Mark Iandolo News
Impostor scams outpace identity theft cases, FTC finds
Imposter scam complaints surpassed identity theft as the second most common class of consumer complaints in 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in an annual summary report.
Texas firm will stop claiming pulley systems are 'Made in USA'
Block Division Inc., a Texas-based distributor of pulley block systems, agreed to stop making misleading claims that its products were made in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said.
Texas attorney general challenges federal methane gas rule
Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, filed a motion on March 21 to intervene in a lawsuit challenging a new rule by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
FTC settles advance fee complaint with debt-relief firm
A debt-relief company and its principals have been banned from misleading consumers and charging illegal advance fees under a settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
New York attorney general comments on case related to West Carthage's village justice
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Feb. 24 that Delmar House, the former village justice for the village of West Carthage Court in Jefferson County, entered a guilty plea in court after allegations of abusing his position as a judge by trading lenient treatment in exchange for sexual
favors.
FTC approves final order in Boehringer-Sanofi asset swap case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 24 that, following a public comment period, it has approved a final order settling charges that Boehringer Ingelheim’s $13.53 billion asset swap with Paris-based Sanofi would likely be anti-competitive.
Ohio settles with operator of alleged charitable door-to-door scam
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced March 7 that Darnell Robinson, the operator of an organization called “Teens With Dreams” that collects money through door-to-door solicitations by children, will settle allegations that the money collected went to him rather than charity.
FTC provides comments to Ohio Senate on proposed dental hygienist bill
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 9 that its staff has submitted a comment to the Ohio State Senate on proposed legislation that would broaden dental hygienists’ ability to work without a supervising dentist on-site.
EPA withdraws request for information from oil, gas companies
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 2 that it is withdrawing its request that owners and operators in the oil and natural gas industry provide information on equipment and emissions at existing oil and gas operations, effective immediately.
UnWrapped, president to pay $1.2 million to settle multiple wage, labor violations allegations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced March 10 that UnWrapped Inc. and President Steven Katz will pay roughly $1.2 million after allegations of numerous wage and hour law violations and retaliation against employees.
Texas, 18 other states urge EPA to end alleged federal overreach
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced March 7 that he has joined 18 other states in a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt urging an end to alleged federal overreach.
ZTE allegedly violates International Emergency Economic Powers Act, will pay $430 million
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 7 that ZTE Corporation has agreed to pay a $430,388,798 penalty to the United States for allegedly conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and send U.S.-origin items to Iran.
Danny's Downtown charged with breaching terms of EEOC agreement
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 2 that Baby O’s Restaurant, doing business as Danny’s Downtown, has agreed to settle a contempt action. The Jackson-based provider of adult entertainment services had been charged with breaching the terms of an EEOC agreement that resolves racial discrimination allegations.
C&A Tool to pay penalty of $35,000 after allegations of disability discrimination
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 6 that C&A Tool Engineering Inc., a Churubusco, Indiana-based manufacturing-tooling company, will pay $35,000 after allegations of disability discrimination.
New York settles with third-party sellers that allegedly sold prohibited toy guns
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced March 8 that his office has obtained seven settlements with online third-party sellers that allegedly used Amazon to sell prohibited toy guns to New Yorkers.
Brady Sullivan to pay EPA penalty of $90,461 after alleged RPP violations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Feb. 28 that it had finalized a settlement agreement with Brady Sullivan Millworks II LLC and Brady Sullivan Millworks IV LLC (Brady Sullivan) after an alleged failure to follow lead-safe work practices and provide proper lead paint disclosure to tenants at a Manchester, New Hampshire, residential property.
Defendants in allegedly illegal prescription buy-back scheme receive sentencing
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced March 2 that two pharmacy owners and a supervising pharmacist have been sentenced for their alleged roles in defrauding several government-funded health care programs.
Cushman & Wakefield to pay $100,000 to settle alleged ADA violation
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 3 that Commercial Real Estate Services Company Cushman & Wakefield will pay $100,000 after allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Hobby Lobby settles Virginia case involving allegations of misleading advertising
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced March 6 that Hobby Lobby, an arts and crafts store, will pay $8,000 after allegations of violating the state’s Comparison Price Advertising Act and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.
EEOC alleges CRST trucking company discriminated against veteran because of disability
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 3 against CRST Expedited Inc., a national trucking company, for allegations of failing to accommodate a job candidate who used a service dog.