News from January 2013
Debt company will refund up to $100,000
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A nationwide debt-relief services company must refund up to $100,000 to consumers who were unlawfully charged advance fees for debt-settlement services.
Two brokers face more charges from SEC
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Two brokers who traded nonpublic information before IBM Corporation's acquisition of SPSS Inc. are facing additional charges.
Indiana AG files lawsuit against sports memorabilia store
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed a lawsuit Friday against the Carmel-based Ultimate Sports Collection for allegedly collecting online payments from customers and failing to deliver.
N.J. AG announces $100,000 civil penalty against South Jersey resident
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced a $100,000 civil penalty Monday against a Haddon Township resident who allegedly defrauded investors who bought promissory notes from him.
Missouri company to pay $580K EPA fine
LENEXA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) - A Missouri explosive manufacturing facility has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $580,135 to settle allegations of violating the Clean Air Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Virginia AG announces legal victory against EPA
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli announced a legal victory on Thursday against a federal environmental agency after a judge agreed that attempting to regulate water itself as a pollutant exceeded the agency's authority.
Texas AG announces settlements with Pfizer, Endo
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced two civil settlements Friday with Pfizer Inc. and Endo Pharmaceuticals to resolve allegations of Medicaid fraud.
N.J. AG sues contractor
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced a lawsuit Thursday against a Bergen County-based home improvement contractor and two related companies for allegedly violating the Consumer Fraud Act.
Two companies to pay Clean Air Act fine
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Two companies have been ordered to pay a $970,000 penalty for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act while operating as a chemical plant in Springfield, Mass.
Indiana AG files lawsuits against contractors, home services company
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller filed lawsuits Wednesday against two home improvement contractors that allegedly failed to meet contract requirements and a home services company that allegedly misrepresented the urgency of repairs.
N.Y. AG publishes info on Hurricane Sandy charitable activities
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced Thursday the posting of information online that details charitable donations raised for Hurricane Sandy relief.
Calif. AG sues ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66 for environmental violations
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed a civil lawsuit Thursday against ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 for allegedly failing to properly inspect and maintain underground tanks used for gasoline storage.
Hedge fund wins, loses in Celera case
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) - A hedge fund that owned stock in health care company Celera has lost in its effort to have the New Orleans Employees' Retirement System decertified as class representative in a class action suit against the company but prevailed in its attempt to opt out of the settlement agreement.
General Biodisel to pay $63K EPA fine
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) - General Biodiesel will pay a $63,000 penalty for failing to report their hazardous chemicals to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Mass. AG issues statement on utilities' storm appeals
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley issued a statement Monday regarding the decision by several utility companies to appeal fines levied against them for their failed responses to two weather-related events.
Wisconsin AG files action against debt company owner
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen filed a complex civil forfeiture lawsuit Wednesday against the former owner of an unlicensed debt adjustment service company.
W.Va. judge loses discrimination argument
RICHMOND, Va. - An administrative law judge who alleged his suspension for making false entries on time sheets was because of his race and age has failed on his appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.