Mark Iandolo News
Wells Fargo to pay $5.4 million, settles allegations of terminating employee for whistleblowing
The U.S. Department of Labor announced April 3 that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Wells Fargo Bank N.A. to compensate and reinstate a former bank manager who lost his job after reporting suspected fraudulent behavior to superiors and a bank ethics hotline.
New Jersey: Two members of major pay-to-play scheme plead guilty
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced April 12 that two former executives of Birdsall Services Group (BSG) have pleaded guilty for allegations of participating in a scheme to avoid the state’s pay-to-play law through having firm employees make $1 million in corporate political contributions illegally.
California participates in multistate settlement with Western Union
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 12 a multistate settlement with Western Union that resolves allegations that third parties were using the service to defraud consumers.
Consumer financial board issues proposal to facilitate compliance with 2015 HMDA rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced April 13 that it has issued a proposal to facilitate compliance with the 2015 updates to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) rule.
FTC supports repeal of Alaska's certificate-of-need laws
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced April 12 that it has recommended that Alaska repeal its certificate-of-need (CON) laws.
FTC settles with ringleader behind allegedly illegal nationwide telemarketing scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced April 13 a settlement with Justin Ramsey, the ringleader behind an alleged telemarketing scheme that robocalled consumers and called phone numbers listed on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry.
Massachusetts insurance agent, broker to refund consumers $130,000
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced April 11 that seniors in the state will receive more than $130,000 in refunds due to a settlement her office has reached with mortgage broker Direct Finance Corp., its employee Daniel Matthews and insurance agent James Moniz.
New York attorney general unveils legislation to combat tenant harassment
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced April 12 that his office has unveiled new legislation that would hold New York City’s most unscrupulous landlords accountable for harassing tenants.
California urges U.S. Labor Department to implement 'fiduciary' conflict of interest rule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 13 that he has urged acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Edward Hugler to immediately implement the “fiduciary” conflict of interest rule.
Massachusetts settles for $150,000 with waste transport company over alleged hazardous waste violations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced April 12 that EQ Northeast Inc. will pay $150,000 after allegations of illegally transporting hazardous waste and storing it at an unlicensed facility.
Massachusetts attorney general testifies against Eversource's proposed rate hikes
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced April 11 that she testified before the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) in support of 200,000 ratepayers in western Massachusetts.
Ultracare Las Vegas settles sex discrimination allegations with $15,000 penalty
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 22 that ultrasound technician provider Ultracare Las Vegas will pay $15,000 after allegations of sex discrimination involving sex-role stereotypes.
EEOC files suit against trucking company after employee said he couldn't work on Sabbath
CHARLESTON, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 20 against J.C. Witherspoon Jr. Inc., a South Carolina corporation, for allegations of refusing to accommodate the religious belief of one of its truck drivers.
KASCO settles discrimination allegations brought by Muslim, EEOC
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 22 that KASCO LLC, a company based in St. Louis that manufacturers and sells butcher supplies, will pay $110,000 after allegations of employment discrimination based on national origin and religion, as well as unlawful retaliation.
Massachusetts transportation department fined over stormwater runoff
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — A construction company and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (DOT) will pay $21,600 over allegations that they violated a construction permit and caused excessive stormwater discharges into local rivers.
FTC settles with three affiliate marketers for $500,000 on allegations of deceiving consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 17 that three Florida-based affiliate marketers will pay $500,000 after allegations of using illegal spam e-mail, false weight-loss claims and phony celebrity endorsements to market bogus weight-loss products.
FTC dismisses challenge against Advocate, NorthShore after companies drop proposed merger
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 22 that it has dismissed its case challenging Advocate Health Care Network’s proposed merger with NorthShore University HealthSystem after the two companies abandoned the merger.
Arkansas school district to revise polices related to HIV
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Justice Department announced March 21 that it has reached an agreement with the Pea Ridge School District (PRSD) of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, that settles allegations the district violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Sanofi-Pasteur to pay nearly $20 million after allegedly overcharging VA for drugs
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 3 that Sanofi-Pasteur will pay $19,868,194 after allegations of incorrectly calculating drug prices and overcharging the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) between 2002 and 2011 for two drug contracts.
EEOC settles class action against Texas Roadhouse for alleged age discrimination
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced March 31 that Texas Roadhouse will pay $12 million after allegations of discriminating against a class of job applicants due to their age.