Mark Iandolo News
FTC accuses Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board of limiting competition; LREAB says lawsuit is 'plain wrong'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced May 31 it has filed a complaint against the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board, citing allegations the group unreasonably restrains price competition for appraisal services in its state.
Ohio targets 5 opioid manufacturers, alleging fraudulent marketing
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced a lawsuit May 31 against five prescription opioid manufacturers for allegations of fraudulent marketing about the risks of opioids.
Justice Department settles with health care company, secures nearly $31.7 million
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 30 that Freedom Health Inc. and related corporate entities will pay $31,695,593 after allegations of violating the False Claims Act in connection with their Medicare Advantage plans.
Ohio attorney general targets contractor
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced May 22 that his office has taken action to protect consumers, filing a complaint against George N. Krinos, who does business as Doors, Kitchens, and More Construction Co., for allegedly failing to deliver promised home improvement services to consumers.
Washington state settles with 2 restaurants that allegedly mislabeled fish in sushi products
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced May 25 that his office has settled with two state restaurants. The restaurants will cease the alleged mislabeling of fish in their sushi products.
Attorney general certifies petition seeking to change Ohio's congressional redistricting
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced May 22 that he has certified the petition that seeks to amend the Ohio Constitution and change the congressional redistricting process in the state.
Labor Department joins Pension Benefit Guaranty to recover $1.5 million for 2 participants
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced May 25 that the partnership between its Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has recovered close to $1.5 million for participants in two terminated Chicago-based pension plans.
Citigroup subsidiary to pay $97.44 million after allegations of violating Bank Secrecy Act
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 22 that Banamex USA (BUSA), a Los Angeles-based financial institution and a subsidiary of Citigroup Inc., will forfeit $97.44 million and enter into a non-prosecution agreement (NPA) after allegations that BUSA committed Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) violations.
Federal court halts alleged phone debt relief operation at request of FTC
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced May 23 that a federal court has temporarily halted an alleged phony debt relief operation that duped financially strapped consumers out of tens of millions of dollars. The purported scheme focused much of its efforts on scamming the elderly and the disabled.
EEOC targets educational technology company, alleges retaliation against employee
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 24 against educational technology company IXL Learning Inc., alleging retaliation against an employee for accusing the company of discriminatory practices on Glassdoor.com.
Massachusetts leads 32 attorneys general in opposing administration plan to cut LSC funds
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced May 22 that she is leading a group of 32 attorneys general, along with Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, in opposing the Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate federal funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC).
Arizona joins multistate, $18.5 million settlement with the Target
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced May 23 that Arizona has joined a multistate, $18.5 million settlement with the Target Corporation after allegations the retail company incurred a massive data breach in 2013.
Maryland alleges assisted living facility violated False Health Claims Act
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced May 22 that his office has taken action against Kris-Leigh Catered Living of Severna Park, LLC and its owners (“Kris-Leigh”) for allegations of violating the Maryland False Health Claims Act.
ConocoPhillips to pay $39 million to settle environmental damage allegations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced May 25 that the ConocoPhillips Company will pay $39 million after allegations of environmental damage and injury to natural resources caused by a gasoline additive known as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).
EPA, Justice Department target Fiat Chrysler for alleged circumventing of Clean Air Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 23 the filing of a civil complaint in federal court in Detroit, against FCA US LLC, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., V.M. Motori S.p.A., and V.M. North America Inc. (collectively, “FCA”).
EPA places 90-day administrative hold on guidelines for landfills
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 23 a 90-day administrative stay for the August 2016 New Source Performance Standards and Emissions Guidelines for municipal solid waste landfills.
District of Columbia joins 42 states in $33 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced May 24 that the district and 42 states will receive $33 million after a settlement with Johnson & Johnson and Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. related to the sale of allegedly adulterated versions of common over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Court rules Wells Fargo liable 20 percent penalty after allegedly abusive tax shelter
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 25 that a federal court in Minneapolis ruled Wells Fargo is liable for a 20 percent negligence penalty for the $350 million of foreign tax credits it claimed while participating in an alleged abusive tax shelter called the Advantaged Repackaged Securities (STARS).
New York secures settlement with company that sells Bluetooth-enabled doors, padlocks
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 22 that Safetech Products LLC and owner Ryan Hyde have agreed to settle allegations of selling insecure wireless door and padlocks.
EPA settles with Hawaii farm that allegedly misused pesticides, violated safety regulations
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 25 that Wonder Farm Inc. has agreed to settle allegations of misusing pesticides and violating worker safety regulations at its basil farm in Waianae, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu, by paying a $26,700 penalty.