Law and legal issues

An Orange County Grand Jury published a scathing 35-page report documenting what it sees as a pattern of corruption in Orange County, Calif. and recommending county supervisors establish a blue ribbon ethics commission.

A hearing in Alabama federal court will consider a motion by Bank of New York Mellon, which wants a detailed review of bankrupt Jefferson County's sewer system finances, studies, assets, and future plans.

As Detroit embarks on a massive restructuring of its long-term debt, the city's decisions over the years to wrap nearly all its bonds with insurance may prove as much a benefit to the city as to its bondholders.

Perri Irmer, the former executive director of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, is accusing the former board chairman and the Chicago White Sox owner of improperly ousting her from the position in a federal lawsuit.

The Virginia Supreme Court has reinstated Fluvanna County, Va.'s lawsuit against Davenport & Co. LLC, which seeks damages for state and federal security law violations the county claims the firm committed while serving as its financial advisor.

Rhode Island Superior Court signed off on a pension overhaul agreement between Providence and its police officers, firefighters and retirees that Mayor Angel Taveras said possibly saved the capital city from filing for bankruptcy.

The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged the chief executive officer of a Chicago-based advisory firm with lying to the California Public Employers' Retirement System and other clients about the amount of money managed by the firm.

Critics of a proposal to build a 250-room hotel and conference center on the University of California at Los Angeles campus challenged its tax-exempt status in court.

Years after former Alabama Gov. Bob Riley waged war to eliminate casino-like slot machines operated as electronic charity bingo games, bondholders are still in court fighting to salvage their investments.

The Texas Senate on Wednesday considered a bill that would raise the levels of permitted radioactivity in waste delivered to a bond-funded dump site in Andrews.

Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Bennett ruled that Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. cannot proceed with its lawsuit against JPMorgan in New York state court because it involves bankrupt Jefferson County, Ala.

A lawsuit by Caldwell Flores Winters, Inc. for breach of contract and the resulting counter-complaint by small, rural Willits United School District, Calif. spotlights controversial practices critics see in California school district bond sales.

The Securities and Exchange Commission objects to further delay in the 2009 case against two JPMorgan bankers charged with bribing Jefferson County, Ala., commissioners and broker-dealers to win business.

The Illinois Supreme Court agreed Thursday to hear a direct appeal of a Circuit Court decision leaving intact a state overhaul of retiree health care benefits.

Minneapolis-based Fairview Health Services and South Dakota-based Sanford Health have canceled discussions over a possible union due to mounting opposition in Minnesota.

Standard & Poor's said in a report Monday that Stockton's eligibility for bankruptcy will likely have an impact on local governments in distress.

The National Federation of Municipal Analysts said Wednesday they have filed an amicus curiae brief in California Superior Court in support of a lawsuit filed by insurer Syncora Guarantee over laws extinguishing redevelopment agencies in the state.

San Bernardino plans to resume payments to the California Public Employees' Retirement System on July 1, but it's unlikely it will be able to repay missed payments, said Mayor Pat Morris.

New Orleans has been ordered to pay $17.5 million plus interest to the city firefighters' pension fund for its 2012 obligations.

A lawsuit challenging the appointment of new Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr has been dropped.