John O'Brien News
Settlement may come soon in McGraw's fight with federal Medicaid agency
McGraw CHARLESTON - An appeals board recently told the federal Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services that it is seeking too much of a controversial $10 million settlement by state Attorney General Darrell McGraw.
Trio of plaintiffs lawyer-friendly candidates lost in May, CALA says
Cohen CHARLESTON - A state legal reform group is happy that three candidates for the state Legislature who were heavily backed by personal injury lawyers didn't make it past the primary election.
CALA: Backers of campaign finance bill hypocrites
Cohen CHARLESTON - It looks like the contentious election season of 2004 has not been forgotten four years later -- and its legacy is still causing controversy.
W. Va. businesses harmed by fake letters, McGraw says
McGraw CHARLESTON - State Attorney General Darrell McGraw continues to keep an eye on what goes in the mail.
AG challenger on board with ATRA code
Greear CHARLESTON – Dan Greear, the Republican candidate for state Attorney General, has agreed to abide by a transparency code crafted by the American Tort Reform Association if he is elected.
Funeral home owner still under attack by AG McGraw
McGraw WHEELING – State Attorney General Darrell McGraw recently received authority to continue his case against a bankrupt funeral home.
Con artists cause problems for struggling wire company
McGraw ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. -– A troubled wire transfer company settled Wednesday with 45 state attorneys general, including state Attorney General Darrell McGraw, agreeing to provide fraud prevention education services.
McGraw mad at bank's move
McGraw CHARLESTON – State Attorney General Darrell McGraw is upset that Capitol One Bank changed its registration to put a stop to his investigation.
McGraw backers will argue for $4M in state case
McGraw WHEELING – Campaign contributors given state contracts by state Attorney General Darrell McGraw will try to stake their claims to portions of nearly $4 million in fees in August.
Election bill at center of controversy
Webster CHARLESTON – A state legal watchdog group is unhappy with proposed legislation that would force it to reveal its largest financial backers if it wants to make campaign contributions, claiming it is a violation of its right to free speech.
U.S. Supreme Court decision may affect W. Va. legislation
Stevens WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against California Attorney General Jerry Brown Thursday in his effort to protect a law that prohibits businesses from using taxpayer-funded grants to influence their employees' thoughts on unionization.
McGraw settlement could produce nearly $4M for outside counsel
McGraw CHARLESTON - A settlement designed by Attorney General Darrell McGraw's office will entitle consumers to sales tax breaks on appliances, while private practice attorneys hired by McGraw may rake in almost $4 million.
McGraw gets report card
McGraw NEW ORLEANS - West Virginia's Darrell McGraw was one of six state attorneys general to be given a "B" grading in a recent study ranking how each is helping homeowners make it through the nation's foreclosure crisis.
Business climate too bad to expand in W. Va., company says
CHARLESTON - One of the country's largest natural gas producers will not construct a state-of-the-art building in Charleston to use as the head of its eastern operations, citing the state Supreme Court's refusal to hear its appeal of a $405 million verdict against it.
Former Solicitor General: Benjamin bullheaded on recusal issue
Benjamin CHARLESTON - The center of controversy on the state Supreme Court may have shifted to Justice Brent Benjamin.
Maynard info won't be released before primary
Maynard CHARLESTON - A circuit judge on Monday denied The Associated Press' wish to hammer out issues surrounding a denied request for a log of state Supreme Court Chief Justice Spike Maynard's e-mails and phone calls before Tuesday's primary election.
Mailers make mock McGraw memos
CHARLESTON - State businesses are on alert that letters claiming Attorney General Darrell McGraw is investigating them are in the mail.
CSX wants new complaint against Pittsburgh firm entered
WHEELING - A railroad giant is again trying to bring to light what it feels is fraud on the part of asbestos lawyers who have filed thousands of claims in West Virginia.
The business of asbestos: Manhattan Institute releases report
NEW YORK - Jim Copland of the Manhattan Institute says his organization certainly doesn't oppose new business concepts. After all, the think tank's mission statement includes fostering new ideas that promote economic growth.
Asbestos has long filled W. Va. courtrooms
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The poor reputation of West Virginia's court system can be reflected in statistics dealing with asbestos litigation, an economic think tank said Tuesday.