News from June 2015
AG Healey calls on Congress to change nuclear fuel rod storage policies
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, urging Congress to regulate the disposal of spent fuel rods at nuclear power plants.
Massachusetts AG announces regulations for earned sick time law
Official regulations for the State of Massachusetts' Earned Sick Time law were published late last week by state Attorney General Maura Healey.
Maine AG: FDA should add e-cigs to Tobacco Control Act
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration should act on its proposal to add e-cigarettes to the Tobacco Control Act, Maine Attorney General Janet Mills said this week.
Colorado sends out $450K to homeowners in restitution from lawsuit against foreclosure firm
About $450,000 in checks have been sent out by the Colorado Attorney General's Office to consumers who were improperly charged posting and title foreclosure costs by a now closed law firm, said Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman.
Skilled nursing facility to pay $17 million for alleged kickback scheme
A Florida-based skilled nursing facility will pay the federal government $17 million to settle a lawsuit that claimed the company paid doctors in order to receive Medicare referrals for patients that required skilled nursing care.
Hospice care to pay $10 million for allegedly overcharging Medicaid
A non-profit hospice care provider will pay $10.1 million to the federal government for overcharging Medicare, Tricare and Medicaid, said Deputy Assistant U.S.
New York car dealerships to pay $14M for allegedly 'jamming' consumers
Three New York car dealerships agreed to a $14 million settlement with the state in order to settle a lawsuit that claimed the companies practices resulted in inflated car prices, said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Lyft to pay New York $300K for allegedly violating state law
A popular driving service will pay the State of New York $300,000 for allegedly violating state and municipal laws, said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. Schneiderman said Lyft, which provides a driving service through a smartphone app, reached the terms of the settlement last week, and has agreed to comply with all relevant laws.
Dental management company to pay New York $450K to settle lawsuit
An East Syracuse dental administrative company will pay $450,000 in civil penalties to the state, and will overhaul the way it does its business in New York as part of a settlement with the state, said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Garlock bankruptcy plan includes national ads targeting asbestos victims
Garlock Sealing Technologies has employed a nationally recognized firm to provide notice -- by way of newspaper supplements, magazines, television and even the Internet -- to potential asbestos claimants as part of its bankruptcy proceeding.
Prosecutor to make second bid for Vermont AG
Chittenden County state's attorney to challenge incumbent Bill Sorrell for second time
Class action alleges pharma company’s patent infringement lawsuit a ‘sham’
The United Food and Commercial Workers Unions and Employers Midwest Health Benefits Fund, or UFCW, and the Laborers Health and Welfare Trust Fund for Northern California filed the lawsuit on behalf of a class of all purchasers of Novartis’ Gleevec drug
Doctor in Sheldon Silver case treated plaintiff three weeks before Weitz firm filed possible $11M lawsuit
The doctor who is alleged to have steered mesothelioma patients to the law firm of then-New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver treated a now-deceased man 22 days before Silver’s firm filed a lawsuit on the man’s behalf that resulted in an $11 million verdict.
South Dakota AG elected head of attorneys general group
Marty Jackley to serve as NAAG president; Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt elected vice president
Massachusetts settles with metal-cladding company over wastewater allegations
An Attleboro, Massachusetts metal-cladding company will pay a $50,000 civil penalty for the state to settle a lawsuit over allegations that its illegally stored industrial wastewater at its facility, said sate Attorney General Maura Healey.
Kentucky to receive $12K in $6M federal settlement with pharmaceutical company
Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway said the state will receive about $12,000 as a result of a federal settlement with a pharmaceutical company to resolve allegations that the company illegally marketed one of its drugs.
Colorado Supreme Court rules in favor of workplace drug policies
Colorado employers have a right to a drug-free workplace after the state's Supreme Court's ruling last week, said Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman.
Patent appeal board’s new pilot program hopes to reduce backlog of appeals
Program will allow those with multiple appeals before the PTAB to expedite review
Former Hawaii AG among those recommended for federal judgeship
David Louie is one of three potential nominees for the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii
U.S. PTO to reexamine Invisalign maker’s patent portfolio
Office granted ClearCorrect's request to review three patents assigned to its competitor.