Mark Iandolo News
Kansas district court orders roofing contractor to pay $46,000 for alleged consumer violations
LAWRENCE, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Dec. 9 that Aaron Joshua Damm, who did business as Kaw Valley Roofing, has been ordered to pay roughly $46,000 in restitution to consumers after allegedly violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.
FTC OKs final consent order against Mars Petcare, settling allegations of false advertising
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 13 that, following a public comment period, it has approved a final consent order against Mars Petcare U.S. settling charges of false advertising related to the health benefits of the company’s Eukanuba brand dog food.
SEC charges two New Jersey-based traders with allegations of manipulating the stock market
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges Dec. 12 against New Jersey-based traders Joseph Taub and Elazar Shmalo for allegedly manipulating more than 2,000 NYSE- and NASDAQ-traded stocks and gaining roughly $26 million in profits from successful trades.
Wal-Mart store in Illinois to pay former employee $75,000 after allegations of disability discrimination
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - The EEOC announced Dec. 12 that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will pay a former employee $75,000 after allegations of disability discrimination.
EEOC takes action against Goodwill Industries in California for allegedly allowing sexual harassment
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Dec. 13 alleging that Goodwill Industries of the East Bay Area in California, along with affiliate Calidad Industries, violated federal law by allowing sexual harassment and disability discrimination and retaliating against managers who tried to help the victims.
EPA proposes ban on certain uses of chemical TCE
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 7 that it has proposed a ban on select uses of the toxic chemical trichloroethylene (TCE).
5,000 Virginia consumers who attended Corinthian Colleges schools could be eligible for loan forgiveness
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) – Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced Dec. 6 that more than 5,000 Virginia students formerly enrolled in schools operated by Corinthian Colleges Inc. - including Everest Institute, Everest College, Everest University, Heald College and Wyotech - could receive loan forgiveness.
Bristol-Myers Squibb settles with 43 states over Abilify
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced Dec. 8 that California, along with 42 other states and the District of Columbia, reached a $19.5 million settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb over allegations the pharmaceutical company illegally marketed popular atypical antipsychotic drug Abilify. California will receive $1.3 million of the overall settlement.
CFPB orders three reverse mortgage companies to cease alleged deceptive practices and pay penalties
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Dec. 7 that it has ordered American Advisors Group, Reverse Mortgage Solutions, and Aegean Financial to stop alleged deceptive advertising practices, implement systems to ensure they are complying with all laws, and pay penalties.
Ariz. AG seeks dismissal of more than 1,000 ADA cases
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Dec. 8 that his office has filed a motion to dismiss more than 1,000 open lawsuits put forth by an alleged serial litigator who targets Arizona businesses.
Auto Number One to cease operations in Massachusetts after allegations it sold unsafe cars
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Dec. 7 that Auto Number One Inc. and its owner Mark Hanna will cease operations and pay restitution for allegedly selling unsafe and unreliable cars, failing to make repairs that were promised or required under warranties and operating in unlicensed locations.
New York attorney general targets Rochester contractor for alleged fraud
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Dec. 8 that his office has filed legal action against George Frisch, president of Dynabuild Construction Group Inc., seeking a permanent injunction to stop his alleged fraud.
Schneiderman happy with PHMSA decision to hear oil transport petition
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released comments Dec. 6 on the announcement by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that it will act on his oil shipping petition.
Wash. AG sues Monsanto over PCB-related issues; Company calls lawsuit 'highly experimental'
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced an environmental lawsuit Dec. 8 against Monsanto, filed in King County Superior Court, seeking damages and cleanup costs associated with the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Monsanto allegedly produced for decades.
FTC to provide $88 million in refunds for AT&T consumers in largest mobile cramming case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 8 that it will provide more than $88 million in refunds to roughly 2.7 million AT&T consumers.
SEC, Equidate settle allegations of violations of securities laws
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 6 that Equidate Inc. has agreed to settle allegations of violating federal securities laws.
New York reaches settlements over illegal 'after-sale' products with SG Hylan, Best Auto
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a settlement Dec. 8 with SG Hylan Motors Corp., a Staten Island dealership doing business as Staten Island Honda and Staten Island Nissan, and a separate settlement with Best Auto Outlet Inc., located in Floral Park.
Rhode Island settles with Compass School over alleged APRA violations
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Dec. 2 that The Compass School has agreed to settle and pay a $1,000 fine after allegations of violating the state’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA).
Florida travel company Grand Incentives settles deceptive business practices allegations
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Dec. 1 that Grand Incentives, a Sarasota-based corporation doing business as Coast to Coast Giveaways, Take Two Nights and Jose L. Martinez, has agreed to settle allegations of unfair and deceptive business practices.
EPA plan seeks to protect taxpayers from financial woes linked to hardrock mining contamination
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 2 that it will take action to protect U.S. taxpayers by proposing financial responsibility requirements for the hardrock mining industry.