News from May 2015
State senator to face governor’s son in Kentucky AG race
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - GOP state Sen. Whitney Westerfield will face Democrat Andy Beshear in November for Kentucky attorney general.
Pennsylvania AG sues landlord for not providing utilities to tenants
A Pittsburgh landlord was hit with a lawsuit on Tuesday for allegedly failing to provide the required utility services to tenants, said Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane.
Philip Morris says plaintiffs have not proven damages as Ill. high court takes on $10B tobacco case, again
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – “Big Jim” Thompson, an Illinois governor who did not go to prison, stood taller than ever in the Supreme Court chamber on May 19.
Study shows $24M per NYC asbestos plaintiff in consolidated trials
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Asbestos cases that are consolidated for trial in New York City’s asbestos docket result in larger jury awards, according to a study by an economic consulting firm.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau suit accuses mortgage firm of false advertising
The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing a national mortgage lender claiming it falsely advertising how much it can save consumers through its program. The bureau filed the lawsuit on May 11 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Nationwide Biweekly Administration. Inc., Loan Payment Administration, LLC and Daniel Lipsky, the founder and president of both companies. The suit claims National Biweekly's “interest minimizer” program doesn't save
Kentucky's suit claims Marathon monopolizes gasoline market in state
The State of Kentucky filed a lawsuit against a major gasoline company claiming anticompetitive practices that drove up the price of fuel in the state compared to bordering states.
Suit claims Costco overcharges on sales tax for discounted items
A group of California residents is suing a major wholesale store over allegations the wholesaler violated state law by charging customers more sales tax than they should have for discounted items. Thomas Brooks, John Conrad, Gloria Kent, Eileen Kolkey, Robert Kolkey, Raymond Lee, Richard Parcel, Jeffrey Sobel and Byram Williams filed the lawsuit on May 8 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Costco Wholesale Corp.
Previously sealed Garlock bankruptcy record now available online
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The entire catalogue of evidence that led to a judge's landmark ruling and scathing judgment of asbestos plaintiffs attorneys in the Garlock Sealing Technologies bankruptcy now can be found and accessed on Legal Newsline’s website.
Dell sued for allegedly misleading stockholders on strength of overseas market
A major computer manufacturer is being sued over making false statements about the strength of its business in overseas markets.
JP Morgan accused of manipulating foreign exchange rates, collecting millions
Customers at a major banking company are suing the business claiming it secretly collected millions of dollars by manipulating foreign exchange rates.
Louisiana files suit against makers of blood thinner medication
The State of Louisiana filed suit against a pharmaceutical partnership for falsely advertising a prescription drug's effectiveness.
U.S. SC will not hear ‘John Doe’ lawsuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear a lawsuit seeking to quash a secret, or “John Doe,” investigation into Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s 2012 recall campaign.
Costco sued for allegedly sending unwanted faxed advertisements
A major wholesale company is accused of violating federal law by sending advertisements over a fax machine.
HP sued for allegedly starting warranties for computers prior to consumers purchasing products
A major computer manufacturer is being sued over allegations that it started warranties for its computers prior to customers purchasing the products, which violates California and Massachusetts state law.
AG Madigan sues Ciecro gas company over leaks and contamination
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed an amended lawsuit on Thursday against a Cicero-based oil production facility alleging oil spills in 2014 caused the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal to be contaminated.
Phillips 66 to pay California $11.5M for anti-pollution violations
Two gasoline companies will pay $11.5 million to settle a lawsuit with the state of California over allegations that the companies didn't properly maintaining underground gasoline storage tanks, said California Attorney General Kamala Harris on Thursday.
Texas security company files patent infringement lawsuit against federal government
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A Plano, Texas, security company last week sued the federal government for patent infringement.
Hyundai sued for alleged engine failures in Sonata vehicles
A major automobile manufacturer is facing allegations that it knew about a possible defect in a particular model vehicle that caused the engine to seize without warning.
Game developer sued for misleading statements about competitiveness in Chinese market
A mobile game developer is being sued for making misleading statements to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission prior to its initial public offering.