Jessica M. Karmasek News
McGraw settles with collection agencies for more than $700,000
McGraw CHARLESTON - West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw announced Wednesday that his office has reached settlements with five out-of-state debt collection agencies, netting more than $700,000 for state consumers.
Century Aluminum loses property tax appeal in W.Va. SC
Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, in a ruling last week, said state tax officials properly appraised Century Aluminum's inactive Ravenswood plant.
W.Va. SC sides with city in suit over officer's disability benefits
Chief Justice Menis Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals last week ruled against a former South Charleston police officer in a case over his disability benefits.
W.Va. SC: Error by plaintiff's lawyers cause of suit's dismissal
Workman CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals this week shot down a medical malpractice complaint against a Charleston Area Medical Center neurologist.
Morrisey urges McGraw to reconsider statement on debates
Morrisey CHARLESTON - Republican challenger Patrick Morrisey has sent another letter to state Attorney General Darrell McGraw, once again encouraging the incumbent to engage in a series of public debates.
Kanawha prosecutors take issue with circuit judge's order
Webster CHARLESTON - Kanawha County prosecutors contend Circuit Judge Carrie Webster, in excluding what they describe as "major evidence" in a 2010 murder, has "completely gutted" their case.
W.Va. SC sides with circuit court in ruling over tax assessments
Ketchum CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals last week agreed to set aside the decision of the state's Office of Tax Appeals against a packaged foods company over tax assessments.
W.Va. SC rules for insurer in suit over car's pumpkin damage
CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, in a ruling Thursday, sided with an automobile insurer in a lawsuit brought by a driver who argued that the damage to his car was the result of Halloween hijinks and should've been covered.
PAC, potential donors call W.Va. election laws 'unconstitutional'
Tennant BLUEFIELD - An independent political action committee and a group of potential donors are suing West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant and the state's prosecuting attorneys, arguing that some of the state's election laws and policies violate their First Amendment rights.
Streaker blames All Good festival, security for back injuries in suit
CLARKSBURG - Another lawsuit has been filed in federal court against All Good Music Festival organizers and its security providers.
W.Va., other states file brief to U.S. SC to uphold Mont. election law
Schneiderman WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, on behalf of a coalition of 22 states and the District of Columbia, has filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a Montana election law.
Former Lincoln commission candidate files suit over ballot stuffing
Harless CHARLESTON - A former Lincoln County Commission candidate has filed a lawsuit in federal court for at least $57,000 in attorney's fees and expenses, plus compensatory and punitive damages, saying the 2010 primary election was "contaminated."
W.Va. SC: Circuit court right not to remove juror
McHugh CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, in a ruling last week, upheld a lower court's decision to dismiss a motion for a new trial in a lawsuit brought over a man's electrocution.
Suit over soda's formula signals problems in state's legal system
Bailey CHARLESTON - Proponents of lawsuit reform in West Virginia say a case filed by a prison inmate over a popular soda maker's formula is a prime example of how such frivolous suits are casting a cloud over the state's business climate.
McGraw among AGs to settle with Skechers over toning shoes
McGraw CHARLESTON - More than 40 state attorneys general, including West Virginia's Darrell McGraw, have reached a $45 million settlement with popular footwear brand Skechers for deceptive advertising.
W.Va. high court upholds pay increase for region's DOH workers
CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, in a ruling last week, affirmed a circuit court order upholding a wage increase for Division of Highways employees in the state's Eastern Panhandle.
Tomblin's general counsel leaving
Tomblin CHARLESTON - Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's general counsel, G. Kurt Dettinger, is leaving the state sector.
Dems in SC race rack up more cash heading into Tuesday's primary
Davis CHARLESTON - The Democratic candidates for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals are leading the pack in contributions going into Tuesday's primary.
Case over transfer of assets sent back to W.Va. federal court
Gregory RICHMOND, Va. -- A federal appeals court has remanded a case over fraudulently transferred assets to a West Virginia district court.
Hotel Morgan alleges new hotel stole its name
CLARKSBURG - A downtown Morgantown hotel is suing another local establishment in federal court, arguing that the upstart hotel has stolen its name and is hurting its reputation.