News from May 2016
CFPB using email between management in lawsuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is pointing to a cartoon featuring a man using a gun that was sent in an email as it pursues litigation against two businesses.
Judge dismisses FCA claim against hospice provider; DOJ likely to appeal
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — After meandering through the legal system and attracting a lot of attention, a lawsuit alleging a national chain of hospice providers made false Medicare claims has been dismissed.
Boston plaintiffs attorney targets startup companies in class actions
Shannon Liss-Riordan of Lichten & Liss-Riordan PC has filed at least five class action lawsuits against various start-ups, including Lyft and Grubhub, since January 2015.
American Casing & Equipment Inc. to pay $250,000 after allegations of discrimination
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that American Casing & Equipment Inc. will pay $250,000 after allegations it committed race and national origin discrimination and retaliation.
FTC, Florida AG take action against alleged student loan debt relief schemes
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that, in association with the State of Florida, it has taken action against Consumer Assistance Project and Student Aid Center for allegedly running fake student loan debt relief schemes.
FTC announces settlement with Viatek Consumer Products Group
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Viatek Consumer Products Group Inc. and company owner and President Lou Lentine will settle after allegations of false claims about Viatek-brand Mosquito Shield Bands.
EEOC announces $85,000 settlement with McWhite's Funeral Home
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that McWhite’s Funeral Home of Fort Lauderdale will pay $85,000 and furnish other relief to settle allegations of sexual harassment.
FTC testifies before Congress to express views on 17 bills
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it testified before Congress about its views on 17 bills Congress is considering that deal with the agency’s jurisdiction and operations.
Zoo Printing to pay $110,000 to settle disability discrimination allegations
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Zoo Printing Inc. will pay $110,000 to settle allegations of disability discrimination and retaliation.
Labor Department targets Demmy Sand & Gravel for alleged ERISA violations
CINCINNATI, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor has announced it has filed a lawsuit against Amy Demmy Rap, Demmy Sand & Gravel LLC and Demmy Sand & Gravel LLC Retirement Savings Plan after allegations the defendants violated the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Texas attorney general announces settlement in Venmo security case
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced PayPal Inc. has settled allegations related to the security of its Venmo mobile application (“app”).
Federal judge dismisses class action filed against Target over background check disclosure
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, if an employer intends to obtain a report about a job applicant, the employer must notify the applicant. Such notification must be in a separate document without any unrelated information. The named plaintiff in the action alleged Target included extraneous terms and conditions in its Consent & Disclosure document and in so doing, willfully violated the FCRA.
New York attorney general announces contractor scheme to cheat employees
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced Lalo Drywall Inc. and its owner, Sergio Raymundo, have admitted to cheating eight workers at a Harlem housing project out of roughly $800,000 in wages over a 17-month period.
LearningRx marketers to pay $200,000 to settle deceptive advertising allegations
DENVER (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the developers and marketers of the LearningRx “brain training” programs have settled to pay $200,000 and agreed to stop making allegedly false and unsubstantiated claims.
Federal judge grants Arkansas right to intervene in U.S. Labor Department case
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has announced a federal judge has granted Arkansas and nine other states the right to intervene in a case that challenges the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Persuader Advice Exemption Rule.
FTC bureau director comments on Jerk.com owner court decision
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Jessica Rich, director of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection, has released comments on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit's decision to uphold an FTC summary decision against John Fanning, creator of Jerk.com.
California attorney general targets Pong Marketing over illegal gambling allegations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has announced her office has filed a lawsuit against Pong Marketing & Promotions Inc. for allegations of illegal gambling.
2 Alabama residents allege Hobby Lobby's coupons misleading
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) - Two Alabama residents are suing Hobby Lobby, alleging its coupons and sales mislead consumers.
California consumer alleges Suited Connector sent spam texts
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California man is suing a consumer industry company, alleging it sent text messages without consent.
Illinois consumer alleges Life Protect 24/7 made unsolicited calls
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - An Illinois man is suing a medical alert systems company, alleging it called his cellphone without his consent.