French Court Finds Church of Scientology Guilty of Fraud
Obviously.
Civil
Another Consumer Says He Was Duped by Froot Loops
As I wrote this past summer, a number of lawsuits have been filed in California over the past couple of years by people who say they were deceived by certain representations on cereal boxes. Specifically, three different plaintiffs alleged they were…
Stalin Libel Claim Dismissed
I thought today's proceeding was another hearing in the case, but it turns out the judge was ready to announce his decision. That decision: it is indeed fair to say that Joseph Stalin was a bad guy. The judge found that…
“I’ve Come Here to Defend Stalin,” Says Lunatic
The Associated Press reports today that hearings had resumed in Moscow in a libel suit filed by Yevgeny Dzhugashvili. Dzhugashvili is suing a newspaper that printed some negative comments about his grandpappy, Josef Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili, better known as "Stalin." Now, I…
Cell-Phone Conversation Blamed for Accident at Sea
From a recent report of filings in San Francisco Superior Court: Bryerton v. Westar Marine Services, CGC-09-493160 (10/2/09) Marine personal injury action. The plaintiff was throwing a line to another ship when his ship's captain, who was distracted and talking…
UPDATE: Opinion in “Pilates Instructor” Case
The opinion in this case (linked below, previously discussed here) is worth a read. Just to clarify a few of the details, the parties had filed cross-motions for summary judgment. Plaintiff's claims against the credit-card company were dismissed, which appears…
Blind Lawyer Says “Pilates Instructor” Cheated Him
I put “Pilates instructor” in quotes because—spoiler alert!—that’s not actually what she was doing.
Bank of America Sued for 1,784 Sextillion Dollars
Specifically, “1,784 billion trillion dollars,” but you can write it either way.
Motion Dismissed for “Negligent Stapling”
The ABA Journal reports today that a judge in New York dismissed a motion for default judgment partly because it had been so poorly stapled. It appears that the staple or staples used were inadequately closed during the stapling process,…
UPDATE: State High Court Will Not Review Burning Man Case
On September 16, the California Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of Anthony Beninati, who blamed promoters of the Burning Man festival for injuries he sustained in 2005. Its decision affirmed that of the Court of Appeal, which ruled…