Law and legal issues

The Association of Bay Area Governments plans to reimburse San Francisco the $1.3 million missing from a city redevelopment fund after an alleged theft by its finance director and conduct a forensic audit the transactions he worked on.

Ex-JPMorgan bankers have asked a federal judge to dismiss federal pay-to-play charges related to the sewer deals that helped push Jefferson County, Ala., into bankruptcy.

As if bond rating downgrades, a $50 billion unfunded pension liability and teetering school districts weren’t enough, Pennsylvania must wrestle with more political scandal as its treasurer resigns to plead guilty after a federal investigation.

Moody's Investors Service has placed Kern County under review for a possible downgrade affecting approximately $86 million in debt.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a motion for summary judgment in its securities fraud case against two former JPMorgan bankers involved in Jefferson County's sewer deals and swaps.

Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord resigned late Friday, effective immediately, as news reports swirled that he will plead guilty to charges of threatening would-be campaign contributors with the loss of state business.

Harrisburg, Pa., Mayor Eric Papenfuse on Friday signed off on a restructuring agreement for bonds tied to the city's Verizon Center building despite his objections, and called for an investigation into the original 1998 bond deal.

The appointment of an emergency manager for Atlantic City has led many to question whether the city is heading for bankruptcy, which would mark long uncharted territory for the Garden State.

Clarke Howatt, finance director for the Association of Bay Area Governments, is being sought by San Francisco law enforcement officials in the theft of $1.3 million in bond money from a regional planning agency, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Newly inaugurated Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will not face prosecution from the embattled Travis County District Attorney's office for violating state securities law.

A taxpayers' group in San Diego County won a legal battle in its challenge to the way the school district spends its voter approved bonds.

Colorado lawmakers may get their day before the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge the Taxpayer Bill of Rights that requires voter approval of all tax increases in the state.

The trustee for the Santa Rosa Bay Bridge Authority's defaulted bonds wants a toll increase for the Garcon Point Bridge but north Florida residents are opposing the plan.

Two former Allen Park, Mich. officials have settled a Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit against them by agreeing to be barred from involvement in any future municipal bond offerings, and ex-Mayor Gary Burtka agreed to pay a $10,000 civil penalty, according to court documents filed Wednesday.

A federal judge ordered the former comptroller of a Harvey, Ill., to pay more than $200,000 in fines and barred him from participation in any future municipal issues for his role in misleading investors on several of the south Chicago suburb's past bond offerings.

The Jan. 22 executive order signed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to appoint an emergency management team to oversee Atlantic City's finances is a credit negative for other struggling Garden State municipalities, according to Moody's Investors Service.

A Medicare violation self-reported by the Mendocino Coast Health Care District could delay its efforts to exit Chapter 9 bankruptcy, according to a Standard & Poor's report.

It could be a crucial year for Detroit Public Schools as Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and a newly created coalition of Detroit leaders take on problems at the long-troubled district.

California's attorney general's office needs two additional weeks to complete its required review of the proposed sale of non-profit Daughters of Charity Health System to for-profit Prime Healthcare.

The Georgia Supreme Court holds oral arguments Feb. 3 in three appeals opposing the public financing for the Atlanta Braves’ new stadium in Cobb County.