News from March 2021
State Senate again passes seatbelt admissibility bill, sends it to House
CHARLESTON – The state Senate again has passed a seatbelt admissibility bill, and again it is headed to the House of Delegates.
Man says car lot used unfair, deceptive practices, violated consumer protection law
CHARLESTON — A Putnam County man says Six M's II LLC used unfair or deceptive practices when it attempted to sell a used car.
AG's office urges consumers to safeguard sensitive tax information
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office is reminding consumers to protect their personal, identifiable information from potential identity thieves as they file taxes ahead of the April 15 deadline.
Tort reform groups applaud W.Va. lawmakers' work on COVID immunity legislation
CHARLESTON – National and statewide tort reform groups are praising West Virginia lawmakers for work on the COVID-19 immunity legislation that could be on the governor’s desk soon.
Kaufman says changes all around him made him decide to retire from Kanawha bench
CHARLESTON –Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman said changes in how courtrooms operate over the last few years made him realize it’s time to step aside.
Pizza place sues Oak Hill, Gamoca for hiding true nature of new business
FAYETTEVILLE — Z Best Pizza filed a lawsuit against the city of Oak Hill and Gamoca alleging they withheld information about a new business.
House passes amended COVID-19 immunity bill, sends it back to Senate
CHARLESTON – The House of Delegates has passed an amended version of the COVID-19 immunity bill.
Asbestos attorney says over-naming legislation isn't needed, could create more issues
CHARLESTON – A Putnam County plaintiff’s attorney who handles asbestos litigation says a legislative bill is looking to fix a problem that doesn’t exist and actually could lead to more problems.
Resolution removing state courts from impeachments heads to full Senate
CHARLESTON – The full state Senate will vote on a resolution saying state courts have no authority to interfere with impeachment proceedings in the House or state Senate.
BAILEY & GLASSER LLP: Ninety-Three Law Firms,167 Lawyers File Brief Opposing Proposed Settlement of Future Roundup Claims
Ninety-three law firms and 167 lawyers from across the nation filed a brief in federal court in San Francisco today opposing a proposed class action settlement of all future claims against Monsanto by injured people charging that Roundup caused their cancer – including claims by people who have no injury or cancer now and may not have any for decades.
WEST VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: Attorney General Morrisey's Mobile Office Sets March Stops for Eastern Panhandle
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced a representative from his office will meet with Eastern Panhandle residents in March to discuss consumer-related issues and answer any potential questions.
WEST VIRGINIA ATTORNEY GENERAL: Attorney General Morrisey's Mobile Office Sets March Stops for Metro Valley
Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced a representative from his office will meet with Metro Valley residents in March to discuss consumer-related issues and answer any potential questions.
Kaufman stepping down as Kanawha Circuit judge at the end of the month
In a letter to Gov. Jim Justice, Kanawha Circuit Judge Tod Kaufman said his resignation is effective at midnight March 31. Kaufman did not list a reason for stepping down.
Morrisey, other AGs settle to shut down fraudulent charity operation
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and other AGs have reached a multistate settlement to stop a large-scale sham fundraising operation that relied on mostly unlawful robocalls.
ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF NORTHERN WEST VIRGINIA: Randolph J. Bernard named Acting United States Attorney
Randolph J. Bernard serve as Acting United States Attorney beginning on March 1, 2021.
BAILEY & GLASSER LLP: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Update: Biden Administration Announces Changes to PPP to Further Target Small Businesses
On Monday, February 22, 2021, the Biden administration announced several reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the main U.S. COVID-19 aid program for small businesses, to further ensure equitable access for the smallest businesses and those that have been left behind in previous rounds of the PPP.
The case for an Agriculture Business Development Fund
We know we cannot rely on the federal government to tell us what is best for West Virginia. It will take state lawmakers, business leaders and producers to turn our state around.
Johnston named Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia
CHARLESTON – Lisa G. Johnston will serve as Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, according to the United States Attorney's Office.
Morrisey sends letter to U.S. Senate opposing McCabe's EPA nomination
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has sent a letter to the leadership of the U.S. Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee opposing the nomination of Janet Gaven McCabe as deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Northern Panhandle circuit judge consolidates eight sexual abuse cases against Catholic Church
NEW CUMBERLAND – A circuit judge has consolidated eight cases in two Northern Panhandle counties regarding sexual abuse claims against the Catholic Church.