News from October 2015
Claims of discrimination against black, Hispanic communities asserted against New Jersey bank
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) - A New Jersey bank allegedly "redlined" by locating its branches and selecting mortgage brokers almost exclusively outside of majority black and Hispanic neighborhoods.
LPL Financial LLC alleged faulty practices result in settlement agreement with Delaware Attorney General's Office
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - A Delaware broker-dealer and federally covered investment adviser settled with the Delaware Attorney General’s Investor Protection Unit and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office over its practices regarding leveraged exchange trade funds.
Regulations increasing accountability on California businesses proposed under Proposition 65
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - California law requiring businesses to warn individuals of exposure to any listed carcinogens or reproductive toxins is undergoing proposed changes to increase protection of the citizens from abuse of the legislation and holding California businesses more accountable.
$69.5M settlement reached between U.S., Florida hospital over alleged False Claims Act violation
FLORIDA (Legal Newsline) - Claims of alleged fraudulent activity regarding the referral of doctors has led to a $69.5 million settlement between the U.S. and a Florida hospital.
Center for Class Action Fairness argues selection of Volkswagen MDL court is ‘critical’
The non-profit filed an amicus brief with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation this week. The panel is scheduled to hear about the hundreds of class actions facing the automaker over its emissions scandal in December.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finds arbitration clauses violate consumer’s rights, proposes ban
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is proposing a ban on arbitration clauses that are generally hidden in financial service contracts between consumers and financial institutions offering student loans, credit cards and other products.
$26.75M multi-state settlement reached with waste disposal company amid alleged false claim acts violations
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A $26.75 million multi-state settlement has been reached with waste disposal company Stericycle after allegations of violating false claims acts in 12 states, announced Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi's office.
Fla. plaintiffs attorneys pushing for rule that could lead to wrongful convictions, criminal defense lawyer says
Bruce Lyons says adopting a less-strict standard on the admissibility of expert witnesses would be a "big step backward in forensic evidence."
Future of case against Best Buy could depend on if consumers are seen as gullible
Best Buy is facing a lawsuit after claims the company rescinded orders made by consumers without their permission.
Professor/whistleblower sues Citigroup for $800 million, plans to donate to charity
“My ultimate motivations are both justice, and the money that I’ll get, which I will be donating to charity,” Rasmusen said.
Eighth Circuit decertifies environmental class action filed over ‘fears’
The federal appellate court concluded that the plaintiff landowners lacked evidence that their properties had been contaminated by a once-leaking ConocoPhillips pipeline.
iHeartMedia being sued by music holders over lack of compensation claims
ALBANY, Ga. (Legal Newsline) - Two music holding owners are suing one of the largest Internet radio services over alleged copyright violations.
Pay-to-play fantasy sports sites told to stop operating in Nevada
Pay-to-play daily fantasy sports websites operating in Nevada have been warned: get a license, or get out.
Data privacy attorney: Plaintiffs’ lawyers will need to consider Eleventh Circuit’s ruling on free mobile apps
Though the court’s decision is only binding in three states, it is “definitely negative precedent” that plaintiffs’ attorneys in class action litigation will need to keep in mind, says Rhode Island attorney Linn Freedman. She says companies also should proceed cautiously in the wake of this month’s ruling.
Attorney for former Kan. AG says client's suspension was 'endless levels of garbage'
On Monday, former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline filed a federal lawsuit against the Kansas Supreme Court, Kansas Disciplinary Administrator Stan Hazlett, and the replacement judges serving on the Supreme Court panel that indefinitely suspended him in October 2013.
P.F. Chang’s argues that newest complaint in class action over its gluten-free menu ‘comes up short’
The restaurant chain wants the plaintiff’s first amended complaint, filed by a woman who claims it violated federal anti-discrimination laws, dismissed. The federal judge presiding over the case has set a hearing on the motion for later this week.
Sports nutrition companies face lawsuit over claims of falsely advertising its products as legal steroids
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – An Orange County man is suing a sports nutrition company, claiming it misleads consumers about its products.
TXL Mortgage Corp. faces a lawsuit against federal government
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Legal Newsline) - The United States government is suing a mortgage company for damages over nine loans that allegedly violated Federal Housing Administration rules.
UFC fighters battle it out over combat sports law in New York
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – UFC fighters are fighting to change New York’s law on combative sports.
Southwest Airlines facing lawsuit over cancellation procedures
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Two Contra Costa County residents are taking one of the nation’s largest airlines to court over its cancellation policy.