Mark Iandolo News
New York joins coalition urging Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to examine utility rates
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 10 that he is urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to be proactive in ensuring public utility companies do not harm consumers while receiving a major windfall. Schneiderman joins other attorneys general, as well as state agencies and consumer advocates, as part of a bipartisan coalition to defend consumers in this issue.
New York attorney general probes propane companies' possible misconduct
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 9 that his office will examine potential misconduct by propane suppliers operating across the state.
FTC OKs order allowing ACT to acquire Jet-Pep
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 9 that, following a public comment period, that the agency has approved a final order settling antitrust law violation allegations against Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT), which has been attempting to acquire competitor Jet-Pep Inc.
Georgia secures $8.8 million from allegedly abusive debt collection practice
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Jan. 9 that Williamson and McKevie LLC, a debt collection business, has agreed to pay $8.8 million in penalties after allegations of violating the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act.
FTC, Nevada charge MyEx.com operators with violating FTC Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 9 that, in association with the state of Nevada, the agency has charged a group of defendants operating an adult content website with federal and state law violations.
California leads coalition in defending the Clean Power Plan from potential dismantling
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Jan. 9 that he is leading a coalition of 19 states and municipalities in defending the Clean Power Plan (CPP). The coalition drafted a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about proposed rulemaking to dismantle the CPP.
California attorney general: BP overcharged state, to pay $102 million in penalties
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Jan. 11 that BP Energy Company and affiliates (BP) will pay $102 million to resolve allegations of intentionally overcharging the state for natural gas purchased between March 2003 and August 2012.
Arizona attorney general targets 'toner pirates'
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced an Arizona consumer fraud lawsuit Jan. 5 against NT Sourcing LLC, Premiere Office Supplies LLC, and their owner James R. Deremiah, for allegedly tricking consumers into paying for office supplies.
FTC settles with business coaching scheme that bilked consumers out of millions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 9 that it has reached a settlement with the operators of telemarketing scheme that allegedly bilked consumers out of millions of dollars.
New York Supreme Court backs state's case against home heating company
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 17 that a ruling has been made by the New York Supreme Court in Schneiderman’s favor in the case against Champion Fuel and Service Corp. (Champion) and owner David DeSilva Sr.
California urges Congress to enact cannabis industry banking legislation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Jan. 16 that he has joined a bipartisan coalition of 18 attorneys general to urge Congress to advance cannabis industry banking legislation.
New York attorney general alleges Trump's EPA ignores smog rules
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 17 that New York has joined with Connecticut to sue the Trump administration over allegations of violating the Clean Air Act’s ground-level ozone pollution rules.
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Arizona attorney general lauds new 'regulatory sandbox' legislation
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Jan. 17 that he has worked with State Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-LD 17, Chandler) to introduce regulatory reduction legislation that should unburden financial product and service companies that use new technology.
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Arizona attorney general urges California court to reject 'imbalanced' softball bats settlement
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Jan. 16 that he is urging a California federal court to reject what he says is an imbalanced class action softball bats settlement.
Pep Boys to pay $80,000, change retail pricing practices in New Jersey
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Jan. 12 that auto parts retailer Pep Boys will pay $80,000 and change its business practices after allegations of price violations and deceptive business practices.
Washington state joins coalition fighting new FCC rules on net neutrality
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Jan. 16 that he is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to withdraw its new net neutrality rules.
Justice Department: Illegal Orlando health care kickback scheme defrauded TRICARE
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 12 that a group of Orlando-area health care industry professionals have been convicted for their alleged role in a fraudulent kickback scheme.
Virginia home furnishings company to pay $10.5 million after alleged illegal importing from China
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 21 that Basset Mirror Company, a home furnishings business based in Virginia, will pay $10.5 million after allegations of making false statements on customs duties declarations in violation of the False Claims Act.
Justice Department backs plaintiffs in Montana case involving alleged religious discrimination
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 18 that it supports the parents in a Montana Supreme Court case involving alleged religious discrimination by the state of Montana.
HSBC Holdings agrees to $100 million settlement after allegedly defrauding 2 major banks
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 18 that HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC), a global financial services company with headquarters in the United Kingdom, will pay $63.1 million in penalties and $38.4 million in disgorgement and restitution to resolve allegations of defrauding bank clients.