News from April 2015
Lawsuit alleges conflict of interest in Life Time Fitness CEO's suitor role
A major fitness company is being sued over allegations its CEO has a conflict of interest by working with the consortium looking to buy the business. Matthew Lusk filed the lawsuit on April 10 against Life Time Fitness, alleging the business agreed to be sold to a consortium of investors for about $72.10 per share. The consortium is led by Leonard Green & Partners, LP.
Lawsuit alleges Walgreens withheld data on merger from shareholders
A lawsuit against drugstore chain Walgreens alleges it withheld information from shareholders about a proposed merger. The Washtenaw County Employees' Retirement System in Michigan filed the lawsuit against Walgreens on April 10, alleging the company also made overstatements about its business that led to an artificially inflated stock price.
Lawsuit alleges Lumber Liquidators bought 'noncompliant' wood
A hardwood retailer is the target of a lawsuit over allegations that it purchased illegally sourced wood. Macon F. Brock Jr. Robert M. Lynch, Douglas T. Moore, John M. Presley, Peter B. Robinson, Martin F. Rober, Thomas D. Sullivan, Jimmie L. Wade, Nancy M. Taylor, Daniel E. Terell, Carl R. Daniels, Jeffrey W. Griffiths and William K. Schlegel filed the lawsuit on April 15 in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, against Lumber Liquidators, alleging the company's gross margins fro
New York AG launches initiative to seek climate-change responses
A new $1.8 million program was created in New York to fund the development of climate-change responses on a local level, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Tuesday as he unveiled the program: the Community Climate Initiative.Schneiderman said the program will offer competitive grants to local organizations around the state to help fund their responses to climate change in their own communities.
Study: Microbeads in majority of samples from 34 N.Y. wastewater-treatment plants
A historic study in New York has uncovered the presence of microbeads in 74 percent of samples taken from 34 wastewater-treatment plants around the state, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said on Monday, upon releasing the findings from the report.
Cohen Milstein law firm strengthening relationships with state AGs, earning millions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Plaintiffs law firm Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll has donated more than $70,000 to various state attorney general campaigns in the last five years.
Pfizer calls recent lawsuit over Advil packaging 'meritless'
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A major drug manufacturer says it plans to fight a new class action lawsuit against it.
Bill would allow U.S. PTO to keep, use all collected fees
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Last week, a bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers introduced legislation that would allow the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to retain and use all of the user fees it collects.
Asbestos.com connects patients to plaintiffs law firm
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Asbestos.com, a website and advocacy group that supports those affected by mesothelioma and asbestos exposure, is one of many patient advocacy groups that receive funding from plaintiffs\ law firms.
Rhode Island Senate passes AG’s patent reform bill
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) - The Rhode Island Senate has passed a patent reform bill that was filed on behalf of Attorney General Peter Kilmartin last month.
Vermont AG adopts new rules on genetically engineered food labels
Attorney general files rules with Secretary of State's office
Mass. insurance company ordered to pay $3.5 million for allegedly overcharging
Company and its former agent allegedly padded premiums with hidden fees.
Ga. eye doctor to pay $790,000 for alleged Medicaid fraud
Doraville doctor allegedly billed state for unnecessary procedures.
Delaware AG proposes 4 bills to protect online privacy
Delaware legislators and Attorney General Matt Denn announced a bill that will strengthen online privacy laws
Lawsuit alleges Advil ibuprofen products' packaging deceptive
A major drug manufacturer is the subject of a lawsuit over allegations that its medication packaging deceives consumers. Matthew Fermin, Lichun Huo, Josefina Valdez and Adriana Sousa filed the lawsuit on April 14 against Pfizer, Inc., alleging its Advil ibuprofen dry pills and Liqui-Gels lines were sold with “nonfunctional slack-fill” that violates state law.
Deodorant maker sued over net weight of products
The maker of Ban Invisible Solid antiperspirants and deodorants is being sued over allegations its labeling and packaging was misleading to consumers.
Former Florida law group named in unfair business practices lawsuit
A now-closed law group is the subject of a lawsuit filed Tuesday alleging it unfairly charged its clients upfront for mortgage assistance relief services.
Bill to elect AG heads to Tenn. House
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) - A bill that would change the way Tennessee’s attorney general is chosen has cleared another hurdle.
Four N.Y. Domino’s franchisees to pay restitution over alleged labor violations
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Four New York Domino’s Pizza franchisees will pay nearly $1 million in restitution to workers in 29 stores to settle a lawsuit over allegations the owners violated several labor laws, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Tuesday.
Debt buyer agrees to vacate $1.7 million in alleged improper judgments
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A debt buyer will vacate nearly $1.7 million from 300 judgments it allegedly improperly obtained in New York courts as part of a settlement reached with Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Wednesday.