Mark Iandolo News
ORB to pay more than $700,000 for alleged oil spills
BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) – ORB Exploration LLC (ORB) will pay more than $700,000 in penalties and costs to settle allegations it violated the Clean Water Act and state environmental laws due to three crude oil spills.
New York attorney general seeks recall of toys with allegedly high lead levels
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office has found that many children’s jewelry-making kits supplied by LaRose Industries allegedly have high lead levels.
Mass. AG takes action against Veolia
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – The Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has sued Veolia Water North America-Northeast LLC (Veolia) for allegedly failing to properly operate the town of Plymouth’s wastewater treatment plant and collection system.
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.
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.
Alabama attorney general commends EPA decision to withdraw proposed emission rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange recently commented on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to withdraw its proposed emission rule that would have banned the usage of converted street vehicles for off-street racing.
Financial Help Services barred from doing business in Kansas pending lawsuit
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has announced that Financial Help Services Inc. has been barred from doing business in Kansas due to concern over its business practices.
Four companies agree to settle case involving alleged false skincare products claims
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — In a recent deal with the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC), four companies that market skin care products,
shampoos and sunscreens have agreed to stop making alleged false claims about
the “all natural” or “100 percent natural” aspect of their products.
Step by Step Senior Care OKs $718,000 settlement after false claims allegations
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — Step by Step Senior Care Inc., an Arkansas home health care company, will pay $718,365.74 to resolve allegations of false claims, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has announced.
43 businesses join Massachusetts effort to support anti-discrimination law against transgender people
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced 43 businesses have joined in urging the state legislature to take a favorable vote on legislation prohibiting discrimination against transgender people.
EEOC announces $1.65 million deal with Local 25 trade union over race discrimination allegations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that Local 25 of the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association and its associated apprenticeship school agreed to pay $1.65 million combined due to allegations of race discrimination.
New York AG takes action against CDPHP for issue related to hepatitis C treatment
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office will take action against Capital District Physician’s Health Plan
(CDPHP) by suing the company for allegedly restricting coverage of treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection.
Court postpones GMA trial after new evidence is brought forward
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – A Thurston County Superior Court judge recently postponed the trial in Washington State’s case against the Grocery Manufacturers Association after GMA produced new evidence on the eve of the trial, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced.
New York AG reaches settlement with local taxicab companies
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Evgeny “Gene” Freidman and four taxicab companies owned in part by him will pay more than $250,000 in fines, damages and restitution for allegedly violating taxi drivers’ rights and breaking a 2013 settlement agreement, New York Attorney General Eric T. Scheiderman announced.