Mark Iandolo News
Justice Department, EPA secure $20 million from companies involved with Bunker Hill Mine
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 12 that the owner of the Bunker Hill Mine, Placer Mining Company Inc. (Placer Mining), has agreed to settle allegations relating to its cleanup liability in Idaho’s northern panhandle.
Connecticut General Assembly urged to adopt ban on credit agencies charging credit freeze fees
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced March 15 that he has submitted testimony to the General Assembly’s Banks Committee in support of legislation that would ban the three major credit rating agencies in the U.S. from charging fees to place or remove credit security freezes.
U.S. secures $2 million from nuclear material transporter for alleged Russian bribe
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice aannounced March 13 that Transport Logistics International Inc. (TLI), a provider of transportation services for nuclear materials, will pay $2 million after allegations of bribing a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation.
EEOC accuses California charter school of pay discrimination
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit March 22 against The Guidance Charter School, a charter school and non-profit in Palmdale, California, for allegations of paying a female math tutor less than a male math tutor.
Massachusetts urges Trump administration to withdraw proposed rule affecting women, LGBT community
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced March 28 that she has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in urging the Trump administration to withdraw a proposed rule regarding health care providers denying medically necessary care for moral or religious reasons.
California to sue EPA over alleged failure to enforce landfill methane regulation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced March 23 that he is leading a coalition of seven attorneys general and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The case revolves around the EPA’s alleged failure to enforce the regulation of methane coming from landfills.
Kansas intervenes in civil case to defend constitutionality of state's cap on non-economic damages
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced March 26 that he has filed a brief with the Kansas Supreme Court arguing that the state’s cap on non-economic damages in civil lawsuits is not a violation of the U.S. or Kansas constitutions.
Arizona jet ski rental company to pay $100,000 after false advertising allegations
BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has announced that Malows Jet Ski Rentals LLC and owner Mahriar Akbari will pay $100,000 after allegations of making misleading and false claims while advertising its services to consumers.
Sessions proposes amending proposed ban on bump stocks
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced March 23 that the Department of Justice has proposed amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, to state that bump stocks “machine guns” under federal law.
Ohio joins 48 other state attorneys general supporting Medicaid Fraud Control Unit legislation
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced March 28 that he has joined a bipartisan coalition of 48 other state attorneys general and the National Association of Attorneys General in supporting a bill that would improve states’ ability to go after entities that abuse and neglect Medicaid beneficiaries.
U.S. settles with trucking company that allegedly overcharged USPS
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 12 that Beam Bros. Trucking Inc. (BBT) will pay $1.025 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act.
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FTC settles with Chinese company that allegedly deceived consumers about origin of mattresses
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 13 that Nectar Brand LLC will stop making “assembled in the USA” claims about its Chinese-made mattresses after allegations that those claims are false.
Dole to pay $145,000 to EPA after not removing cesspools in Hawaii
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 20 that Dole Food Co. Inc., a producer of fruits and vegetables, will pay $145,000 and replace two large-capacity cesspools (LCC) with state-approved septic systems at its Puuiki Beach Park property on the island of Oahu.
FTC, CFPB report to Congress on efforts to halt illegal debt collection schemes
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced March 20 that they have released a report detailing their 2017 activities to protect consumers from illegal debt collection schemes.
FTC proposes to repeal 52-year-old Picture Tube Rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 13 that it is proposing to repeal its Picture Tube Rule.
EPA fines Terminix $168,000 for alleged misuse of pesticides in Hawaii
HONOLULU, Hawaii (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 19 that it has fined Terminix International Co. $168,535 because of allegations the company misused three different restricted-use fumigant pesticides, at four separate locations on the Hawaiian island Kauai.
New York to open case examining death of student in Rochester district
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia announced March 19 that they will open a case regarding the death of Trevyan Rowe, a student in the Rochester City School District.
New York accuses fake grant writer of allegedly stealing $200,000 from Buffalo churches, nonprofits
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a lawsuit May 15 against fake grant writer Christina Sanford Gordon who allegedly stole more than $200,000 from Buffalo churches and nonprofits.
Rhode Island attorney general backs Minnesota in anti-discrimination case
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced March 14 that he has has joined a coalition of attorneys general in an amicus brief that supports an anti-discrimination law in Minnesota.
California joins coalition urging Congress to vote against PROSPER Act
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced March 19 that he has joined a coalition of 30 attorneys general in urging the U.S. Congress to opposed a bill that would exempt student loan originators, servicers or debt collectors from state-level oversight and enforcement.