News from March 2015
Louisiana joins multi-state lawsuit against Affordable Care Act
Louisiana has joined five other states in a lawsuit against President Obama over the Affordable Care Act, Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said on Wednesday. Caldwell said that he filed an amicus brief supporting the U.S. House of Representatives’ lawsuit, House of Representatives v. Burwell, which alleges Obama illegally implemented Obamacare.
Mississippi AG beefs up state coffers with settlement money
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office has deposited more than $50 million in settlements since the beginning of the legislative session into the General Fund, Attorney General Jim Hood said on Wednesday. Hood said that the two settlements totaled approximately $30 million, with $26.8 million coming from Standard and Poor’s and about $3.2 million from Capital One.
EmblemHealth agrees to refunds, fine over coverage violations
Insurer EmblemHealth will expand its preventive-care services in an agreement last week with the New York Attorney General’s Office, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. EmblemHealth will be required to cover anesthesiology services in connection with an in-network preventive colonoscopy.
New York sues snow removers, alleges price gouging
The State of New York sued two contractors last week, accusing them of price gouging during a snowstorm last November in Buffalo, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. Schneiderman said the contractors allegedly inflated prices for services and goods during the storm, which dropped about seven feet of snow and resulted in a declaration of a state of emergency.
Alabama used-car dealer hit with permanent injunction
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange said Thursday that he obtained a permanent injunction against a car dealership in Elmore County, alleging the dealer defrauded individual customers and businesses. The injunction was granted by Elmore County Circuit Judge Sibley Reynolds against Quality Used Cars, which was doing business as Pre-Owned Automotive, located at 6153 and 6155 Elmore Road.
Lawsuit: Apple misrepresented iPhone 4s technology
A lawsuit alleges Apple misrepresented the network capabilities of its older iPhones. Patrick Jones and Kyle Stirnaman allege in their lawsuit, filed on March 6, that Apple didn’t switch over the iPhone 4 from a 3G network even though the company said it did.
Dun & Bradstreet accused of violating Do Not Call law
A lawsuit against a telemarketing company alleges it called phone numbers that have been registered with the National Do Not Call Registry. Tranis Cates and Andrew Allison filed the lawsuit on March 4 against Dun & Bradstreet, alleging the company called the consumers and businesses without receiving prior permission to make those calls.
Defunct Massachusetts parenting business agrees to settlement
A Massachusetts parenting-education business will pay approximately $260,000 to settle a case with the state over allegations the financially troubled company continued to advertise and accept payments for its services before closing abruptly in January 2014, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said.
Pennsylvania business to pay $20,000 in consumer fraud case
A Pennsylvania court fined the owner of a home-furnishing business nearly $20,000 for defrauding customers, Attorney General Kathleen Kane said on Tuesday. Michael Free, 63, owner of Electra Lighting and Electric Co., will pay about $4,878 to 11 customers and about $15,000 in state penalties and costs.
Arkansas joins federal emissions lawsuit against EPA
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia granted a motion this week by the State of Arkansas to join a federal lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over carbon emissions, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said.
Court: N.Y. Papa John's franchise underpaid workers
A New York Papa John's pizza franchise owner will pay approximately $2 million for underpaying its delivery drivers at five Harlem restaurants, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said. A court ruled that New Majority Holdings and owner Ronald Johnson were liable for not adequately paying hundreds of workers in the Manhattan area.
N.Y. settlement requires credit agencies to improve reports
A settlement has been reached between the nation's three credit-reporting agencies and the State of New York, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Monday.
Connecticut AG forms new data privacy department
Department to work on investigations related to privacy and data security.
Vt. pesticide company fined $70,000 for using banned chemical
Company owner also ordered to surrender his business license.
Connecticut AG asks Lumber Liquidators about formaldehyde levels
Chinese-made laminate flooring could contain high levels of dangerous chemical.
R.I. recycling companies hit with environmental complaint
Scrap metal recycling operations allegedly damaged Providence waterfront.
Bank sued over mortgage insurance policies
A major bank was sued on Feb. 26 over allegations that it abused its right to force borrowers to purchase mortgage insurance.
AGs team up to investigate herbal supplements industry
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman joins coalition to look at purity of products.
Energy company sued for alleged unfair pricing
An energy company was sued on March 3 over allegations that it's charging customers an unfair price compared to the market rate.
SEC sues China business over allegedly concealing CFO resignation
A federal lawsuit claims a Chinese infrastructure corporation attempted to conceal that its chief financial officer had resigned in 2011.