News from May 2024
Federal judge allows some NAS claims to move forward
SAN FRANCISCO – A California federal judge has denied parts of a motion to dismiss some Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome claims against a management consulting company, allowing the claims of some West Virginia children to move forward.
Nonprofits, industry associations file amicus brief in support of upholding Prop 22
On April 3, five organizations - Chamber of Progress, NetChoice, Asian Industry B2B, the Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and sf.citi - submitted an amicus brief urging the California Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 22. This voter-approved measure from 2020 classifies app-based transportation and delivery drivers as independent contractors.
The Buckeye Institute highlights rising hospital costs as a significant driver of healthcare prices
In a recent policy memo, The Buckeye Institute highlighted rising hospital costs as one of the most significant drivers of healthcare costs. Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, pointed out that hospital costs account for 30 percent of all healthcare spending.
Panera restaurants pull Charged Lemonades from their menus in the wake of lawsuits
Panera restaurants plan to remove their Charged Lemonade beverages from menus in the wake of two wrongful-death lawsuits filed against the company by the families of customers who consumed the drinks, including a Florida man.
Lawyers hit with $10K in sanctions over 'schoolyard bullying'
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A California law firm must pay $10,000 in sanctions for behavior an appellate judge likened to “the adult equivalent of schoolyard bullying,” including refusing to respond to requests for evidence and sending sneering emails to opposing counsel.
New Jersey court rejects contractor's claim he was an employee
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled against a real estate salesperson who entered into an agreement as an independent contractor but then sued under the theory he was an employee of the company.
Feds accuse PHEEA, student loan trusts of botching pandemic
SCRANTON, Pa. (Legal Newsline) - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has filed suit against the trusts that administer student loans, arguing they failed to grant forbearance to debtors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Law firm wants client data back from debt-settlement company
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - Following a split, a law firm representing clients troubled by debt has gone to court to retrieve their information from a settlement company.
Former sheriff's deputy charged with civil rights violation over fatal shooting
A former San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy, Aaron Russell, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in San Diego on two counts. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of Nicholas Bils on May 1, 2020. Russell is accused of depriving Bils of his right to be free from officers using excessive force and discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.
Arizona woman faces charges for stabbing and attempted robbery
Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced today that Dusti Turner, a 35-year-old woman from Arizona, has been charged with stabbing and attempted robbery in Providence County Superior Court. The incident occurred at a Providence bus terminal.
Vermont resident sentenced for possession of child sexual abuse material
The Attorney General’s Office has announced that Everett Kidder, a 56-year-old resident of Braintree, Vermont, was sentenced today in the Vermont Superior Court, Lamoille Criminal Division. Mr. Kidder pleaded guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Pornography, now referred to as Child Sexual Abuse Material.
Dayton woman indicted for $1.5 million Medicaid fraud
A Montgomery County woman, previously prohibited from serving as a Medicaid health care provider, has been indicted for defrauding the Ohio Medicaid program again, according to an announcement by Ohio Attorney General Yost.
Maine Supreme Judicial Court seeks feedback on appellate procedure amendments
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has issued an invitation for comments on proposed amendments to the Maine Rules of Appellate Procedure. The proposed changes aim to clarify procedures for motions for reconsideration of procedural orders and final decisions, as well as require sequential page numbering in briefs and appendices using Arabic numerals. This will ensure that the page numbers on a brief or appendix correlate with the page numbers in the PDF version of the same document.
8th Circuit affirms district court ruling in Jacam Chemical Co. case
The United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit has upheld the district court's decision in the case of Jacam Chemical Co. 2013, LLC v. Arthur Shepard, Jr., as per U.S. Court of Appeals Case No: 23-1193 and Case No: 23-1289.
New York man sentenced in decade-old Vermont heroin case
The Office of the Attorney General announced that Brooklyn, New York resident Maleek S. Drummond, 43, was sentenced today in Vermont Superior Court, Addison County, Criminal Division. Drummond pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession of two grams or more of heroin. Judge John W. Valente presided over the case and sentenced Drummond according to the plea agreement made by both parties. The sentence is set for 10 to 11 months of incarceration.
Attorney General highlights importance of hearing health during National Speech-Language-Hearing Month
In recognition of National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, Virginia's Attorney General Jason Miyares has emphasized the significance of regular hearing tests and provided advice for individuals contemplating the acquisition of a hearing aid. The importance of these actions stems from research indicating that untreated hearing loss can negatively affect various aspects of an individual's health and well-being.
Sheffield resident receives probation for child sexual abuse material possession
The Attorney General’s Office announced that Benjamin Mallery, 32, of Sheffield, Vermont, was sentenced yesterday in Vermont Superior Court, Caledonia Criminal Division. Mallery had pleaded guilty to one felony count of Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Materials. The presiding judge, Michael Kainen, sentenced the defendant on May 16, 2024. By agreement, the sentence included 18 months to 5 years in jail all suspended with a 10-year term of probation.
Richmond man pleads guilty to armed robbery at convenience store
RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond man pleaded guilty today after discharging a firearm during an armed robbery at a convenience store. According to court documents, on July 3, 2023, Darryl Nathaniel Cole, 59, entered a 7-Eleven on Mechanicsville Turnpike and attempted to purchase tobacco products. When another customer entered the store, Cole briefly left and returned minutes later.
Muscle Shoals man indicted for multiple property crimes: Alabama Attorney General
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has announced the indictment of a Muscle Shoals man, Gregory Clay Kirk, in a case involving multiple property crimes. Kirk was arrested and booked into the Madison County Jail on Thursday with his bond set at $475,000.
Ohio's job market cools down amid rising unemployment: Buckeye Institute
Rea S. Hederman Jr., executive director of the Economic Research Center and vice president of policy at The Buckeye Institute, has shared his insights on the latest jobs report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.