In The News Today – January 30, 2015

Weitz & Luxenberg, the plaintiffs’ firm that paid indicted New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver “millions over a dozen years,” yesterday asked Silver to take a leave of absence “until these allegations are resolved.” Federal prosecutors allege Silver delivered “$500,000 in state grants to Dr. Robert Taub of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center for asbestos research in exchange for the doctor referring patients to the law firm.” (New York Post)

The Andry Lerner law firm is being asked to return $54,000 in fees related to the claim of a Louisiana boat captain who received a $221,000 settlement payment from the BP as part of the Gulf Oil Spill settlement. Special Master Louis Freeh, in court filings this week, accused the boat captain of doctoring IRS forms to support his claim. (Louisiana Record)