Mark Iandolo News
Questcor Pharmaceuticals settles with FTC, four states after monopoly allegations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a joint settlement Jan. 18 with four other attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission with Mallinckrodt PLC and its U.S. subsidiary, formerly known as Questcor Pharmaceuticals (Questcor), a drug manufacturer.
Mississippi alleges Google illegally obtains personal information of students
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) — Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced a lawsuit Jan. 17 against Google Inc., over allegations of collecting personal information and a search history of public school students in violation of the state’s Consumer Protection Act.
Shire Pharmaceuticals to pay $350 million penalty, resolving kickback allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice announced Jan. 11 that Shire Pharmaceuticals will pay $350 million after allegedly committing federal and state False Claims Act violations by employing kickbacks to induce physicians to use their product.
Allergen settles SEC allegations regarding public disclosures, to pay $15 million penalty
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Jan. 17 that Allergan Inc. will pay $15 million in penalties after allegedly violating securities law when failing to make proper disclosures after a hostile takeover bid.
CashCall to repay $1.8 million, forgive $1 million in loans after deal with D.C.
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Karl A. Racine, the attorney general for the District of Columbia, announced Jan. 11 that lender CashCall has agreed to repay more than $1.8 million in debt payments made by district consumers. The company will also forgive more than $1 million in remaining loan debt.
U.S. settles with Pepco, resolving alleged violations of Clean Water Act permit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement Jan. 13 with the Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) that resolves alleged violations of Pepco’s Clean Water Act permit at its service center in the Anacostia section of Washington, D.C.
CGMI to return $22.5 million to consumers after fee overcharge allegations in New York
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 12 that Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (CGMI), a subsidiary of Citigroup, will return more than $22.5 million in fees to more than 47,000 consumers after a four-year long case. The company admitted to the findings of Schneiderman’s office.
Washington state attorney general, senator seek one-year lobbying prohibition
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Jan. 12 that, along with state Sen. Reuven Carlyle, he has reintroduced the government ethics proposal that would establish a one-year lobbying prohibition for former high-ranking state officials.
Nearly 4,500 ACI students will receive loan forgiveness after deceptive practices allegations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Jan. 13 that the U.S. Department of Education will forgive loans for nearly 4,500 student who were allegedly victimized by the now-defunct American Career Institute (ACI) in Massachusetts.
CITGO settles New Jersey-based case of alleged fraud with $456,610 penalty
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Jan. 12 that Texas-based CITGO Petroleum (CITGO) will pay $456,610 after allegations of violating the Motor Fuels Act, the Consumer Fraud Act and the Advertising Regulations.
Connecticut home health care provider pays $5.25 million to settle false claim allegations
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced Jan. 12 that Family Care Visiting Nurse and Home Care Agency LLC (FCVNA) and owners David and Rita Krett have agreed to a $5.25 million settlement after allegations of submitting false claims to the state’s Medicaid program.
D.C. attorney general reintroduces legislation targeting pay-to-play politics
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Karl A. Racine, attorney general for the District of Columbia, announced Jan. 9 that his office has reintroduced legislation targeting pay-to-play politics in Washington, D.C.
California gets $150 million of Moody's $863 million settlement related to alleged misconduct
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — California’s acting attorney general, Kathleen A. Kenealy, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and the attorneys general from 20 other states and the District of Columbia, announced Jan. 13 that Moody’s Corporation (Moody’s) will pay $863.8 million after allegations related to the company’s misconduct in inflating ratings of residential mortgage-backed securities.
Pennsylvania settles with Vivint after company allegedly violated multiple state laws
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer announced Jan. 11 that Vivint Inc., more commonly known as APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc., has agreed to settle allegations of violating the commonwealth’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
Pennsylvania reaches agreement for fees, expenses related to BuckleySander e-mail audit
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer announced Jan. 11 that his office has reached an agreement with the law firm BuckleySander LLP that resolves the final amount owed to the firm for work reviewing emails captured on Office of Attorney General (OAG) servers.
Nevada files brief on behalf of 21 states opposing Labor Department overtime rule appeal
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) — Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced Jan. 17 that he will oppose the Department of Labor’s appeal after its new overtime rule received a preliminary injunction.
Florida reaches settlement with operators of alleged online lending scheme
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Jan. 12 that her office has coordinated with Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) Commissioner Drew Breakspear on settlements with the operators of an alleged online lending scheme.
Kansas sues company that allegedly trashed, instead of shredding, personal documents
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced a lawsuit Jan. 12 against Searchtec Inc., alleging the company repeatedly disposed of documents containing personal information of consumers by dumping them in trash receptacles.
Justice Department accuses Mitchell Rales of HSR Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice announced a civil antitrust lawsuit Jan. 17, filed at the request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), against Mitchell Rales for alleged violations of Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act of 1976.
SEC orders 10 investment advisory firms to pay fines after allegedly violating pay-to-play rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Jan. 17 that 10 investment advisory firms will pay between $35,000 and $100,000 each in penalties after allegations of violating the SEC’s investment adviser pay-to-play rule.