considered organic and raw.
Lawsuit against L.A. over alcohol withdrawal death hits major road block
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - The family of an alcoholic who died in jail from withdrawal will have to fix their wrongful death lawsuit if they want to hold Los Angeles County liable.
Judge in class action: Not reasonable to expect whole fruit in cereal
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawyer is giving up his lawsuit that alleged keto-friendly Catalina Crunch cereals misled consumers.
The Buckeye Institute Argues Against Delegated Legislative Powers to Agencies
Columbus, OH - The Buckeye Institute, in collaboration with the Manhattan Institute, has taken a stand against the delegation of legislative powers to agencies, particularly the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).In the case of Allstates Refractory Contractors v. Su, The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene and ensure that Congress provides clear direction to OSHA on regulating workplace safety. David C. Tryon, director of litigation at The Buckeye Institute, emphasized the shortcomings of the current system,...
Attorney General Ken Paxton Secures Restraining Order Against Frisco ISD to Stop Illegal Electioneering
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has successfully obtained a temporary restraining order against the Frisco Independent School District ("ISD") to halt illegal electioneering activities. The court's decision came after public employees were found to be misusing state resources to influence the ongoing primary elections.Attorney General Paxton took legal action against Frisco ISD on February 28 for using official resources to promote specific policies and political measures, a direct violation of the Texas Election Code. The code explicitly prohibits the use of state or...
Indiana AG sues Apria Healthcare over massive data breach affecting millions
Attorney General Todd Rokita has initiated legal proceedings against Apria Healthcare LLC following a significant data breach that affected over 42,000 residents of Indiana and approximately 1.8 million individuals across the United States. The lawsuit represents an effort to address alleged violations related to patient privacy.
Attorney General Miyares Challenges Biden Administration on Missing Migrant Children
Attorney General Jason Miyares has raised concerns about the treatment of missing migrant children by the federal government, urging for better collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities for the safety and welfare of these vulnerable minors. In a statement, Attorney General Miyares emphasized the importance of addressing the issue promptly, stating, “The missing migrant children are a serious emergency that is being ignored by the federal government. Vulnerable unaccompanied minors are being dropped off in our cities and counties, and local social services...
Attorney General Bonta Issues Warning to Small Banks and Credit Unions: Surprise Overdraft and Returned Deposited Item Fees Harm Consumers
California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued letters to small banks and credit unions warning that overdraft and returned deposited item fees may violate California’s Unfair Competition Law (UCL) and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA). Some financial institutions charge up to $36 or more for each overdraft.
Attorney General Kaul Joins Bipartisan Coalition Urging Congressional Action on Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform
Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to engage in meaningful debate and reform of the current practices of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).
AG Reyes Supports Bipartisan Trafficking Survivors Relief Act
Attorney General Sean D. Reyes joined a coalition of attorneys general in supporting the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Russell Fry of South Carolina.
Maryland Supreme Court holds off-site hearing at St. Mary's College
The Supreme Court of Maryland is set to conduct oral arguments at St. Mary’s College of Maryland on March 5, 2024.
Statement on Guilty Verdict in Montgomery murder trial
Attorney General John M. Formella issues the following statement about the guilty verdict today in the Montgomery murder trial.
Attorney General Ken Paxton Secures Injunction Against Castleberry ISD for Illegal Electioneering
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured an agreed injunction with Castleberry Independent School District (“ISD”) after suing the district for illegal electioneering.In response to the legal action, Castleberry ISD agreed that the superintendent and all employees would refrain from using any funds or resources, including emails, to engage in illegal electioneering. Paxton filed the lawsuit after the superintendent of Castleberry ISD allegedly distributed a list of political endorsements and instructed the district’s administration to “vote accordingly,” a clear...
AG Henry Announces Collaboration with the U.S. Department of Labor to Bolster Protections for Workers in Pennsylvania
Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the formal continuation of an ongoing partnership between the Office of Attorney General and the United States’ Department of Labor.