News from December 2014
Law firm sued for representing alleged embezzlers
A class-action lawsuit was filed against Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhodes, LLP (MMWR) on Dec. 9 over claims that the law firm represented alleged trust fund embezzlers.
Ninth Circuit rules for Verizon in class action over recorded phone calls
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A federal appeals court has ruled that because the named plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against Verizon failed to carry his burden of demonstrating a likelihood of irreparable harm, the district court properly denied his request for a preliminary injunction.
NYC's asbestos court called the most unfair in the nation by tort reform group
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Recent developments in New York City’s asbestos docket have caused it to be declared the No. 1 Judicial Hellhole by a national legal reform group.
Performance Sports sued for alleged deceptive advertising
A Connecticut man sued Performance Sports Group, LTD on Tuesday over allegations that the company misrepresented the safety of its lacrosse helmets.
Mass. college allegedly deceived students for tuition
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley received a $3.75 million consent judgment against Salter College, a for-profit college, on Friday for allegedly deceiving students with inflated job-placement numbers and employing deceptive tactics to entice students to enroll.
Ad firm agrees to settlement for alleged privacy settings
PointRoll, Inc., a subsidiary of Gannett Corp., has agreed to a $750,000 settlement with multiple states over allegations that it violated Internet privacy laws, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced on Thursday.
Indiana lawmakers can expect lawsuit lending debate in 2015
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) - In recent years, states have increasingly introduced and passed legislation to regulate lawsuit lending, a trend that those familiar with the industry say will continue in 2015.
N.J. attorneys lead discussion on increase in truth-in-consumer contract lawsuits
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Two New Jersey recently attorneys led a discussion on the uptick in Truth-in-Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act lawsuits filed in New Jersey in the last year.
Former technician sues Wendy's over alleged unpaid work
A class-action lawsuit filed against Wendy's on Tuesday alleges the restaurant chain violated the Fair Labor Standards act by not paying overtime for maintenance technician employees.
Macy's says federal law preempts Calif. statute in class action over jeans
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - Macy's has asked a federal judge to dismiss a class action lawsuit against it for allegedly incorrectly claiming a brand of jeans in its stores were made in the United States.
Class action targets Starion's billing practices
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - A Connecticut woman sued Starion Energy on Dec. 5 for alleged unfair and deceptive billing practices.
Business owner ordered to pay more than $200K to employees
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Allan Vitale, the owner of R&A Drywall, was ordered to pay more than $200,000 in restitution and penalties for allegedly violating Massachusetts' record keeping and prevailing wage laws, state Attorney General Martha Coakley said on Thursday.
Gannett subsidiary settles privacy allegations
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut signed a multi-state settlement agreement with a Gannett Corp. subsidiary that involves allegations the digital firm violated Internet privacy settings, state Attorney General George Jepsen announced on Thursday.
Fla. AG alleges student loan relief program is a scam
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi sued College Education Services, LLC., and its owners, Frank Liz and Marcia Elena Vargas, on Thursday for allegedly scamming customers with a student loan relief program.
Manhattan health care provider to revise business practices
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman reached a settlement with PATH Medical, Inc. on Thursday over allegations that the Manhattan health care provider participated in deceptive business practices.
Va. AG sues maker of highway guardrails
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) - Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring sued Trinity Industries and Trinity Highway Products, LLC., on Thursday after the Texas-based company sold allegedly improperly tested and dangerous highway guardrails to the state.
U.S. PTO’s satellite office in Texas on track to open next year
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s newest satellite office is set to open in Texas next fall, officials say.
Starion Energy sued over billing policies
A woman sued Starion Energy, Inc. on Friday, Dec. 5 for what she claims is unfair and deceptive billing practices
Home Depot data breach lawsuits consolidated in Atlanta
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) - Lawsuits involving the Home Depot data breach that occurred earlier this year have been consolidated in Atlanta federal court.
Judge denies GM's motion to dismiss safety-sticker class action
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has denied General Motors' motion to dismiss in a class action lawsuit that claims the company applied safety-rating stickers to vehicles that did not have the highest ratings.