Law

Washington -- 26 June 2008 -- Legislation to revise U.S. surveillance law survived a key test vote in the Senate Wednesday, despite opposition from some majority Democrats to a provision protecting telephone companies from possible privacy lawsuits. The Senate could give final approval to the bill and send it to President Bush for his signature before a congressional recess next week.

Senators voted 80 to 15 to proceed to the legislation - 20 more than the 60 votes necessary under Senate rules.

The bill, which updates the 1978 Foreign Surveillance Intelligence Act (FISA), would expand the government's powers to eavesdrop on terrorism suspects while at the same time take steps to safeguard civil liberties.    » read more »

June 20, 2008 -- John McCain claims he is following campaign finance laws. But the reality is when it's inconvenient to his campaign, Senator McCain thinks the rules don't apply to him--even going as far as breaking the law. Senator McCain is violating campaign laws by using a corporate jet for campaign events but not reimbursing the corporation for the cost of the trips.

John McCain protesters, Pennsylvania: Photo by Bernard Pollack (CC)    » read more »

Washington -- 23 June 2008 -- A U.S. federal appeals court has struck down the U.S. military's classification of a Guantanamo Bay detainee as an enemy combatant. This is the first time the U.S. court system has overruled the Bush administration's designation of a detainee since the Guantanamo facility began operations in early 2002.

Guantanamo protesters, Barcelona: Photo by Quim (CC)    » read more »

Public Citizen Client Was Blacklisted After Criticizing the Governor

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Commonwealth of Kentucky has settled a lawsuit with a political blogger whose critical comments of then-Governor Ernie Fletcher resulted in the state “blacklisting” all blogs on state-owned computers.

Public Citizen’s client Mark Nickolas, author of the blog BluegrassReport.org, agreed Tuesday to dismiss the suit in the U.S. District Court in Frankfort, Ky. after Kentucky officials approved the settlement agreement. Louisville attorney Jennifer Moore also represented Nickolas.    » read more »

OPEC Operates Illegal Cartel Under International Trade Law

June 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Today, a coalition of eleven Senators led by Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D – NJ) called on the Bush Administration to take action in the World Trade Organization (WTO) against eight Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) by ordering United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Susan Schwab to file a complaint with the WTO.

These eight countries, operating as an illegal cartel, have refused to increase production, reduced the supply of oil on the market and driven up the gas prices that consumers pay at the pump.    » read more »

State’s Lawsuit Alleged Air Emissions at Rothschild Wisconsin Plant Exceeded Permit Limits

June 17, 2008 -- MADISON - The State and the Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC) have agreed to settle a lawsuit alleging multiple violations of state air pollution control laws at Wisconsin Public Service Corporation’s Weston electric generating station in Marathon County, Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today.    » read more »

Defendants Allegedly Violated Consumer Protection, Civil Racketeering Acts

June 17, 2008 -- TRENTON -- New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram filed mortgage fraud lawsuits against 36 defendants charging consumer fraud and civil racketeering by various mortgage brokers, real estate entities and others throughout New Jersey.    » read more »

16 June 2008 -- Thousands of same-sex couples are expected to wed in California following the state's Supreme Court ruling that overturned a ban on gay marriage.

State officials will issue the first marriage licenses at 5pm local time.

In a four to three decision in May, the California Supreme Court ruled against a voter-approved law that restricted marriage to a man and woman.

The court said the state constitution's guarantee of equal rights gives same-sex couples the right to marry.

California voters will have a chance to overturn the court ruling in November when they vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to limit marriage to a man and a woman.

Twenty-seven U.S. states have amended their constitutions to limit marriage to a union between a man and a woman.    » read more »

The court's latest rebuke of Guantanamo Bay won't close the prison down. But it's a step toward curbing Bush's unilateral tactics.

Jun. 13, 2008 | For the third time in four years, the U.S. Supreme Court has slammed the Bush administration's detention policies at Guantánamo Bay – locking up terrorist suspects indefinitely and beyond the law.

Guantanamo protesters, London: Photo by Val Kerry (CC)    » read more »

Expired Milk, Eggs, Medicines, and Baby Formula Found in Scores of CVS and Rite Aid Stores Statewide

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- June 12, 2008 – New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced his office is taking legal action against CVS and Rite Aid pharmacies after a statewide investigation into retail drug stores found the companies sold expired products - including milk, eggs, medicines and baby formula - at stores across New York.    » read more »

June 9, 2008 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, in a formal legal opinion released today, said a state statute - not simply a new regulation - is necessary to prevent Big Oil from blocking its franchisees from offering consumers cash discounts.

Gas prices, Hamden, Connecticut, May 2008: Photo by Anne (CC)

Blumenthal's legal opinion, creating a clear path for immediate legislative action during Wednesday's special legislative session, was issued at the request of Gov. M. Jodi Rell who inquired about Blumenthal's proposed gasoline measures.    » read more »

Washington, D.C., May 30, 2008 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Massachusetts high-tech company Analog Devices, Inc. and its CEO Jerald Fishman for reporting false compensation and related financial information to investors by backdating stock option grants to officers, directors and employees.

Without admitting or denying the SEC's findings, Analog and Fishman agreed to settle charges against them by consenting to the entry of an administrative cease-and-desist order.    » read more »

May 28, 2008 -- Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers today announced a settlement reached with iMergent, Inc., and its subsidiary, Storesonline, Inc., both Delaware-based companies operating out of Utah, for alleged violations of Oregon's Unlawful Trade Practices Act. In an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance (AVC) filed in Marion County Circuit Court, the company agrees to comply with state consumer protection laws and resolve any future complaints.    » read more »

Refund Points to Need for Insurance Law Reform

May 29, 2008 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson and New York State Insurance Department Superintendent Eric Dinallo today announced that Oxford Health Insurance, Inc. has agreed to refund $50 million to approximately 37,000 small businesses in New York City, Long Island and the northern suburbs for overcharging on health insurance policies in 2006.

The refund highlights the need for legislation to reinstate the Insurance Department’s authority to approve rate increases before they go into effect, something the Insurance Department is pursuing this legislative session.    » read more »

NY AG Cuomo Urges Consumers Victimized By Dell’s Deceptive Business Practices To File Complaints Online; Follows Court Decision Requiring Dell to Pay Restitution and Penalties for Negligent Customer Service, False Advertising, and Fraud

NEW YORK, NY (May 28, 2008) - New York Attorney General Cuomo today urged customers who were victimized by Dell’s deceptive and negligent business practices to file complaints at www.NYAGDELL.com, a website devoted exclusively to addressing consumer issues with Dell.    » read more »