News from April 2016
Defendant defeats class certification, closes case with payment
NEW YORK – Courts can close a lawsuit brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) after the plaintiff has made an offer, a federal judge for the Southern District of New York ruled on March 17.
Federal Circuit to decide on bid to change where patent cases can be filed
PALO ALTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Companies that are targets of patent litigation should keep an eye on a case now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit that could lead to far-reaching changes about where patent lawsuits can be filed across the nation, a Silicon Valley intellectual property attorney said.
Customers accuse Mazda of manufacturing cars with clutch defect
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Several U.S. customers are suing Mazda, alleging certain of its vehicles contain a design defect with the clutch.
Supreme Court mulling expansion of False Claims Act lawsuits
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – U.S. Supreme Court justices on April 19 heard arguments in a case that could expand liability for defendants in False Claims Act cases.
Ohio man alleges fake discounts on Wish
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - An Ohio man is suing a home goods and apparel company, alleging it advertises fake discounts.
Bose cooperating with plaintiffs in class action, attorney says
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit against Bose Corp. for alleged violations of a California law designed to protect consumers’ privacy and personal information may be moving toward a resolution as lawyers for both sides have had cooperative discussions about the case, the plaintiffs' attorney said.
California man alleges Dish Network deceives Spanish-speaking customers
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California man is suing a television company, alleging it deceives Spanish-speaking customers.
California consumer sues Kidfresh for allegedly misrepresenting its frozen food items
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A California resident is suing a frozen foods company, alleging it misrepresents its products as being healthy.
California consumer alleges Vigo octopus products are actually squid
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A California consumer is suing a food company, alleging it misrepresents its octopus products.
California consumer accuses Tidal owners of false promise on Kanye West offer
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California consumer is suing the owners of a music streaming service, alleging it induced people to subscribe based on a false promise.
Nine attorneys general request Supreme Court to strike down regulatory land rule
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge recently joined together with eight other attorneys general in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a rule that would give the government too much leeway to regulate land without justly compensating property owners.
Maryland AG files complaint against Perry Willey Rental for alleged violations of Consumer Protection Act
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division has filed charges against Perry Willey Rental and its owners for allegedly failing to deliver properties it accepted prepaid rent and security deposits for, Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced.
CFPB takes action against co-founders of T3Leads
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed complaints in federal court against the two co-founders of T3Leads, alleging the defendants resold loan applications that contained sensitive personal data to lenders without assessing the source of the leads.
Ohio AG looking into possible bid-rigging scheme in water treatment industry
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that his office will look into the drinking water and waste water industry to uncover a possible scheme involving rigging the sales of aluminum sulfate.
Mass.-based contractor to pay $60,000 after allegations of violating the state's Clean Air Act
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that home improvement contractor Pablo Carbonell will pay up to $60,000 after allegations he failed to follow required procedures during the improper removal of asbestos-containing shingles from an Ayer home undergoing renovation.
CFPB analyzing hidden costs associated with payday loans
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a report that details the steep, hidden costs to online payday loans that come when online lenders debit payments from a consumer’s checking account.
Arizona attorney general takes action against Volkswagen over alleged fraud
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced that his office filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche for alleged fraud involving false advertising, sales and leasing of so-called environmentally friendly, low-emission clean diesel cars.
Ohio woman alleges Direct Energy deceived consumers
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) - An Ohio woman is suing an energy company, alleging it deceived customers.
EPA settles with LHP over allegations of violating lead rules
LENEXA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) —The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with LHP LLC, a company that owns and rents numerous housing units, after allegations of violating the Lead Renovation Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule.
66 companies to contribute to Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund site cleanup
WHITTIER, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — Sixty-six companies will work to help clean up contaminated groundwater at the Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund site in Whittier, California, the Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced.