News from October 2016
Montana, Crow Nation agree to settlement involving coal taxes
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) — Montana Attorney General Tim Fox, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, and Crow Nation Chairman Darrin Old Coyote recently signed an agreement to resolve a case involving assessment of taxes on coal owned by the Crow Nation.
Greek shipping vessel owners to pay $1.3 million after allegations of illegal oil dumping
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington announced last week that the owners and operators of a Greek shipping vessel will pay $1.3 million for allegations of dumping oily waste into the sea.
FTC settles with Chemence after allegations of falsely saying products were 'Made in USA'
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced that Chemence Inc., a specialty chemical company in Georgia, has agreed to not make claims that its strong, fast-acting glues are made in the United States.
Labor Department targets Sentry Equipment Erectors owner for alleged ERISA violations
LYNCHBURG, Va. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor recently filed a lawsuit against the fiduciaries of a Virginia-based employee stock ownership plan for allegations of failing to protect the assets of the plan.
FMC Technologies to pay $2.5 million after allegations it overstated profits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — FMC Technologies will pay $2.5 million after allegations it overstated profits in one of its business segments, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced.
Justice Department intervenes in private discrimination lawsuit against Maryland
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced it would intervene in a private lawsuit alleging race discrimination and retaliation under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by Pocomoke City, Maryland, the Worcester County sheriff and the state of Maryland.
Ernst & Young to pay more than $11.8 million for allegedly failing to detect accounting fraud
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Ernst & Young LLP has agreed to pay more than $11.8 million after allegations related to audits of an oil services company that allegedly used deceptive income tax accounting to inflate earnings, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced.
Class action filed over alleged failure to inform of automatic renewal
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California woman is suing publishing businesses, alleging breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation.
Class action filed against Clearly Natural Essentials
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A New York consumer is suing a Georgia body products business, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Nonprofits sue Suffolk County over ordinance banning sale of substances
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — Nonprofit corporations are suing Suffolk County and county officials, alleging violation of state and federal law.
Customers file class action over flight to Iceland
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Two California customers are suing an Icelandic airline, alleging breach of contract.
Federal judge approves $14.7 billion settlement in Volkswagen emissions class actions
Under the settlement, the German automaker is required to spend up to $10 billion on vehicle buybacks and owner compensation. It also must pay $2.7 billion into a trust to support environmental programs and reduce emissions, and spend an additional $2 billion on investments and promotion of zero emissions vehicles.
Bayer exec: Growth of MDLs has resulted in meritless claims
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Have the benefits of processing mass tort injury claims through multidistrict litigation (MDLs) worn thin?
Romney: Legal system needs to encourage innovation
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney took aim at an ineffective Congress that he says lacks the will to tackle perpetual challenges including the national debt, income inequality, poverty and foreign threats. Yet, he said he remains optimistic.
Calif. decision holds flu shot reminder exempt from telemarketing law
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) - A federal court in California has ruled that a flu shot reminder call from a retail pharmacy did not violate the Telephone Consumer Protection
Act (TCPA) – one of the first rulings of its kind since health care organizations were included in its safe harbor exemptions in 2015.
D.C. Circuit's 'unusual' ruling says CFPB director can be fired
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – An appeals court's ruling that the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's structure is unconstitutional was surprising because of what it declared and for its language, two Washington, D.C.-based regulatory attorneys say.
Manhattan Institute: NLRB's stance on class action waivers wrong
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The National
Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to determine
if arbitration agreements that prohibit employees from pursuing class or
collective actions are unlawful under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)
and unenforceable under the Federal Arbitration Act.
Ariz. court rejects 'take-home' asbestos claims, feared limitless liability
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) - Arizona has joined the list of states refusing to allow claims for what's called "take-home" asbestos exposure.
Faced with class action, Hormel defends "100 percent natural" labeling
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Hormel says a class action lawsuit alleging its products aren't "100 percent natural" is wrong.
Eight consumers accuse Comcast of misleading them
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Eight consumers from around the country are suing Comcast, alleging breach of contract, unfair competition and unjust enrichment.