Mark Iandolo News
Washington AG sides with agricultural workers in case against Dovex Fruit
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Aug. 1 that his office has filed a “friend of the court” brief supporting agricultural workers in Carranza and Martinez v. Dovex Fruit Company.
Massachusetts AG joins coalition opposing cuts to low-income energy assistance programs
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced July 31 that she has joined a coalition of 35 attorneys general and state consumer advocate agencies in drafting a letter to Congress about low-income energy assistance programs.
Justice Department intervenes in complaint against Los Angeles, alleging fraudulent use of HUD funds
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Aug. 1 that it has filed a complaint to intervene against the city of Los Angeles and the CRA/LA (formerly the Community Redevelopment Agency of the city of Los Angeles) alleging the fraudulent securing of millions of dollars in housing grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
U.S. secures settlement with Harcros to audit 28 facilities for potential Clean Air Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 31 that Harcros Chemicals Inc. has agreed to settle allegations of violating provisions of the Clean Air Act.
Barclays to pay $32 million to Massachusetts, nonprofits after alleged interest rate scandal
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Aug. 2 that Barclays Bank PLC and Barclays Capital Inc. (Barclays) will pay $32 million after allegations of manipulated interest rates.
Consumer board orders JPMorgan to pay $4.6 million
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced Aug. 2 that it has taken action against JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, ordering it to pay $4.6 million for alleged failures related to information it provides for checking account screening reports.
Kansas joins coalition in backing Congress' use of CRA to overturn agency regulations
TOPEKA (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced July 31 he has joined the attorneys general of 14 states in supporting a federal law that allows Congress to review and overturn agency regulations.
New York leads coalition alleging EPA is stalling smog designation plan
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Aug. 1 that he is leading a coalition of 16 state attorneys general in a lawsuit against the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Administrator Scott Pruitt.
Washington state attorney general accuses political action committee of violations
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Aug. 1 that his office filed a complaint in Thurston County Superior Court against the Washington & Northern Idaho Laborers Political Action Committee (the PAC) for campaign finance violation allegations.
Arizona announces $240,000 judgment against mortgage relief company after alleged scam
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced July 26 that his office has obtained a $241,401 judgment against Mortgage Relief Solutions Inc. (MRS) and owner Eric David Brown over allegations of consumer fraud.
Court enters permanent injunction against Crown Labs after alleged distribution of misbranded drugs
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 27 that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Crown Laboratories Inc. and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Bedard to stop the alleged distribution of unapproved and misbranded drugs.
Two major pharmaceuticals agree to FTC divestiture settlement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced July 20 that Baxter International Inc. and Claris Lifesciences Limited will divest two types of pharmaceutical products to settle anti-competitive allegations related to Baxter’s proposed $625 million acquisition of Claris’ injectable drugs business.
Justice Department accuses two Louisiana companies of Immigration and Nationality Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 26 it has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana-based companies Technical Marine Maintenance Texas LLC, which provides contract shipyard labor, and Gulf Coast Workforce LLC, a related company, for allegedly violating the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Massachusetts joins coalition challenging EPA delay
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced July 25 that she has joined a coalition of 11 attorneys general in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to challenge the agency’s allegedly unlawful delay of a rule providing vital protections to communities living near facilities housing dangerous chemicals.
Massachusetts accuses oil tank removal company of hazardous waste law violations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced a lawsuit July 25 against Commonwealth Tank Inc. (CommTank) and President Kevin Hoag for allegations of illegally generating and storing hazardous waste and discharging pollutants into an unpermitted well at its facility.
Oklahoma sues four major opioid manufacturers, alleges responsibility for public health crisis
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) — Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced June 30 that his office has filed a lawsuit against the four leading manufacturers of opioid pain medication in the United States, for allegations of deceptive marketing that helped advance the country’s opioid epidemic.
Arizona settles with company that allegedly targeted local businesses in fraud scheme
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced July 27 that Mandatory Poster Agency Inc. and its owners will pay $175,000 in restitution to Arizona businesses after allegations it sent government “Annual Minutes" lookalike mailers.
Mass. AG: Law firm clogged courts with more than 200K lawsuits
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced July 27 that Lustig, Glaser & Wilson PC and its two principals, Ronald E. Lustig and Kenneth C. Wilson, will pay $1 million in restitution after allegations of widespread consumer abuses that impacted thousands of consumers in the state.
Puerto Rico steakhouse agrees to EEOC settlement regarding age discrimination allegations
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 24 that Meat Market LLC, a steakhouse in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will pay a monetary amount to unsuccessful job applicants and better maintain a workplace free from discrimination after allegations of age discrimination.
MagnaCare to return $14.5 million to ERISA-covered health plans after alleged violations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced July 25 that MagnaCare LLC will return at least $14.5 million to health benefit plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) after allegations of ERISA violations.