Legal

Detroit -- U.S. consumer advocate Ralph Nader said taxpayer assistance for General Motors Corp. should not benefit its outsourced operations.

Helsingborg, Sweden -- A Swedish court told a man convicted of attacking his girlfriend with a knife that his sentence was reduced because the woman's dog bit him in the testicles.

Detroit -- Major General Motors Corp. creditors said Friday they had turned down a debt for equity swap, an action that pushes the U.S. automaker closer to bankruptcy.

London -- A London local council charged a preschool $185 to use a patch of grass for its annual picnic due to fears the festivities could harm the lawn.

Canyon -- Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has been indicted by a Randall County (Texas) grand jury on drug and burglary charges, the district attorney's office said.

LOS ANGELES, May 21 (UPI) -- The California Department of Public Health fined 13 hospitals $25,000 as part of violations that allegedly placed patients at risk.

Tallahasse -- A Saturn dealership in Florida has filed suit against General Motors Corp. for devaluing the brand by announcing it was up for sale, court papers say.

Chicago -- The war for the hearts and stomachs of hot dog lovers reached federal court in Chicago Wednesday when Sara Lee Corp. sued Kraft Foods Inc., documents showed.

Modern-day corporations have to battle competitors to get ahead. They have to contend with price wars and, occasionally, the rapidly rising cost of materials and fickle consumers who can leave them with inventory stacked in warehouses. It's tough. And here's another headache: legal fees.

Sacramento -- State prosecutors in California are investigating money manager Stanley Chais's dealings with investor Bernard Madoff, sources close to the office said.