Mark Iandolo News
CFPB proposes penalty of $150,000 against Prime Marketing Holdings
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Aug. 30 that it has filed a proposed final judgment in federal court that seeks to resolve a credit repair practices lawsuit against Prime Marketing Holdings LLC.
New York attorney general secures $800,000 from Energy Plus in settlement
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Aug. 30 that Energy Plus Holdings LLC and Energy Plus Natural Gas LLC (collectively, “Energy Plus”) will pay $800,000 after allegations of deceiving consumers.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sets new thresholds under Truth in Lending Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Aug. 30 that it has made its annual adjustments to the dollar amounts of various thresholds under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) regulations, based on the annual percentage change in the Consumer Price Index.
California wins $3.2 million judgment against Chinese apparel company
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced a default judgment Aug. 22 against Ningbo Beyond, an apparel manufacturing company based in China that operates in California.
Georgia targets automobile dealer that allegedly deceived customers about vehicle titles
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Aug. 18 that his office has filed a lawsuit against the Momentum Group Inc., doing business as Gwinnett Mitsubishi and Gwinnett Suzuki, for allegations of deceptive advertising and sales practices.
FTC reaches agreement with National Association of Animal Breeders on dairy bull fertilization
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 18 that the National Association of Animal Breeders Inc. (NAAB) has agreed to not adopt rules that would have allegedly stifled competition among its members unreasonably.
EEOC accuses Wisconsin residential care provider of pregnancy discrimination
MILWAUKEE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Aug. 22 against Silverado Menomonee Falls LLC, doing business as Silverado Oak Village, for allegations of firing an employee rather than providing accommodations for her pregnancy-related medical conditions.
Injunction entered against World Patent Marketing
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 24 that a federal court has granted its requested for a preliminary injunction against World Patent Marketing.
Massachusetts dentist to return $500,000 to state Medicaid program after alleged false billing
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Aug. 21 that Dr. Annie Watson and her dental practice, Gentle Smiles LLC, will return $500,000 to the state’s Medicaid program (MassHealth) after allegations of improperly billing the program for some of its services.
District of Columbia obtains judgment against debt relief company that allegedly duped consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Aug. 24 that his office has obtained a judgment against Student Aid Center Inc. and the company’s owners, Ramiro Fernandez-Moris and Damien Alvarez, for allegations of unlawfully marketing student debt relief services to district consumers.
American Express subsidiaries pay total of $96 million in CFPB's discrimination case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Aug. 23 that action against two American Express banking subsidiaries accused of discriminating against consumers in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories has resulted in $96 million in relief.
Consumer board amends 2015 updates to Home Mortgage Disclosure Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Aug. 24 that it has issued a rule amending the 2015 updates to the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) rule.
FTC settles with final three defendants in alleged deceptive marketing of dietary supplements
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 23 that the final three defendants in a case of allegedly deceptive marketing of dietary supplements have agreed to settle charges the agency filed in February.
AGs say electric grid study shows need for clean energy
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Aug. 25 that she has joined a coalition of attorneys general in issuing a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) electric grid study.
EPA reaches settlement with Ricoh Electronics over alleged substance reporting failures
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Aug. 24 that Ricoh Electronics Inc. has agreed to settle allegations of inaccurate reporting on chemical substances by paying a $245,900 penalty and changing its business practices.
New York secures $945,000 from property group for alleged anti-competitive business practices
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Aug. 21 that Simon Property Group will pay $945,000 to the state to settle allegations of using anti-competitive tactics to thwart the development of competing outlet centers in New York City.
EPA secures cesspool shutdown agreement with Hawaii company
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Aug. 24 that the owner of two Big Island hardware stores and a commercial property has agreed to close four large-capacity cesspools (LCCs) at properties in Naalehu, Kamuela and Hilo, Hawaii.
EEOC targets Atlanta cemetery over allegations of wrongfully firing employee
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a lawsuit Aug. 22 against Lincoln Cemetery Inc., an internment arrangement corporation in Atlanta, over allegations of firing an employee who participated in an EEOC case.
Washington state proposes updates to the Public Records Act Model Rules
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Aug 23 that he has filed a proposed update to the Public Records Act (PRA) Model Rules.
Labor Department seeks to fill vacancies on its pension benefits advisory council
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced Aug. 18 that its Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is soliciting nominations to fill five three-year vacancies on the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council. The DOL noted that Aug. 31 is the deadline for nominations.