News from June 2016
Ames Landscaping Services pays $57,000 for allegedly not paying overtime
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that Ames Landscaping Services (ALS) and its owner, Ralph E. Ames III, will pay $57,000 after allegations of failing to pay proper overtime to employees.
Mass. AG, told to 'f... off,' not commenting; Advocate calls her a thug
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey isn't publicly addressing the think tank founder who told her to "f... off" after she issued a subpoena seeking his group's communication with ExxonMobil regarding climate change.
Texas judge temporarily blocks U.S. Department of Labor’s ‘persuader rule’
The new Persuader Advice Exemption Rule requires that employers and the consultants they hire file reports not only for direct persuader activities -- i.e. consultants talking to workers -- but also for indirect persuader activities -- consultants scripting what managers and supervisors say to workers.
Nutrimost franchisees accuse parent company of RICO violations
NEW YORK — Nutrimost franchisees are suing the parent company, alleging fraudulent schemes within the business franchise system.
FTC approves ProMedica Health System's divestiture of St. Luke's Hospital
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it has approved ProMedica Health System’s divestiture of former rival, St. Luke’s Hospital, under the provisions of an FTC order and after a public comment period.
Maryland Property Review Board to pay back consumers it allegedly victimized
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh has announced Maryland Property Review Board LLC and its owners (MPRB) will pay back consumers and pay a $200,000 civil penalty after allegedly charging more than 450 consumers $99 each to file an appeal of the consumers’ property tax assessment – an act that consumers can do themselves for free.
EEOC targets Nevada Health Centers, Ultracare Las Vegas for alleged sex discrimination
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced it has charged Nevada Health Centers Inc. and Ultracare Las Vegas with violations of federal law after allegedly discharging a qualified male ultrasound technician because of his gender.
Consumers win in D.C. Circuit's net neutrality decision
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — A Utah attorney calls the decision in United States Telecom Association, et al v. Federal Communications Commission and United States of America a “slam-dunk win for consumers.”
Second amended complaint filed against Heinz over 'Made in the U.S.A.' label
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – The Southern California woman whose lawsuit was dismissed against Kraft Heinz Food Co., regarding false advertising of its ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ foods has filed a second amended complaint against the company.
Customers accuse Trader Joe's of false advertising of maple products
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers have filed a class-action lawsuit alleging a grocer's cereals and oatmeals do not contain maple as advertised.
Man claims Libido-Max does not work as advertised
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges that a supplement marketed to men does not work as advertised.
Class-action suit filed against Russell Brands over basketballs
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the makers of a basketball alleging it loses air pressure and is falsely advertised.
Suit claims Pampers wipes are not natural as advertised
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California woman has filed a class-action suit against a maker of products for infants over allegations its products are falsely advertised as natural.
Man claims Lenscrafters would not provide eyewear information
NEWARK (Legal Newsline) – A Jersey City man alleges he was refused his eyewear prescription information and has filed a class-action suit.
Jennifer Lawrence's character a 'font of misinformation,' court rules in rejecting defamation case
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – An author whose casual mention in the film "American Hustle" triggered a defamation lawsuit that was rejected by a California appeals court earlier this month might have fared better had the film been a documentary, an entertainment industry attorney said in a recent interview.
Ohio employers need to prepare for state's new medical marijuana law, attorney says
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Ohio's new law that legalizes medical marijuana in the state may end up conflicting with federal law, depending on a looming decision about whether to change marijuana's drug status, an employment attorney said during a recent interview.
Consumer accuses CVS Health of fraud
CHICAGO — An Illinois consumer is suing CVS Health, alleging the company put an incorrect label on a moisturizing gel.
Lawless Denim to pay up to $20,000 after allegedly ripping off customers
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Lawless Denim, a former Phoenix clothing retailer, will provide up to $20,000 in funds to be used as refunds for consumers allegedly victimized by the company, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has announced.
Jimmy John's agrees to stop including non-compete agreements in hiring packets
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches has agreed to stop including sample non-compete agreements in hiring packets it sends to franchisees, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
Trader Joe's agrees to reduce potent greenhouse gas emissions
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced Trader Joe’s Company, a national grocery store chain, has agreed to reduce potent greenhouse gas emissions from refrigeration equipment at 453 of its stores.