Michael Carroll News
L.A. city attorney: Housing company's rent hikes after wildfires 'unconscionable,' 'illegal'
A home-rental company has disavowed charges in a civil lawsuit filed by the Los Angeles city attorney alleging that Blueground US Inc. ran afoul of state anti-gouging laws by raising its rents by 10% to more than 50% after last month’s deadly wildfires.
UC Student Association lawsuit: DOGE access to students' financial data 'unprecedented,' illegal
The U.S. Department of Education has agreed to temporarily bar people affiliated with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing students’ financial data as a result of a lawsuit filed by the University of California Student Association.
Prosecutors who supported Menendez brothers resentencing challenge D.A.'s 'humiliating' staff transfers
Two deputy district attorneys have filed damages claims against the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and D.A. Nathan Hochman, alleging they were demoted and retaliated against over their advocacy for resentencing the Menendez brothers.
Women inmates at Chino prison sue corrections agency, accuse gynecologist of abuse
Six inmates at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in Chino have filed a class-action lawsuit against a prison gynecologist who the plaintiffs allege sexually abused and injured them during exams related to pregnancy and other medical issues.
Tarzana attorney vows to appeal disbarment recommendation over 'egregious and extensive' conduct
A Tarzana attorney who was recommended for disbarment by a California State Bar Court judge has vowed to appeal the decision, which grew out of a decade-old scandal involving a Los Angeles utility’s billing system overhaul.
California Legislature approves $50 million for legal defense against Trump administration, despite GOP warnings
California lawmakers this week sent Gov. Gavin Newsom two bills providing tens of millions of dollars to defend against anticipated Trump administration policies that legislative Democrats say may illegally shortchange the state’s taxpayers. Democrats rejected an amendment that would have forbidden the state from using the money to defend criminal illegal immigrants
San Diego among California counties suing social media companies for 'addicting' youths
Three California counties are suing Meta/Facebook, Instagram, Snap, TikTok, Google and YouTube, alleging the companies have created a social media addiction crisis among youth through their insecurity- and dependency-promoting platforms.
Judge in Meta class-action lawsuit: Expert's 'guesswork' must be excluded
A federal judge has rejected the certification of a class-action lawsuit against Facebook’s parent company that challenged how Meta uses people’s personal data, calling the arguments of the plaintiffs’ expert witness unreliable and inadmissible.
Draft ethics alert: California lawyers should avoid bad-mouthing judges in public statements
A California State Bar committee is weighing rule changes aimed at reminding attorneys of their duty not to make public statements criticizing the actions of judges in a way that could pose safety risks for the judges and their families.
Trade association: California agency should rethink 'burdensome' cybersecurity proposals
A trade association is pushing back on plans by the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) to approve new cybersecurity regulations that critics say are burdensome, rigid, ineffective and at odds with existing federal rules.
Orange County officials, U.S. Justice Department reach accord over illegal use of informants
The U.S. Justice Department and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) have approved a settlement to resolve a long-running controversy over the use of informants in county jails in ways that violated defendants’ constitutional rights.
Plaintiffs' video evidence: 'arcing and sparking' from SCE equipment prior to Eaton Fire
Plaintiffs’ attorneys have urged a judge to expand a restraining order against Southern California Edison to preserve equipment and electrical fault data in the wake of a new Eaton Fire video allegedly showing arcing and sparking from an SCE transmission tower.
California class action alleges fluoride content of mouth rinses could harm children
Concerns about fluoride’s effects on young children have led to recent class-action filings in federal courts in California and Illinois alleging that some toothpastes and fluoride rinses are being marketed in a way that poses dangers to young children.
Car dealers group sues Scout Motors over plan to sell vehicles directly to Californians
The California New Car Dealers Association has vowed to take legal action against Volkswagen Group of America and Scout Motors over Scout’s plans to sell vehicles directly to California consumers rather than through dealerships.
Plaintiff attorney: Restraining order in Eaton Fire lawsuit will prevent SCE 'gamesmanship'
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has approved a temporary restraining order against Southern California Edison in an effort to preserve potential evidence indicating how the deadly Eaton Fire started.
State attorneys’ union chief: Don’t waste millions on outside counsel in Trump-related lawsuits
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to earmark tens of millions of dollars for legal battles against the Trump administration has not only drawn sharp criticism from Republicans but also from the union representing attorneys in the California Department of Justice.
Eaton Fire lawsuits: Southern California Edison 'negligence' contributed to devastation
At least 14 lawsuits filed in recent weeks by those affected by the deadly Eaton Fire argue that Southern California Edison’s equipment helped to spark some of the initial flames and that the utility bears some responsibility for the devastation that followed.
Huntington Beach officials sue Newsom, Bonta, challenge California's 'Sanctuary State Law'
Huntington Beach has filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Attorney General Rob Bonta that challenges the legality of a 2017 California law limiting interactions between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents.
ExxonMobil critics condemn energy company's filing of defamation lawsuit in plastics dispute
ExxonMobil critics have condemned the energy giant’s filing of a defamation lawsuit against California’s attorney general and several environmental groups, calling the litigation a diversion from real issues and an attempt at intimidation.
California appeals court seeks justification for prosecution of L.A. district attorney legal advisor
A California appeals court has asked prosecutors to justify their case against a Los Angeles district attorney advisor who was charged with felonies for allegedly accessing confidential police officer information.