Mark Iandolo News
EPA: Seattle seafood company agrees to replace ozone-depleting refrigerants
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Nov. 16 that U.S. Seafoods of Seattle has agreed to pay $135,000, implement enhanced leak detection practices and replace freezer equipment after allegations the company violated the Clean Air Act after two fish processing vessels released ozone-depleting substances into the air.
Georgia secures nearly $200,000 for consumers harmed in predatory title lending scheme
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Nov. 15 that First American Title Lending of Georgia LLC (First American) agreed to pay $196,573.69 in consumer restitution and $25,000 in penalties after allegations of violating the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act and the Georgia laws governing title pawns.
Kansas finalizes negotiation details with tobacco companies
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Nov. 6 that his office has finally resolved a years-long negotiation over a dispute with tobacco companies related to how the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) should be implemented.
More than 40 states allege additional companies involved in generic drug price fixing
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a coalition of 46 attorneys general seeks to expand their complaint to include more companies in the alleged generic drug price-fixing conspiracy.
New Jersey secures $975,000 from firm that allegedly sold unsuitable investments
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced Nov. 1 that LPL Financial LLC will pay $975,000 after allegations of selling unsuitable alternative investments.
Justice Department secures largest False Claims Act settlement from hospice company
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Oct. 30 that Chemed Corporation and various subsidiaries will pay $75 million after allegations of submitting false claims for hospice services to Medicare and thereby violating the False Claims Act.
ExxonMobil to spend $300 million to install pollution control systems at Texas, Louisiana facilities
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) announced Oct. 31 that Exxon Mobil Corp. has agreed to spend roughly $300 million to install air pollution control technology at eight petrochemical facilities in Texas and Louisiana.
Justice Department, EPA secure Clean Air Act settlement with Denver's PDC Energy
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the state of Colorado announced Oct. 31 that PDC Energy Inc. agreed to resolve allegations of violating the Clean Air Act when it failed to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions at its facilities in the Denver area.
Federal court bans medical devices company from distributing certain products
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Oct. 31 that Philips North America LLC and two company executives have been banned by a federal court from distributing certain medical devices.
Justice Department requires Entercom to divest 13 radio stations before acquiring CBS Radio
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division announced Nov. 1 that Entercom Communications Corp. must divest 13 radio stations before proceeding with a plan to acquire CBS Radio Inc.
California leads coalition urging Federal Highway Administration to enforce greenhouse gas measure
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Nov. 6 that he is leading a coalition of six attorneys general in urging the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to keep and enforce the Greenhouse Gas Performance Measure.
California, New Mexico urge Trump administration to enforce Waste Prevention Rule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Nov. 6 that they have urged the Trump administration to keep and enforce the Waste Prevention Rule.
Consumer board accuses Freedom Debt Relief of alleged deception
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Nov. 8 that it has filed a lawsuit against Freedom Debt Relief, the biggest debt settlement company in the United States, for allegations of deceiving consumers. The lawsuit also named co-CEO Andrew Housser as a defendant.
Maryland, D.C. attorneys general continue to seek lawsuit against Trump
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh announced Nov. 8 that they have filed a new brief in the ongoing lawsuit against President Donald Trump for allegations of violating the Emoluments Clauses.
EEOC appoints two career federal employees to key legal and data roles
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —The U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) announced Oct. 30 it has appointed two career federal employees to major managerial positions within the agency.
EEOC secures $45,000 for employee at California company after alleged pregnancy discrimination
FRESNO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) —The U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) announced Oct. 31 that Peninsula Packaging, a packaging production company for consumer goods with headquarters in Exeter, California, will pay $45,000 and provide other relief after allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
EEOC accuses major Georgia hospital of disability discrimination
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) —The U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Nov. 1 against Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital for allegations of discriminating against an employee who requested leave due to a medical condition.
EEOC launches online portal to sign, file discrimination charges
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) —The U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) announced Nov. 1 that it has launched an EEOC Public Portal that will provide individuals inquiring about discrimination with online access to information.
EEOC targets Chicago staffing agency after alleged sexual harassment, retaliation
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) —The U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Nov. 2 against Anchor Staffing, an agency in Chicago, for allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
SEC secures disgorgement, penalties from insider trader who worked for Apache Corp.
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Nov. 1 that petroleum engineer Christopher J. Lollar, who worked at the Apache Corporation energy company, will settle allegations of insider trading.