Griffon subsidiary receives $7 million Navy work AP (November 23, 2009) FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) - A subsidiary of Griffon Corp., a communications and electronic information business, said Monday it has received a $6.9 million contract to manufacture communications support systems for U.S. Navy helicopters.
GM sues over millions spent on steering repairs AP (November 23, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - General Motors Co. has sued a supplier, saying it has spent more than $30 million fixing problems in the steering systems of the Chevrolet Cobalt, it's best-selling small car, and other vehicles.
Prosecutors blame Petters for $3.5B fraud AP (November 23, 2009) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A federal prosecutor has asked a jury to hold Minnesota businessman Tom Petters responsible for a massive fraud at his company.
GM sues over millions spent on steering repairs AP (November 23, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - General Motors says it's costing tens of millions of dollars to repair shaky steering columns in its best-selling small car and other models.
Resumption of Ariz. session special delayed AP (November 23, 2009) PHOENIX (AP) - The Arizona Senate has delayed a special session focused on the state's budget troubles that was set to resume on Monday morning.
Feds, Pa. county sue company over slag dumping AP (November 23, 2009) NATRONA, Pa. (AP) - The federal government and the Allegheny County Health Department have sued Allegheny Ludlum Corp. and a contractor for alleged air pollution violations at a slag dump near Pittsburgh.
Tenn. lawmaker: No consensus on special session AP (November 23, 2009) NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Tennessee House Speaker Kent Williams says there's no consensus among lawmakers about whether to call a special legislative session next month to delay a workers compensation law.
Pension drops lawsuit against ACS over Xerox buy AP (November 23, 2009) NORWALK, Conn. (AP) - Xerox Corp. said Monday that a pension fund has dropped a lawsuit over provisions in the copier company's purchase of Affiliated Computer Services Inc. that would have made it tough for a better buyout offer to succeed.
Cadbury shares rise on report of Nestle interest AP (November 23, 2009) LONDON (AP) - Shares in British chocolate maker Cadbury PLC hit their highest level in at least five years Monday on reports that another rival, Switzerland's Nestle SA, may make a takeover bid.
Economic survey: Job losses to bottom out in 1Q AP (November 23, 2009) (AP) - Economists expect the joblessness that has weighed down the nation's economic recovery will start to slowly abate in 2010, but they predict consumers will continue to keep a tight rein on spending, according to a new survey.
Chinese critic on quake response gets 3 years AP (November 23, 2009) BEIJING (AP) - A Chinese dissident was sentenced Monday to three years in prison after criticizing the government's response to the 2008 Sichuan earthquake that killed about 90,000 people.
Canadian woman loses benefits over Facebook photo AP (November 23, 2009) BROMONT, Quebec (AP) - A Canadian woman on sick leave for depression says she lost her benefits after her insurance agent found photos of her apparently having fun on Facebook.
US details assets seized from Fla. lawyer AP (November 23, 2009) MIAMI (AP) - A sports car worth nearly $2 million, an 87-foot yacht and a guitar collection worth as much as $20,000 were among the assets seized from a South Florida lawyer suspected of operating a massive fraud scheme, according to a court filing Monday.
NY's top court rejects prison phone rate refunds AP (November 23, 2009) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York's highest court ruled Monday that families forced to pay high phone rates to talk to relatives in state prison won't receive refunds for the cost.
Canada woman to fight insurance co. over Facebook AP (November 23, 2009) MONTREAL (AP) - A Canadian woman on sick leave for depression said Monday she would fight an insurance company's decision to cut her benefits after her agent found photos on Facebook of her vacationing, at a bar and at a party.
Ky. court upholds $6M verdict in strip search case AP (November 20, 2009) LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A Kentucky appeals court upheld a $6.1 million award to a former fast food worker who was forced to strip in a McDonald's restaurant office after someone called posing as a police officer.
Investors sue Fla. lawyer in fraud probe for $100M AP (November 20, 2009) MIAMI (AP) - Investors claiming they were fleeced by a high-profile South Florida attorney filed a $100 million lawsuit Friday contending that the lawyer orchestrated a massive Ponzi scheme with the help of a Canadian bank's U.S. subsidiary and several accomplices.
Former Iowa slaughterhouse manager seeks acquittal AP (November 20, 2009) IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - A former kosher slaughterhouse manager convicted of financial fraud has asked for an acquittal or new trial, saying prosecutors unfairly brought in evidence of immigration violations.
Idaho gets $115,000 from Sanofi-Aventis settlement AP (November 20, 2009) BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho's Medicaid Division is getting nearly $115,000 as its share from a nationwide settlement with French drug giant Sanofi-Aventis.
3 charged in Pa. with redirecting Comcast traffic AP (November 19, 2009) PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Federal prosecutors have charged three men with diverting traffic from the Web site of Philadelphia-based telecommunications provider Comcast Corp.
US charges firms defrauded deaf phone fund AP (November 19, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal prosecutors have charged more than two dozen people with scheming to steal millions from a telephone program for the deaf.
Currencies trader sentenced to 24 years for fraud AP (November 19, 2009) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - A foreign currencies trader who cheated investors in more than 20 states to support a lavish lifestyle and buy presents for a girlfriend has been sentenced to 24 years in prison.
2 arrested in taped assaults posted on YouTube AP (November 18, 2009) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Police in Minnesota have arrested two people in connection with assaults that were videotaped and briefly posted on YouTube.
Ex-Alaska lawmaker wants conviction dismissed AP (November 18, 2009) ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A lawyer for a former state lawmaker argued Tuesday that his client's corruption conviction should be thrown out because the same federal prosecutors in former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens' case withheld evidence in his trial.
NJ cops: Driver texting about drug deal hits biker AP (November 18, 2009) MEDFORD, N.J. (AP) - Police say a man who drove his car into a New Jersey cyclist had been sending a text message about a drug deal.
NJ man sentenced in Scientology cyber attack AP (November 18, 2009) NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey man will serve a 366-day federal prison term for conducting a cyber attack on Church of Scientology Web sites in January 2008.
Law firm sues Rod Stewart for $3.3 million AP (November 18, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A prominent entertainment law firm is suing Rod Stewart for $3.3 million in legal fees it claims he owes.
Drilling co. ordered to give up employment records AP (November 18, 2009) DENVER (AP) - A Houston-based oil and gas drilling company facing complaints of racial discrimination has been ordered to turn over its personnel records as part of an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigation.
Judge hears arguments on RI house sticker law AP (November 18, 2009) BRISTOL, R.I. (AP) - A lawyer for University of Rhode Island students has asked a judge to strike down a law allowing police in a beach town to place stickers on homes that host loud parties.
Idaho to pay $50K to settle grazing lease lawsuit AP (November 18, 2009) BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Idaho agreed Tuesday to pay $50,000 and pledged to follow anti-discrimination rules to settle a federal lawsuit against state officials who awarded grazing leases to ranchers, not the environmentalist who had offered more money.
Medicare fraud suspect caught after 2 years on lam AP (November 17, 2009) MIAMI (AP) - A Miami man accused of bilking Medicare out of millions of dollars has been arrested in Ecuador two years after he allegedly fled.
Govt may get billions under Forbes' divorce decree AP (November 17, 2009) BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - The federal government might get to collect billions of dollars in court-ordered restitution under a new divorce decree between imprisoned former Cendant Corp. chairman Walter Forbes and his wife of 27 years.
Woman sues RR for injuries while taking pictures AP (November 17, 2009) JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Helen Gable was taking pictures on the railroad tracks in Tupelo in 2006 when a train nearly cut off her leg as she tried to get out of the way.
Swiss court to rule in 2-3 weeks on Polanski bail AP (November 17, 2009) BELLINZONA, Switzerland (AP) - Swiss officials say a court will decide in two or three weeks whether to release film director Roman Polanski on bail pending a decision on his extradition to the United States.
NYPD raids circulation offices of 4 NYC newspapers AP (November 17, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - A law enforcement official says the New York Police Department raided circulation offices at some of the nation's largest newspapers as part of a union corruption probe.
W.Va. Supreme Court opts for e-mail privacy AP (November 13, 2009) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The state Supreme Court has ruled that public officials and public employees can keep their personal e-mails private.
TV's Jon Gosselin sues TLC, cites child labor laws AP (November 13, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Jon Gosselin has filed a counter lawsuit against the TLC network, claiming television producers violated Pennsylvania's child labor laws in filming the hit reality show "Jon & Kate Plus 8" and are preventing him from working.
Judge sentences Wis. man for defrauding NY Times AP (November 13, 2009) MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A former New York Times distributor has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for defrauding the newspaper company out of $334,000.
Ex-congressman gets 13 years in freezer cash case AP (November 13, 2009) ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A former Louisiana congressman who famously stashed cash in his freezer was sentenced Friday to 13 years in prison for taking hundreds of thousands in bribes in exchange for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa.
Ex-Lockheed engineer claims F-22 tech 'defective' AP (November 11, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - A former engineer for defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. claims in a federal whistleblower lawsuit that the company knowingly used "defective" stealth coatings when building its F-22 Raptor stealth jets.
Toy maker settles sex harassment suit against CEO AP (November 11, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - German toy maker Steiff has settled an $80 million lawsuit filed in June accusing the company's CEO of conducting a yearslong campaign of unwelcome advances toward a U.S. marketing executive and raping her, a lawyer for the company said Wednesday.
AG says Utah agrees to $24M Zyprexa settlement AP (November 11, 2009) SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Utah has agreed to a $24 million settlement with Eli Lilly & Co. over claims the drugmaker engaged in off-label marketing of the anti-psychotic drug Zyprexa, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said Wednesday.
Denver man accused in $12.5 million Ponzi scheme AP (November 11, 2009) DENVER (AP) - A Denver man allegedly defrauded people in a national Ponzi scheme involving more than $12 million that was supposed to go real estate investments, the Colorado securities commissioner said.
Ex-Hyundai executive pleads guilty in fatal crash AP (November 11, 2009) SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A former Hyundai Motor America executive has pleaded guilty to felony vehicular manslaughter in a drunken driving crash that killed a motorcyclist in Orange County.
Judge denies Heartland restraining order request AP (November 11, 2009) PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey federal judge denied a request by payment processor Heartland Payment Systems Inc. for a temporary restraining order against VeriFone Holdings Inc. for allegedly misleading customers about their legal spat, the companies said Wednesday.
AP: Pa. music church settles suit, bans concerts AP (November 10, 2009) BEARS ROCKS, Pa. (AP) - The leader of a western Pennsylvania church is settling a federal lawsuit by pulling the plug on jam band concerts he says were religious services.
Conn. judge: Release church abuse papers by Dec. 1 AP (November 10, 2009) WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) - A Connecticut judge has ordered the release of thousands of documents connected to sexual abuse lawsuits involving Bridgeport's Roman Catholic Diocese.
VA pays to settle lawsuit over Mich. vet's death AP (November 10, 2009) DETROIT (AP) - The federal government has agreed to pay $218,500 to settle a lawsuit over the fatal drug overdose of a young Michigan veteran who served as a U.S. Marine in Iraq.
Wash. pair plead not guilty to streaming sex abuse AP (November 10, 2009) SEATTLE (AP) - A couple in Washington state have pleaded not guilty to charges that they streamed their sexual abuse of a 4-year-old girl over the Internet.
NJ man sues FBI over his detention in Ethiopia AP (November 10, 2009) TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A New Jersey man detained for months in Ethiopia on allegations of supporting Islamic militants is suing the FBI agents involved in his interrogations.
Calif. doc pleads not guilty to molesting patients AP (November 10, 2009) STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) - A California plastic surgeon accused of molesting dozens of patients, many while unconscious, has pleaded not guilty to 64 felony sex charges.
Ex-NYC top cop out of jail for holidays AP (November 10, 2009) WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) - Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, the one-time candidate for Homeland Security chief whose admitted his guilt to federal crimes, has left jail after a judge said he could be released for the holidays.
Judge throws out LA deal for digitizing billboards AP (November 05, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A judge overturned a settlement allowing major outdoor advertising companies to convert more than 800 billboards in Los Angeles into digital displays, but declined to revoke permits already granted for about 100 conversions.
Judge won't bar new federal tobacco marketing regs AP (November 05, 2009) RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A federal judge ruled Thursday that tobacco companies hoping to block new restrictions on their marketing have little chance of succeeding.
Court rules Tyson Foods to pay $250K in labor suit AP (November 05, 2009) BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - A federal court has ruled that Tyson Foods Inc. violated federal labor standards for not paying production line employees for the time it takes them to put on and remove protective and sanitary gear.
Court worries about stifling prosecutors AP (November 04, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed worried that allowing people to sue prosecutors who fabricate evidence to win convictions might chill other prosecutions - even if those prosecutors are doing their jobs correctly and honestly.
NY prosecutors ask billionaire's bail stay high AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Federal prosecutors in New York say a billionaire hedge fund manager charged in a $25 million insider trading case must remain held under a $100 million bail because he has the money and the incentive to flee.
NY joins the antitrust effort against Intel AP (November 04, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - New York's attorney general hit Intel Corp. with an antitrust lawsuit Wednesday, claiming the company used "illegal threats and collusion" to dominate the market for computer microprocessors.
JPMorgan settlement with SEC worth over $700M AP (November 04, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - JPMorgan Chase & Co. has agreed to a settlement worth more than $700 million over federal regulators' charges that it made unlawful payments to friends of public officials to win municipal bond business in Jefferson County, Ala.
Fla. sues online travel companies over hotel taxes AP (November 03, 2009) TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The state of Florida is suing online travel reservation companies over hotel taxes, the latest in a string of lawsuits nationwide claiming the sites owe local authorities millions of dollars.
Judge orders redaction of polygamist documents AP (November 03, 2009) ELDORADO, Texas (AP) - A Texas judge ordered Tuesday that a document showing a member of a polygamist sect had at least four wives who were pregnant or nursing at the same time should be excluded from his trial on charges of child sexual abuse.
Omnicare will settle kickback cases for $98M AP (November 03, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Omnicare Inc., which dispenses drugs to nursing homes and long-term care facilities, will pay $98 million to settle allegations it paid kickbacks to nursing homes to gain their business, and also received kickbacks for buying and recommending drugs.
LA Clippers owner agrees to pay $2.725 million AP (November 03, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - Los Angeles Clippers owner and real estate mogul Donald Sterling has agreed to pay a record $2.725 million to settle allegations by the government that he refused to rent apartments to Hispanics, blacks and to families with children, the Justice Department announced Tuesday.
Raided SC poultry plant mends hiring, avoids trial AP (November 03, 2009) COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina poultry plant raided by immigration agents last year has agreed to change its hiring practices to avoid federal charges of knowingly employing illegal immigrants, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
Parties settle lawsuit in fatal Wyo. raft accident AP (November 03, 2009) CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Grand Teton Lodge Co. has settled a lawsuit over a 2006 rafting accident on the Snake River that killed three people.
Court to decide if two-person Labor Board legal AP (November 02, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court said Monday it will decide whether two people can do the work of five when it comes to resolving labor-management disputes in the workplace.
Court won't stop release of church documents AP (November 02, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court turned away another appeal to stop the release of documents generated for sexual abuse lawsuits against priests in a Roman Catholic diocese in Connecticut.
Whistleblower recounts money problems at Petters AP (November 02, 2009) ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - The longtime aide of a businessman accused of operating a $3.65 billion Ponzi scheme is testifying that he was struggling to find new money and hold off nervous investors.
Polanski lawyer submits new bail offer to Swiss AP (November 02, 2009) PARIS (AP) - A French lawyer for Roman Polanski says he has submitted a new bail offer to a Swiss court to try to free the filmmaker from jail.
Appeals court: Detained Canadian cannot sue the US AP (November 02, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - A Canadian engineer cannot sue the United States after being mistaken for a terrorist when he was changing planes in New York a year after the 2001 terrorist attacks, a federal appeals court ruled Monday.
'Big Brother 9' winner held on federal drug charge AP (October 30, 2009) BOSTON (AP) - The winner of the CBS reality TV show "Big Brother 9" has been ordered held without bail on a federal drug charge.
Ga. man who sought out Miley Cyrus gets plea deal AP (October 30, 2009) SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - A 53-year-old man pleaded guilty Friday to resisting police outside the set of a Miley Cyrus movie on the Georgia coast after prosecutors dropped charges that he tried to stalk the teen pop star.
Mo. benefits manager gets prison for embezzlement AP (October 30, 2009) ST. LOUIS (AP) - A former benefits manager for a union local in St. Louis County has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for embezzling $341,000 from the union's benefit plans.
Biker claims LA doc deliberately caused crash AP (October 30, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Los Angeles doctor accused of deliberately injuring two bicyclists by slamming on his car brakes is being sued by a rider who crashed through the rear window.
Ohio agency rules against former AG aide AP (October 30, 2009) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation has ruled that a former top aide to fallen Attorney General Marc Dann committed attempted fraud.
Prosecutors: Madoff accountant to enter plea AP (October 30, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff's longtime auditor is expected to plead guilty next week in a cooperation deal, federal prosecutors told a judge Friday.
School sued for punishing teens over MySpace pix AP (October 30, 2009) INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Two sophomore girls have sued their Indiana school district after they were punished for posting sexually suggestive photos on MySpace during their summer vacation.
Feds taking action against reverse mortgage lender AP (October 30, 2009) HONOLULU (AP) - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is taking action against a reverse mortgage lender in Hawaii.
OSHA fines BP a record $87M for Texas refinery fix AP (October 30, 2009) WASHINGTON (AP) - The Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Friday imposed a record $87 million fine against oil giant BP PLC for failing to correct safety hazards after a 2005 explosion killed 15 workers at its Texas City refinery.
15 states sue Amgen alleging kickback scheme AP (October 30, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Biotechnology behemoth Amgen Inc. is being sued by 15 states alleging the company gave kickbacks to medical providers to help boost sales of the anemia drug Aranesp.
Massey settles age discrimination suit for $8.75M AP (October 30, 2009) CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - More than 200 miners who were not rehired after Massey Energy bought a bankrupt West Virginia mine have settled an age discrimination lawsuit against the Richmond, Va.-based coal producer for $8.75 million.
Calif. lawmakers support Polanski extradition AP (October 29, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - Fifteen California legislators have signed a letter supporting the extradition of Roman Polanski to Los Angeles to face his decades-old child sex conviction.
Witness: Nanny says drugs provided by defendants AP (October 29, 2009) LOS ANGELES (AP) - A nanny who worked for Anna Nicole Smith told an investigator the Playboy model's boyfriend and psychiatrist persuaded her to take drugs that left her sleeping for as long as three days, the investigator testified Thursday.
Balloon mom may have admitted hoax to protect kids AP (October 27, 2009) DENVER (AP) - Friends say the mother of the little boy at the center of the Colorado balloon case is devoted - even subservient - to her inventor husband and her kids, so why would she allegedly tell sheriff's deputies that the whole thing was a hoax?
ACORN, former official due in court in Nevada case AP (October 27, 2009) LAS VEGAS (AP) - Lawyers for the political advocacy group ACORN and a former supervisor say they'll plead not guilty to charges that they illegally paid canvassers to register Nevada voters during last year's presidential campaign.
Police: RI motorist drove with man in windshield AP (October 27, 2009) PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A motorist driving past a fender-bender struck three men standing on the side of a highway and drove more than a mile with one of them lodged in his windshield, police said.
Jury selection resumes in polygamist sect trial AP (October 27, 2009) ELDORADO, Texas (AP) - Jury selection has resumed in the first criminal trial stemming from the raid of a polygamist group's ranch in Texas last year.
Judge limits runaway convert's phone, Internet use AP (October 27, 2009) COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio judge on Tuesday ordered the state to supervise the telephone and Internet use of a teenage girl who says she ran away to Florida because she feared her father would harm or kill her for converting from Islam to Christianity.
Fed court: No drug money case against Fla. lawyer AP (October 27, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - In a first of its kind ruling, a federal appeals panel has sided with a prominent Miami defense lawyer who was accused of a crime for giving advice to attorneys for an accused Medellin cocaine cartel kingpin.
Appeals panel dismisses Fla. Christian frat case AP (October 27, 2009) ATLANTA (AP) - A federal court has dismissed an appeal by a Christian fraternity that tried to force the University of Florida to recognize it as an official organization.
Va. university charges 2 students for reporting AP (October 27, 2009) HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) - Two university journalists face trespassing and disorderly conduct charges after entering a dorm to interview students.
2 NYC men accused of offering weapons to Hezbollah AP (October 27, 2009) NEW YORK (AP) - Two New York City men have been charged with trying to provide weapons, ammunition and vehicles to the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.