Mark Iandolo News
Abbot Laboratories, St. Jude to divest certain businesses before completing proposed merger
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 27 that Abbot Laboratories will divest two medical device businesses after allegations its proposed $25 billion acquisition of St. Jude Medical Inc. will likely be anti-competitive.
U.S. agencies settle for $40 million with 100 parties in Petersen/Puritan Superfund site case
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Protection (RIDEM) announced Dec. 23 they had reached a $40 million settlement with defendants to ensure cleanup of “Operable Unit Two” of the Peterson/Puritan Inc. Superfund site in Cumberland and Lincoln, Rhode Island.
General Cable pays $20 million in settlement, settles allegations of FCPA violations
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 29 that General Cable Corporation will pay $20 million after allegations it made improper payments to government officials in Angola, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia and Thailand to gain business. Purported conduct of this nature violates the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Boehringer Ingelheim OKs FTC consent order, will divest certain products before Sanofi deal
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 28 that Boehringer Ingelheim has agreed to divest five types of animal health products in the United States before finalizing its proposed asset swap with Sanofi of Paris. The FTC had alleged the swap likely would be anti-competitive.
U.S. reaches final resolutions with banks in Swiss Bank Program
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 29 that it had reached final resolutions with banks that have met the requirements of the Swiss Bank Program.
U.S. targets Barclays for alleged scam that helped ignite 2008 financial crisis
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 22 it has filed a civil complaint against Barclays Bank PLC and many of its affiliates. The department alleges Barclays engaged in a fraudulent scheme to sell residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS).
Call business to pay $10 million in consumer redress for alleged scam
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 22 that Inbound Call Experts, doing business as Advanced Tech Support, along with other defendants, will pay $10 million for alleged customer deception.
Wash. AG targets local asbestos abatement business
WENATCHEE, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Dec. 29 that his office has filed charges against Timothy Powell and his business A1 Asbestos LLC, for allegations of providing false asbestos waste shipment records to an Okanogan County landfill.
USFS settles with DOJ, will pay $48 million to resolve False Claims Act violation allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 28 that United Shore Financial Services LLC (USFS) agreed to a $48 million settlement after allegations it violated the False Claims Act.
Consumer board alleges Virginia pawnbrokers deceived consumers about loans
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced lawsuits Dec. 19 against four Virginia pawnbrokers that allegedly deceived consumers about the cost of loans.
CFPB unveils Consumer Credit Trends to provide consumers with historical lending trends
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Dec. 15 the unveiling of Consumer Credit Trends, a digital tool that will help consumers monitor developments in lending and forecast potential risks.
Alabama attorney general, colleagues back Sessions for U.S. attorney general
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange joined 24 other state attorneys general Dec. 16 in supporting Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala) as U.S. attorney general. The attorneys general urged the Senate Judiciary Committee’s leadership to confirm the nomination.
CFPB alleges Military Credit Services in Virginia violated federal laws
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced a lawsuit Dec. 20 against Military Credit Services LLC (MCS) for allegedly making loans with improper disclosures.
EPA, Connecticut town agree to storm water system upgrade
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 19 that the city of West Haven, Connecticut, has agreed to make changes to its storm water system, ensuring the protection of local waterways.
EPA to conduct emergency response cleanup at closed Indianapolis facility
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 15 it had started an emergency response action to clean up the vacant Williamson Polishing & Plating building in the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood of Indianapolis.
Arkansas attorney general targets multiple automotive retailers for alleged deception
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a consumer protection lawsuit Dec. 17 against multiple automotive retailers and their owners and officers for allegations of violating the state’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Mosquito Shield, Massachusetts franchisees to change advertising practices
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Dec. 19 that Mosquito Shield LLC has agreed to change its advertising practices and pay penalties after allegations of misrepresenting the potentially harmful effect of its products.
CFPB report on college-bank deals: Many schools more focused on bottom line, not students
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Dec. 14 a report detailing that costly fees and risky features often are attached to college-sponsored accounts.
California secures additional $66 million from Volkswagen after landmark environmental case
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced Dec. 20 an additional $66 million settlement with Volkswagen.
Massachusetts fines Olympia General Construction $27,000 for alleged wage issues
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Dec. 19 that Olympia General Construction Corp. and its president, Marcelo Cardoso Queiroz, have been cited $27,611 for allegedly failing to pay overtime wages to employees.