News from December 2011
Phila. judge certifies class action status in case of environmental hazard at townhouse site
A Philadelphia Common Pleas Court judge has granted class action status in a case where homeowners who purchased townhouses in a residential development that apparently had high levels of lead and arsenic were suing over their alleged ignorance of the condition of the residential tract.
Federal judge rules Pa. company can amend its complaint against NY manufacturer
A Pennsylvania company that specializes in the business of cylinder re-qualification and maintenance can move forward with seeking increased damages against a New York-based products manufacturer, after a federal judge last week granted the plaintiff’s motion to file an amended complaint.
Phila.-based firm Ballard Spahr creates Mortgage Banking Group
Philadelphia law firm Ballard Spahr has announced that it has created a new Mortgage Banking Group, and has retained to head the unit four Washington, D.C. attorneys “whose skill and depth of experience put them at the forefront of evolving regulatory developments in the industry,” firm chairman Mark Stewart announced Monday.
Court holds 'lottery' for public seating in Sandusky preliminary hearing
Expecting a large turnout given the strong public interest in the case, but working with a venue that’s rather limited in physical size, court officials in central Pennsylvania have decided to hold a “lottery” to award seats to those interested in attending the Jerry Sandusky preliminary hearing.
Penn State: insurance, not tax dollars, to cover potential sex-abuse litigation
Any potential financial liability stemming from the Pennsylvania State University child sex-abuse scandal will not affect taxpayers.
Phila. security firm agrees to settlement in case of Muslim woman's firing
A security firm based in Northwest Philadelphia has agreed to shuck out $50,000, plus other equitable relief, in a case in which a former employee alleged she was terminated for wearing a religious head covering on the job.
Montgomery County, Pa. commissioner charged with perjury after 18-month grand jury investigation
The chairman of the Montgomery County, Pa. Board of Commissioners was arrested on perjury charges Tuesday, capping an 18-month grand jury investigation into the county’s three-member board.
Central Pa. district attorney announces bid for state attorney general's seat
The top law enforcer in one central Pennsylvania county has announced his bid to become the next top prosecutor in the commonwealth.
Plaintiff can't link harmful asbestos exposure to defendant, court rules
PHILADELPHIA - U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno granted summary judgment Thursday for the defendant in a case transferred from California as part the asbestos multidistrict litigation in Pennsylvania's eastern district.
Pa. Supreme Court rules against $4M attorneys fees
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Friday that attorneys fees in a class action lawsuit against Kia Motors America were inappropriate.
Changes happen in archdiocese abuse cases
There have been two new developments in the ongoing litigation of the allegations of sexual abuse involving priests from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries to pay $10.56 million settlement
Allentown's Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, which operates as Diakon Hospice Saint John (Diakon), reached a settlement for violations of the False Claims Act (FCA) by paying the U.S. government $10.56 million, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.
Philadelphia court postpones sheriff's property sales
Court of Common Pleas Judge Pamela Pryor Dembe issued an order Dec. 1 postponing hundreds of sheriff's sales of properties for which the mortgages have been foreclosed.
Lancaster lawyer convicted of fraud
Lancaster attorney Kenneth G. Reidenbach, 61, was convicted Dec. 1 of fraud charges in connection with three bankruptcy proceedings in which he represented the debtors.
Four charged for defrauding Sheriff's Office
Charges were filed Nov. 30 against four people who allegedly defrauded the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office.
Pa. lawmaker behind 'venue shopping' bill discusses legislation
Before getting elected to Pennsylvania’s General Assembly five years ago, Bryan Cutler worked in healthcare.
Settlement reached in injunction filed against charity in Penn State case
A settlement has been reached in one of the civil actions filed in the wake of the Pennsylvania State University child sex-abuse scandal.
Revered Phila.-area personal injury lawyer Marvin Lundy dies at 80
Well-known Philadelphia-area personal injury attorney Marvin Lundy passed away Dec. 1 after a long, unspecified illness.
Federal judge dismisses some defendants in Luzerne County judicial scandal class action suit
A federal judge in Pennsylvania has dismissed a handful of defendants in a civil suit filed on behalf of relatives of victims of what is said to be one of the worst judicial scandals in Pennsylvania history.
Federal Judge rules Jim Thorpe's relatives can move forward with their claim against Borough of Jim Thorpe, Pa.
To urban dwellers in Pennsylvania’s metropolitan locales, the name Jim Thorpe conjures up images of tranquility and scenic destination.