Mark Iandolo News
Jay Clayton sworn in as 32nd SEC chairman
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced May 4 that Jay Clayton has been sworn into office as the 32nd chairman of the SEC by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.
EEOC settles for $100,000 with Florida insurance broker after alleged pregnancy discrimination
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced May 3 that Brown & Brown, an insurance brokerage firm in Daytona Beach, Florida, will pay $100,000 after allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
FTC settles false claims case against regarding home opiate detox
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced May 4 that Catlin Enterprises Inc., a company that marketed itself as “the leader in home opiate detox since 2009,” and CEO George Catlin have settled FTC charges that the withdrawal treatment claims for their “withdrawal ease” and “recovery ease” products were false or unsupported by scientific evidence.
Attorney general's case against Alabama State University is closed
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Acting Alabama Attorney General Chris McCool announced May 2 that the case of alleged wrongdoing at Alabama State University (ASU) has been closed.
U.S. settles with merchandising company that allegedly evaded anti-dumping duties on China imports
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 1 that Importer Merchandising Concepts LP (IMC) and two individuals, Glen Michaels and Alan Lewis, will pay $275,000 to resolve allegations the company improperly evaded customs duties on imports of wooden bedroom furniture from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
EEOC targets S.C. Applebee's after alleged harassment by manager
FLORENCE, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 4 against Green Apple LLC, doing business as Applebee’s Grill and Bar, for allegedly subjecting two female employees to a sexually hostile work environment.
U.S. district court enters consent decree of permanent injunction against Syfrett Feed
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 4 that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Syfrett Feed Company Inc. of Okeechobee, Florida, its owner and President Charles B. Syfrett I, its Vice President Melissa S. Montes De Oca and its Operations Manager Charles B. Syfrett II.
Justice Department files complaint in UnitedHealth Group lawsuit
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 2 that it has intervened and filed a complaint in a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UHG).
SEC settles for $4 million with New Jersey capital management firm for alleged Ponzi scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced May 4 that Verto Capital Management and CEO William Schantz III will pay roughly $4 million after allegations of conducting a Ponzi scheme.
New York settles for $1.25 million with company that allegedly violated environmental laws
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 4 that Momentive Performance Materials Silicones LLC (MPM) will pay $1.25 million to resolve allegations of violating state and federal environmental laws.
EEOC accuses Minnesota design company of disability discrimination
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 3 against Impressions Incorporated, a St. Paul-based design, printing and packaging company, for allegations of requiring unlawful medical exams and then firing an employee because of his disability.
Emerson to divest Pentair subsidiary to complete acquisition
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced April 28 that Industrial valve manufacturer Emerson Electric Co. has agreed to sell the switchbox business of Pentair plc to Crane Co. of Stamford, Connecticut, after FTC allegations that its proposed $3.15 billion acquisition of Pentair would violate federal antitrust law.
New York targets company alleging to be prisoner assistance center
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 2 that he has filed a lawsuit against NYSPAC Inc., operating as the NYS Prisoner Assistance Center or NY Parole Aids, and its owner, Mario Vredenburg, also known as Antonia Barrone.
New York attorney general targets alleged dumping of waste in Brentwood park
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 4 that he has filed a federal lawsuit in an attempt to recover damages from companies that allegedly dumped contaminated construction waste in Brentwood on Long Island.
Ohio attorney general rejects petition to amend congressional redistricting process
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced May 4 that he has rejected a petition for a proposed Ohio constitutional amendment that would change Ohio's congressional redistricting process.
Texas, multistate coalition dismiss lawsuit against Stream Protection Rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced May 2 that his office has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Texas and 12 other states against the Stream Protection Rule enacted in the closing days of the Obama administration.
New York settles with companies that allegedly harassed rent-regulated tenants
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 4 that he has reached a settlement with several companies controlled by Sassan “Sami” Mahfar and Sina Mahfar.
Ohio alcohol, drug outpatient provider settles for $1.4 million in Medicaid fraud case
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced April 28 that the Morrow Group LLC, a Dayton-area certified alcohol and drug outpatient center, and owner Clifford Morrow have been ordered to pay $1.4 million after allegations of billing for services that were never provided.
EPA settles with owner of Hidden Lane Superfund Site in Virginia
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 3 that Persimmon Lane LLC has settled with the agency and the commonwealth of Virginia. The company will help fund the cleanup of the Hidden Lane Superfund site, a 150-acre property in Sterling, Loudon County, Virginia.
EPA settles with three companies that allegedly violated California's Truck and Bus rule
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 4 that it has reached settlements totaling more than $201,000 with three companies that had allegedly violated California’s Truck and Bus Regulation.