Courts

September 5, 2007 -- ORLANDO – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today addressed attendees of the Department of Children and Families’ Annual Statewide Dependency Court Summit during the opening session of the three-day conference. More than 1,200 individuals from throughout the state’s child welfare system were in attendance, including judges, law enforcement officers, protective investigators, social services professionals, attorneys and volunteers.    » read more »

September 4, 2007 -- Carson City, NV – In a strongly-worded 24 page order, U.S. District Court Judge Roger Hunt denied the Department of Energy's motion for a preliminary injunction on all counts seeking to enjoin Nevada State Engineer Tracy Taylor's order that DOE immediately cease and desist its use of water for a bore hole drilling program at the Yucca Mountain site.    » read more »

Manufactured homes dealer must pay $110,925 in refunds

September 4, 2007 -- Springfield, Mo. — A Springfield manufactured homes dealer has been ordered to refund $110,925 to consumers after accepting payment from customers for homes but failing to deliver them as promised under an amended preliminary injunction obtained today by Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon. Today’s court order in Green County Circuit Court is against Michael Jackson, who does business as Dogwood Homes, and Kay Jackson, who works for the business.    » read more »

Justice Department Files Review of Final Judgements in Microsoft Case

Aug. 30, 2007 -- WASHINGTON —The Department of Justice said today that competition and consumers have benefitted from the final judgements entered because of the Department’s antitrust enforcement efforts against Microsoft. The judgment has protected the development and distribution of middleware -- including web browsers, media players, and instant messaging software -- that has increased choices available to consumers. In a joint filing in the U.S.    » read more »

Association Outlines Serious Concerns with Department of Justice Plan to Certify State Capital Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Aug. 30, 2007--The American Bar Association is taking issue with proposed regulations to implement a statute that offers states a drastically streamlined habeas corpus review in death penalty cases in exchange for improvements in their post-conviction defense process. In comments filed Aug. 25 with the Department of Justice, the ABA said the proposed rule ignores key parts of the authorizing legislation and fails to follow what Congress outlined.    » read more »

August 31, 2007 -- Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers today filed his third settlement agreement with an Oregon retailer for selling prescription-only cosmetic contact lenses without proper qualifications. Named in an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) filed in Marion County Circuit Court are Portland store owners Kim Woon P. and Kim Seung Eun, both of Beaverton, doing business as Mid-K Beauty Supply. The agreement admits no violation of law.    » read more »

August 31, 2007 -- COLUMBUS ~ After thorough consideration and close discussions with the victim’s family, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and Putnam County Prosecutor Gary Lammers will forego any further appeals to a recent federal court ruling overturning the conviction of Scotsman Kenneth Richey for the 1986 arson death of 2-year old Cynthia Collins.

The Attorney General’s Special Prosecutions and Capital Crimes sections have agreed to assist with Putman County in retrying the case in accordance with the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals most recent decision.    » read more »

August 31, 2007, Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today appointed Philip Pallenberg to the Juneau Superior Court. He replaces the Honorable Larry Weeks, who retired.

Pallenberg, 45, has been an Alaska resident for more than 23 years and has practiced law for more than 22 years. He graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1983, and is currently a part-time U.S. Magistrate Judge in Juneau. Before this appointment, Pallenberg’s private practice included criminal law, civil litigation and family law.    » read more »

Aug. 30, 2007 -- AUSTIN – Texas Governor Rick Perry today commuted the death sentence of Kenneth Eugene Foster of San Antonio to life imprisonment after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles (TBPP) recommended such action.    » read more »

29 August 2007 -- Chile's Supreme Court has sentenced a former general to life in prison for human rights abuses during the Pinochet era.

The court issued the life sentence Tuesday for retired General Hugo Salas Wenzel for his role in the murder of 12 youths in mid-June of 1987. The case was known as "Operation Albania."

The court also handed down several other prison sentences in human rights cases from the Pinochet era.    » read more »

Denies preliminary injunction; allows Texas schoolchildren to continue reciting Pledge

August 28, 2007 -- DALLAS – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today prevailed in federal court, where a North Texas couple tried to prevent schoolchildren from reciting the Texas Pledge of Allegiance. A federal district judge ruled against David Wallace Croft and his wife, Shannon, who sought a preliminary injunction because the Texas Legislature recently added the words “one state under God” to the state Pledge. Solicitor General Ted Cruz argued on the state’s behalf.    » read more »

Dann alleges conspiracy with commercial casualty insurers to eliminate competition and mislead customers

August 27, 2007 -- Cleveland -- Following a three year long investigation by his office and the Ohio Department of Insurance, Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann has filed suit against the world’s largest insurance broker, Marsh & McLennan and four of the nation’s largest insurance companies and their subsidiaries for alleged violations of the state’s anti-trust laws.    » read more »

August 27, 2007 -- Kentucky Attorney General Greg Stumbo filed comments today asking the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. to reject a proposed consent decree that would approve Monsanto Company’s acquisition of Delta & Pine Land Company.

General Stumbo noted in the filing that this acquisition will “eliminate competition in agriculture biotechnology and seeds, stifle innovation and product choice, and result in higher prices to U.S. farmers and consumers.”    » read more »

August 24, 2007 -- TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued the following statement regarding the sentencing of John Couey:

“Justice has been done today on behalf of Jessica Lunsford. This tragic set of circumstances reminds us just how important it is to protect our children from those who target them for the most heinous and horrible purposes imaginable. My heart and prayers are with Mark Lunsford, his family and all those affected by this terrible tragedy.”

Source: Florida Attorney General

August 23, 2007 -- HARRISBURG - Two Philadelphia car dealerships entered into a $55,000 settlement agreement with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Civil Rights Enforcement Section for allegedly using discriminatory lending practices against African-American customers.

Attorney General Tom Corbett said the agreement was reached with Springfield Ford, 50 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, and Pacifico Ford, 6701 Essington Ave., Philadelphia. The agreement resolves claims that the two car dealerships violated the Consumer Protection Law and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Act.    » read more »