News from December 2014
High Life USA sued by New York AG
Schneiderman
Sirius XM Radio to pay settlement to consumers
Sirius XM Radio, Inc., one of the largest providers of satellite providers in the United States, agreed to a settlement after allegedly violating consumer protection laws in 44 states, including Kansas, Attorney General Derek Schmidt said on Thursday.
Internet loan lender to pay settlement for allegedly violating Vt. consumer laws
A-1 Premium Budget, Inc., an Internet loan company, will pay a settlement after it allegedly violated Vermont's lending and consumer protection laws, Attorney General William Sorrell announced on Thursday.
Wash. educational consultants face lawsuit for Medicaid fraud
JT Educational Consultants (JTEC) was sued by Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson on Thursday for allegedly providing faulty training to school district employees in the state and racking up a number of false Medicaid claims.
NYC landlord sued for allegedly mishandling heating oil
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit on Thursday against landlord Florence Edelstein for allegedly polluting multiple properties with oil. Edelstein, owner and CEO of Edel Family Management Corporation in Brooklyn, allegedly violated New York State's oil spill laws, which address the proper handling and storage of oil used for heating. The lawsuit alleges Edelstein is responsible for 90 violations at 25 properties throughout Upper Manhattan, the Bronx and the Upper West
New York shuts down company that allegedly sold designer drugs online
KMG Direct, Inc., an online drug distributor, has been temporarily banned from selling designer drugs and was sued by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Thursday.
Home Depot should've prevented data breach, class action claims
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - A class action lawsuit alleges Home Depot should have done more to prevent a breach of its computer system that compromised millions of customers' store credit card numbers and other personal information.
Class action says TD Ameritrade violated Securities Exchange Act
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A class action alleging online broker TD Ameritrade routed orders in a manner that maximized liquidity rebates for the company rather than optimized execution for clients was recently filed in New Jersey.
Federal judge denies class certification in Whirlpool class action lawsuit
FORT SMITH, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that a proposed class will not get certification in a class action lawsuit against Whirlpool for alleged failure to clean up toxic chemicals at its refrigerator manufacturing facility that harmed surrounding property values.
Judge won't certify liability-only class in lawsuit against Mott's over labeling of apple juice
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge denied has certification in a class action lawsuit against Mott's for its alleged mislabeling of its products.
Class action lawsuit accuses TD Ameritrade of self-interested order routing
A class-action lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey alleges that online broker TD Ameritrade routed orders in a manner that maximized liquidity rebates for the company rather than optimized execution for clients.
Nebraska AG must pay more than $700,000 in fees for patent troll litigation
OMAHA, Neb. (Legal Newsline) - Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning must pay more than $700,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs for his unsuccessful pursuit of so-called “patent trolls” and a Texas law firm representing them.
Garlock: Hodges won't reopen estimation proceeding
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – On Thursday, Bankruptcy Judge George Hodges refused to reopen the estimation proceeding in the Garlock Sealing Technologies bankruptcy case, denying a motion filed by the Official Committee of Asbestos Personal Injury Claimants that challenged his original $125 million ruling.
Class action alleges Home Depot negligent before data breach
A class action lawsuit alleges Home Depot should have done more to prevent a breach of its computer system that compromised millions of customers' credit card numbers and other personal information.
Ill. attorney sues guard rail maker on behalf of Ill. counties; Suit follows $175M jury award to ‘whistleblower’
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Attorney David Cates of Swansea, Ill., sued guardrail maker Trinity Industries on behalf of Macon and Hamilton counties in federal court on Nov. 26, proposing to replace rails statewide and award damages to all counties.
‘Rammed through’ Illinois asbestos bill could face constitutional challenge; Critics say it could impose unending liability
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – While the trial lawyer lobby is likely cheering over passage of a bill that lifts a 10-year statute of repose for the filing of asbestos litigation, critics say the group wielded its influence to rush an unstudied bill through a lame duck session before a tort reform-minded governor takes office next month.
Ohio AG suing Akron roofer after 24 customer complaints
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against an Akron area roofer who allegedly didn't provide promised services.
Whistleblowers receiving $153K in FCA settlement with North Atlantic Medical Services
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Department of Justice announced on Monday that it had reached a settlement with North Atlantic Medical Services (NAMS) over allegations that it filed false claims to Medicare and Medicaid.
Community college district paying $4M to settle False Claims Act allegations; Whistleblower receives $775K
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The largest community college district in the United States has agreed to pay $4.08 million to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims to secure state and national grants, the U.S. Department of Justice announced on Monday.