Mark Iandolo News
Michigan alleges retail gas station company violated Weights and Measures Act
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced July 21 that his office has filed a lawsuit against retail gas station Great Lakes Gas & Mart LLC (Great Lakes) for allegations of repeatedly violating the state’s Weights and Measures Act.
Washington attorney general alleges Seattle company deceived nonprofit customers
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced July 20 that his office has filed a lawsuit against Blue Utopia, a company providing campaign and non-profit fundraising services located in Seattle, alleging it used new donations to cover old debts to other campaigns.
EEOC alleges Hershey failed to accommodate disabled employee
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 19 against the Hershey Company for allegedly refusing to accommodate and later firing a disabled employee.
EEOC accuses Tim Horton's franchisee of religious discrimination
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 19 against Sleneem Enterprises LLC, a franchise operator of Tim Horton's Café and Bake Shop in Romulus, Michigan, for allegations of refusing to accommodate a sincerely held religious belief.
EEOC targets Houston manufacturing company for allegations of systematic discrimination
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 20 against Champion Fiberglass Inc., a manufacturing company based in Houston, over allegations of systematic discrimination against non-Hispanic applicants.
Michigan sends cease, desist notification to fitness company that allegedly misleads gym members
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced July 19 that he has told Family Fitness, a gym in western Michigan, to cease and desist its allegedly unlawful practice of misleading gym members into believing they needed to make payments after already canceling their gym memberships and personal training contracts.
Texas obtains final judgment against company that allegedly violated consumer protection laws
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced July 17 that his office has obtained a final judgment and permanent injunction against Samara Portfolio Management LLC, Law Office of Joseph Onwuteaka PC and Joseph O. Onwuteaka, for allegations of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices—Consumer Protection Act (DTPA), Texas Debt Collection Act and the Identity Theft Protection and Enforcement Act (ITPA).
Oregon Senate advances debt collection legislation
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) — Oregon Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum announced July 5 that the Oregon Senate has advanced House Bill 2356, which concerns debt collection practices. The legislation will go before Gov. Kate Brown to be signed.
New York, Justice Department secure $4.4 million settlement with health care provider
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and acting U.S. attorney Joon H. Kim announced July 17 that Visiting Nurse Service of New York and its Managed Long-Term Care Plan, VNS Choice, will pay $4,392,150 after allegations of improperly retaining public funds.
State attorney general to appeal decision in Texas Department of Criminal Justice case
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced July 19 that he is disappointed in a federal judge’s decision to rule in favor of state inmates who sued the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDJC) over summer heat conditions at the Wallace Park Unit northwest of Houston.
Massachusetts secures more than $250,000 for workers harmed by alleged improper wage payments
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced July 13 that Healthcare Services Group Inc. (HSG) will pay more than $250,000 after allegations of failing to pay more than 1,900 workers properly.
Pennsylvania attorney general creates Consumer Financial Protection Unit
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced July 20 that he is creating a Consumer Financial Protection Unit that will work to keep state consumers protected from financial scams.
FTC issues second Federal Register notice about class action settlement notice programs study
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission announced July 12 that it is issuing a second Federal Register notice to continue its study of the effectiveness of class action settlement notice programs.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sues oil and gas developer over allegations of age discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on June 15 that it had filed a lawsuit against Atlas Resource Partners over allegations of pushing out a 52-year old production worker due to his age.
City Colleges of Chicago to pay $60,000 to settle case of alleged age discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced on June 14 that City Colleges of Chicago will pay $60,000 over allegations of age discrimination.
New Jersey AG announces $2 million settlement with brewing company over alleged trade practice violations
New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced on June 12 that Hunterdon Brewing Company LLC will pay $2 million over allegations of trade practice violations.
DOJ secures $1.1 million settlement with Egypt-based contractor that allegedly submitted false claims to USAID
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 13 that Misr Sons Development (Hassan Allam Sons, “HAS”), a construction company based in Cairo, will pay $1.1 million over allegations of submitting false claims in connection with U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts.
Federal court permanently bars defendants involved in alleged adulterated drug sales scheme
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on June 15 that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Stratus Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Miami; Sonar Products Inc. of Carlstadt, N.J.; and individuals Alberto Hoyo and Juan Carlos Billoch.
Federal Trade Commission bureau directors weigh in on North Carolina legislation on real estate appraisers
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced on July 6 that the directors of the Federal Trade Commission’s Office of Policy Planning, Bureau of Competition and Bureau of Economics have issued a comment on the competitive impact of proposed legislation that would affect compensation for real estate appraisers in North Carolina.
DOJ secures settlement from Michigan credit union for allegedly repossessing vehicles of servicemembers
The U.S. Department of Justice announced on July 6 that COPOCO Community Credit Union in Bay City, Mich. will settle allegations of illegally repossessing four servicemembers’ vehicles.