News from March 2012
Texan's asbestos claim won't be heard in Philly
A Texas couple won't be allowed to file its asbestos lawsuit in Philadelphia.
Retaliatory discharge complaint filed against laundry products company
A former delivery driver for a Philadelphia-based kitchen and laundry products company has filed a federal lawsuit against his former employer alleging he was fired in retaliation for requesting a medical leave of absence.
Controversial Philly narcotics cop named in civil rights complaint
A controversial Philadelphia narcotics officer was slapped with a civil complaint March 1 accusing him of falsely arresting a man who was believed to be a drug dealer, but who claims he was wrongly fingered by a confidential informant.
NY woman arrested in Phila. for drawing on sidewalk with chalk sues city, police officer
A woman who alleges she was wrongfully arrested by an overzealous Philadelphia police officer who detained her after she was discovered drawing on a sidewalk with chalk has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the city and the cop who arrested her.
Class action accuses Giant Foods of not being ADA compliant
A Pennsylvania woman who suffers from spina bifida has filed a class action lawsuit against Giant Food Stores LLC, alleging the supermarket retailer continues to violate the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to either upgrade existing locations or making sure newly built Giant stores are ADA compliant.
Parole granted for ex-con who was acquitted in cop's murder, but has been jailed for two years
William J. Barnes, the 75-year-old ex-con who has been sitting in state prison for the past two years despite having been acquitted in the murder of a Philadelphia police officer whom Barnes shot and wounded in the 1960s, has been ordered released from custody.
Judge rules in favor of Phila. police officer who was sued by U.S. mail carrier
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against a Philadelphia police officer that was brought by a U.S. mail carrier who alleged the cop used excessive force when attempting to prevent the postal working from traversing a roped-off accident scene.
Pa. Health Secretary Avila responds to lawsuit by cafe owner
In court papers filed Feb. 27, Pennsylvania’s top health official denies he ever escalated a situation involving a Harrisburg-area diner owner, an incident that the eatery founder claims eventually led to the cabinet-level official attempting to block a state contract deal.
Judge denies request to push back Sandusky child sex-abuse trial
The judge presiding over the upcoming trial of accused child molester Jerry Sandusky has denied a defense request to push back the start of the former Penn State assistant football coach’s trial.
Phila. judge orders changes relating to court-appointed capital case defense attorneys
The administrative judge overseeing the civil trial division at Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court issued an order Feb. 27 temporarily suspending operation of the court’s Homicide Appointment System Committee.
Convicted murderer who sought evidential test results has suit dismissed by federal judge
A federal judge has dismissed a suit against the City of Philadelphia that was filed by a convicted murderer who alleged he was never given the results of a chemical test that was performed on his hands at the time he was charged with shooting his girlfriend to death.
Fired solar energy company worker sues, claims retaliation for speaking out against racism
An installation technician at a Philadelphia-based solar energy company who alleges he was fired in retaliation for speaking out against discriminatory treatment that was taking place against some of his coworkers has filed a complaint against his former employer in federal court.
Phila. Traffic Court judge accused of showing lewd photo to female court worker faces charges by Judicial Conduct Board
The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board announced March 1 that it has filed formal charges against former Philadelphia Traffic Court Judge Willie F. Singletary, the controversial jurist who is alleged to have shown camera phone photos of his penis to a female court staffer.
U.S. General Services Administration sued by employee for discrimination
A 35-year employee of the U.S. government has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against her employer, alleging she was passed over for promotions because of her age.
Commonwealth Court sides with newspaper, reporter in case involving school records
A state appellate court panel has upheld a lower court’s ruling that ordered a charter school to turn over certain school records to a reporter for a regional newspaper.
Former Pa. auditor general enters race for state attorney general
Just when it appeared as though a former area congressman and a former Northeastern Pennsylvania prosecutor would be the only two Democrats running in the upcoming primary for state attorney general, a third contender has thrown his hat into the mix.
Controversial Phila. Traffic Court judge is said to have resigned post
The controversial Philadelphia Traffic Court judge who was suspended after allegedly showing a photo of his genitals to a female court staffer has apparently resigned his elected post.