THIS WEEK IN THE NEWS
February 17 to February 21, 2014
Schneiderman’s “Unjust Imprisonment Act” Will Ensure All Wrongfully Convicted Have Access To Court Remedy
During a speech at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Attorney General Schneiderman proposed his “Unjust Imprisonment Act,” legislation that will remove current barriers preventing those who are wrongfully convicted in New York from recovering damages and enable them to put their lives back together. The bill, which will be introduced by Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, would allow those who falsely confess or plead guilty to a crime they did not commit to pursue damages from the states and would increase the statute of limitations for wrongful conviction claims to three years.
You can watch the Attorney General’s speech here and read his prepared remarks here.
In Binghamton, Schneiderman Announces Statewide Success Of Homeowner Protection Program
Attorney General Schneiderman was joined in Binghamton by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Mayor Richard David and housing advocates to announce the first 16 months of success of his Homeowner Protection Program and detail his recently proposed legislation to assist communities with their foreclosure recovery. Since launching HOPP in October 2012 using funds from the National Mortgage Settlement, the Attorney General’s Office has funded 90 housing counselors and legal services agencies, served 23,760 homeowners and secured 6,660 approved and pending loan modifications statewide.
Watch the full press conference here. And check out some facts and figures on New York’s “zombie home” epidemic, which the Attorney General’s legislation would tackle head on.
Schneiderman Applauds Business Wire’s Decision To Prohibit High-Frequency Traders From Purchasing Direct News Feed
The Attorney General applauded the decision by Business Wire, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, to stop selling direct feeds of the information it distributes on behalf of clients to high-speed trading firms, a tremendous victory in the Attorney General’s effort to eliminate Insider Trading 2.0. Attorney General Schneiderman also encouraged other members of this industry to follow Business Wire’s lead and join his effort to “level the playing field between high-frequency traders and the rest of the investing public.”
Schneiderman Warns New Yorkers Of A “Microsoft” Technical Support Scam
As a new Microsoft technical support scam targets consumers, Attorney General Schneiderman warned New Yorkers to be on alert for fraudsters posing as Microsoft representatives to try to gain remote access to their computers by claiming that their units are infected with a virus or need additional software. He also issued tips to help consumers identify this scam or protect their information if they have already been victimized.
Consumers can always file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by visiting the website or calling the Office’s hotline at (800) 771-7755.
Schneiderman Reaches $173M Settlement With Pharmaceutical Giant To Resolve Off-Label Marketing Allegations
Attorney General Schneiderman led a team of states nationwide in securing a $173 million global settlement with Endo Pharmaceuticals after the pharmaceutical manufacturer allegedly pushed the drug Lidoderm for uses not approved by the FDA. The settlement will return $25 million to New York’s Medicaid program and sends the message that “pharmaceutical companies, no matter how large, are not above the law.”
Schneiderman Ends Anticompetitive Arrangements Between Two Rival Generic Drug Manufacturers
The Attorney General reached a first-of-its-kind settlement with Ranbaxy Laboratories and Teva Pharmaceuticals, resolving charges these rival generic drug makers made an unlawful agreement to restrict competition in the markets for drugs like the generic Lipitor. The settlement requires that the companies end their collusive deal and commit not to enter into similar agreements in the future.
Schneiderman Announces Sentencing Of Construction Company Owner For Underpaying Workers On NYC Affordable Housing Project
Thanks to a conviction secured by the Attorney General’s Office, 16 workers who were underpaid on a public works construction project in the Bronx will receive $500,000 in restitution. Their former employers are also barred from government construction jobs for five years.
Schneiderman Praises PSC Ruling Requiring Con Edison To Protect Its Systems From Climate Change
Just over a year after Sandy left hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers in the dark, Attorney General Schneiderman praised a ruling by the New York State Department of Public Service requiring Con Edison to invest $1 billion to protect its system from the consequences of severe storms – while holding the line on rates.
For more info on the Attorney General’s office or other political news hit us up at RandyKFisher@gmail.com.
Posted by Charles Fisher and Randy Fisher (Twitter @HHSYC)
