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State wrong to appeal right-to-know rejection
This week, an intrusive Florida law restricting the right of women to choose abortion correctly was declared unconstitutional.-- 
The 1997 Woman's Right-to-Know Act set out new requirements for women seeking abortions. They had to provide written consent that they had received state-produced information from a doctor on the nature and risks of abortion. They had to accept a controversial pamphlet describing the development of a fetus. Supporters, including the Christian Coalition, said the law was a way to provide full information. Opponents called it harassment. 9/21/02

Attorneys burn out: Prosecutors face heavy loads, are low paid
Ginger Barry stood surrounded by four defense attorneys, with a fifth peering around her shoulder. It was a case management day earlier this year, and everybody wanted some attention from Barry, 26, a felony prosecutor for the State Attorney's Office. There were pleas to hammer out, trial dates to set and motions to schedule for hearing. 7/25/02

State investigates Mattress Giant-- The Florida Attorney General's Office is investigating an unadvertised "processing and handling" fee Mattress Giant tacked onto more than 50,000 mattress sales in Florida over a six-month period. 7/7/02

Attorney General Joins Tax Battle-- Attorney General Bob Butterworth, the lone Democrat in the state's Cabinet, said Monday that his office will help Senate President John McKay, R-Bradenton, defend a proposed constitutional amendment against lawsuits from Florida business groups. 7/3/02

State lawyers appeal in favor of ban on gay adoptions
ATLANTA — The Florida Legislature has the authority to forbid homosexuals from adopting children, lawyers for the state wrote in a brief filed in a federal appeals court. The attorneys argued that as Florida limits the legal number of spouses and recognizes only heterosexual marriages, it is well within the Legislature's purview to allow only heterosexuals to adopt, to "further the public moral sense."

State sues world's largest burial service
Florida sued the world's largest burial provider Friday, accusing it of violating "a sacred trust" by mistreating the dead and deceiving their families.

Sheldon confronts Crist in new arena
Charlie Crist beat George Sheldon in the education commissioner race. They may square off next for attorney general.

Andersen may lose state license
Butterworth asks board to investigate company The accounting firm Arthur Andersen may have its Florida license revoked for failing to meet the ethical standards required by the state, Attorney General Bob Butterworth said Tuesday.

State accuses gas mask company
FORT LAUDERDALE - The state sued a gas mask company Tuesday, accusing it of cashing in on Americans' safety concerns after Sept. 11. State Attorney General Bob Butterworth filed a complaint against CEO Group Inc. and its president, Scott Joseph, for deceptive trade practices. The Fort Lauderdale company, doing business as Gas Mask U.S.A., formed a week after the terrorist attacks.

Despite state effort, slamming remains
Nearly three years after accusing Verizon Select Services Inc. of "slamming" consumers -- or changing their phone service without permission -- state regulators last week accepted a $1.1 million settlement from the company.

Florida's teachers union endorses Burt, Dyer for attorney general
Florida's teachers union endorsed State Sens. Locke Burt, R-Ormond Beach, and Buddy Dyer, D-Orlando, on Friday in their bids to win their respective party's nomination for attorney general. They were to join Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Bill McBride at the Florida Education Association midwinter meeting Friday night in Orlando. McBride was endorsed by FEA last week over three other Democratic hopefuls, including perceived front-runner Janet Reno, the former U.S. attorney general.

'Truth' ads suffer from budget cuts
From months of negotiations, Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth recalls one hard-fought victory against Big Tobacco in particular.

Baseball keeps squeeze play on Forget contraction. Consider baseball's contradictions. Major League Baseball spat tobacco juice in Florida Attorney General Bob Butterworth's eye Thursday, ignoring a deadline to turn over financial records that might support the league's supposed need to downsize.

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