Mark Iandolo News
Ohio, West Virginia lead coalition opposing federal 'Stream Protection Rule'
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, along with West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, announced Jan. 19 that a group of 13 states has challenged the federal government’s “Stream Protection Rule.”
FTC issues comments opposing proposed merger of Mountain States, Wellmont Health
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 13 that its staff has submitted a supplemental comment and analysis to the Virginia Department of Health. In the comments, the staff voices opposition to issuing a letter authorizing a cooperative agreement to Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System.
Gonnella Baking of Chicago settles EEOC charges of racial harassment, pays $30,000 penalty
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Jan. 10 that Gonnella Baking Co. of Chicago will pay $30,000 to resolve allegations of racial harassment at the company’s Aurora, Ilinois, facility.
Diallo's of Houston to pay $139,366 after EEOC alleges disability discrimination
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Jan. 9 that Diallo’s of Houston, a nightclub and party venue in the Houston area, will pay $139,366 after allegations of disability discrimination.
CFPB orders medical debt relief collection law firms to pay $577,135 to consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Jan. 9 that it is ordering Works and Lentz Inc., Works and Lentz of Tulsa Inc., and their president, Harry A. Lentz Jr., to provide $577,135 in relief to consumers, correct their business practices and pay a $78,800 penalty for allegations of falsifying documents sent to consumers in the debt collection process.
Ohio AG targets two telemarketing groups for allegedly misleading consumers
FREMONT, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit Jan. 6 against two telemarketing groups for allegedly misleading consumers – Buckeye Impact Group LLC and Premier Design Group LLC.
Alleged mortgage relief scheme operator agrees to FTC ban
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 11 that Damian Kutzner, who allegedly helped operate a mortgage relief scheme that duped consumers and stole millions, has agreed to a court order banning him from the debt relief business.
L3 Technologies agrees to SEC cease-and-desist, to pay $1.6 million in penalties
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Jan. 11 that L3 Technologies Inc., a contractor for U.S. and various foreign government agencies, will pay $1.6 million after allegations of failing to maintain proper books and records.
FTC seeks to bar businesses from selling allegedly fake payday loan debt portfolios
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 9 that it had charged Joel Jerome Tucker, SQ Capital LLC, JT Holdings Inc. and HPD LLC with selling portfolios of fake payday loan debts.
FTC OKs final order in CentraCare-SCMG acquisition following public comment
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the approval Jan. 9 of a final order settling charges that CentraCare’s acquisition of St. Cloud Medical Group, also known as SCMG, would be anti-competitive. The approval comes following a public comment period.
Labor Department targets Vermont ESOP fiduciaries for allegedly violating ERISA
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a lawsuit Jan. 5 against First Bankers Trust Services Inc. and Sonnax Industries Inc. and its owners for alleged violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
Autumn Health Care ordered to pay more than $167,000 after allegedly falsifying documents
ZANESVILLE, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Jan. 9 that Autumn Health Care of Zanesville Inc. will repay thousands of dollars it had obtained through allegedly fraudulent measures.
Baxter Healthcare to pay $18M in penalties, forfeiture
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice announced Jan. 12 that Baxter Healthcare Corporation (Baxter) will pay $18.158 million after allegations it failed to follow current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) while manufacturing sterile drug products in North Carolina.
FTC takes action against D-Link for its allegedly insecure wireless routers and internet cameras
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a complaint Jan. 5 against D-Link Corp., a Taiwan-based computer networking equipment manufacturer with a U.S. subsidiary.
EPA reaches agreement with Smith Cove for cleanup of Callahan Mine Superfund Site
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Jan. 6 that a settlement has been reached to facilitate cleanup of the Callahan Mine Superfund Site in Brooksville, Maine.
Pa. AG suing construction company; Complaints include unfinished work on barn
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) – Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer announced a civil lawsuit Dec. 20 against Lloyd A. Davis and his company, LD Construction LLC, for allegations of engaging in unfair and deceptive business practices.
Maine AG files suit over Volkswagen's alleged national fraud scheme
AUGUSTA, Maine (Legal Newsline) – Maine Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced a lawsuit Jan. 6 against Volkswagen AG and its affiliates Audi AG and Porsche AG, as well as their American subsidiaries, for selling diesel automobiles with defeat devices designed to circumvent emissions controls.
Kansas AG joins bipartisan coalition regarding class action settlement with United Healthcare
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Dec. 30 that he has joined a bipartisan coalition of 14 state attorneys general in filing a brief in federal court asking for the court to reject a proposed class action settlement with United Healthcare.
DOJ charges former VP of Poseidon Concepts Corp. with securities fraud
BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice announced Jan. 6 that Joseph A. Kostelecky has been charged with operating a $100 million securities fraud
scheme while acting as the vice president of Poseidon Concepts Corp.
FTC, Schneiderman target marketers of Prevagen
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Jan. 9 that they have charged the marketers of dietary supplement Prevagen with making false and unsubstantiated claims about the product’s ability to improve memory.