Mark Iandolo News
MedRite settles claims it paid writers for good reviews
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Dec. 2 that MedRite Care LLC (MedRite) has agreed to settle for $100,000 after allegations it paid for positive reviews on consumer-review websites.
Slawson settles with EPA, agrees to upgrade vapor control systems at North Dakota facilities
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 1 that Slawson Exploration Company Inc. will settle allegations of violating the Clean Air Act during its oil and gas production activities in North Dakota.
SEC announces settlement with United Airlines' parent company over flight reinstatement for public official
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 2 that United Airlines’ parent company will pay $2.4 million to resolve allegations that shareholders had to foot the bill for a public official securing convenient flights.
SEC files charges against Expedia employee for allegedly hacking executives
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 5 that it has filed insider trading charges against Jonathan Ly, an Expedia employee, for allegations of hacking senior executives in order to trade on company secrets.
DOJ settles for $350,000 with developers that allegedly violated ADA at six housing complexes in Mississippi
GULFPORT, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 5 that a group of development companies responsible for six multi-family housing complexes in southern Mississippi will pay $350,000 after allegations of violating the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
FTC announces stipulated order in payday loan scam case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a stipulated order Nov. 30 against Jason A. Kotzker that resolves charges that he and his co-defendants received personal information from people who thought they were applying for payday loans online and sold it to a scam that tapped consumers’ bank accounts and credit cards without consent.
EPA settles with Canyon Plastics over alleged Clean Water Act violations
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 1 that it has reached an agreement with Canyon Plastics Inc., resolving allegations of federal Clean Water Act violations.
Texas, 17 other states accuse U.S. over new rules defining 'critical habitats'
MOBILE, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that Texas and 17 other states have filed a lawsuit against the federal government alleging overreach when it comes to new rules expanding the definition of “critical habitats” for endangered and threatened species.
SEC charges Onix Capital with fraud, freezes assets
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced fraud charges and an asset freeze Dec. 1 against Onix Capital LLC, an asset management company based in Miami Beach, Florida, and owner Alberto Chang-Rajii, a Chilean national who fled the country early this year.
U.S. announces $5.5 million judgment against Zen Magnets; all but $10,000 to be suspended
DENVER (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 1 that Zen Magnets LLC, a Colorado company, has been ordered by a federal court to pay $5.5 million in penalties after allegations of selling powerful small magnets that had already been recalled by another company.
EEOC accuses Stevens Transport of violating Americans with Disabilities Act
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Nov. 30 against Stevens Transport, a refrigerated trucking company, for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Arizona attorney general announces telemarketing ban for Larmore Auto Glass
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Dec. 1 that Larmore Auto Glass LLC has been banned from making telemarketing calls for six years after a settlement involving allegations of illegal telemarketing calls to Arizonans listed on the National Do Not Call Registry.
Virginia settles with fundraising company Donorworx over alleged VSOC Law violation
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) —Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced Nov. 30 that Donorworx Inc., a professional fundraiser, will settle after allegations of violating the Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Law (VSOC Law).
FTC bans defendants from selling debt relief services, imposes $27 million in judgments
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a ban Nov. 30 against a group of defendants that allegedly bilked more than $12 million from consumers by falsely promising to reduce credit card interest rates.
York Furniture settles for $10,000 in deceptive business tactics case
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Dec. 1 that York Furniture Inc. will pay $10,000 after allegations it engaged in deceptive acts and made false statements in advertisements.
New York's highest court affirms licensing requirement for Indian Point nuclear power facility
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released a statement Nov. 21 regarding the New York Court of Appeals’ decision to affirm a licensing requirement for the Indian Point nuclear power facility.
EPA and DoJ announce a $9 million settlement over Asheville Superfund Site
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Justice announced Nov. 22 that CTS Corp., Mills Gap Road Associates and Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. will spend roughly $9 million on an interim cleanup at the CTS of Asheville Inc. Superfund Site in Asheville, North Carolina.
ACS Education Services to pay $2.4 million after allegations of deceptions with student loans
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Nov. 22 that ACS Education Services (ACS) will pay $2.4 million after allegations it failed to properly process struggling Massachusetts students’ applications for federal repayment plans intended to lower monthly payments.
FTC, Justice Department warn FERC of evolving electricity markets
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division announced Nov. 28 the submission of a comment to the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding market power in wholesale electricity markets.
Consumer bureau warns financial companies of mismanaged employee incentive programs
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a bulletin Nov. 28 warning supervised financial companies that creating incentives for employees and service providers to meet sales and other business goals can lead to consumer harm if not properly managed.