News from January 2015
DaVita Healthcare Partners settles FCA claims for $22M
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) - Kentucky will receive a portion of a $22 million settlement with DaVita Healthcare Partners after the company allegedly committed Medicaid fraud in several states, state Attorney General Jack Conway announced on Tuesday.
Patent law experts: New GOP-controlled Congress could pump up reform legislation
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Patent law experts agree that the next go at federal patent reform legislation most likely will end up resembling a bill introduced and approved in 2013 - or possibly be more aggressive - when the “new” Republican-controlled Congress convenes this month.
Former Jimmy John's managers file lawsuit wanting overtime pay
Three former employees of a popular sandwich company filed a collective action complaint alleging they should have been given overtime compensation.
Judge allows plaintiffs to pursue Wiretap Act claims against Facebook
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A federal judge is allowing Wiretap Act claims made against Facebook in a class action lawsuit to proceed.
Pa. hospital settles FCA allegations for $662K
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Northampton Hospital Company, LLC and Northampton Hospital Corporation, owners and operators of Easton Hospital in Northampton County, Pa., have agreed to a $662,000 settlement with the government to resolve allegations of health care fraud arising under the False Claims Act.
Dollar Tree to pay settlement for toxic jewelry
Dollar Tree Stores, Inc., will pay the government of Vermont $42,500 and will no longer sell jewelry in the state as part of a settlement announced by Attorney General William Sorrell on Tuesday.
Illinois appellate court upholds asbestos defense verdict
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Fourth District appellate judges in Illinois affirmed a verdict for insulation distributor Sprinkmann Sons on Dec. 16, finding McLean County jurors could have regarded the position of asbestos plaintiff expert as unreasonable.
Dish Network agrees to $2 million settlement with CO
Dish Network, L.L.C., will pay $2 million as part of a settlement reached with Colorado Attorney General John Suthers on Friday following allegations of deceptive or misleading sales practices.
California city's benefits plan files shareholder derivative suit against OSI Systems
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - The City of Irving (California) Supplemental Benefit Plan filed a shareholder derivative lawsuit on Dec. 29 on behalf of OSI Systems, Inc. against Deepak Chopra, Ajay Mehra, William F. Ballhaus, David T. Feinberg, Steven C. Good and Meyer Luskin.
Mass. energy company to pay $4 million settlement
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley reached a $4 million settlement with Just Energy Group, Inc. on Tuesday over allegations that it participated in deceptive business practices.
Apple Transportation settles with New York for $300K
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - Apple Transportation of New York, Inc., reached a $300,000 settlement with state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on Monday over allegations that it billed Medicaid for transportation services that weren’t actually provided.
Verizon settles overbilling claims with Massachusetts for $1.3M
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Verizon New England, Inc., will pay a settlement to Massachusetts after allegedly overcharging for telecommunications services under its contract with the commonwealth, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said Dec. 30.
Ky. to receive portion of DaVita Medicaid settlement
Kentucky will receive a portion of a $22 million settlement with DaVita Healthcare Partners after the company allegedly committed Medicaid fraud in several states, Attorney General Jack Conway announced on Tuesday.
Novartis sues Ranbaxy for alleged patent infringement
Novartis Pharmaceuticals sued Ranbaxy, Inc. and Ranbaxy Laboratories, Ltd., on Dec. 29 over allegations of patent infringement.
Purdue Pharma says plaintiffs attorney fed info to new whistleblowers after first suit failed
BECKLEY, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) – In demanding two whistleblowers in what it feels was a frivolous lawsuit pay its legal fees, the maker of the painkiller OxyContin says a Virginia attorney supplied the information that the two were blowing the whistle on.
Iowa AG files seven lawsuits over excavations near gas pipes
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - Seven companies are facing lawsuits for allegedly violating an Iowa law that requires companies to notify a call center when excavating near a gas pipe, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller said Monday.
North Carolina, 10 other states to receive funds from Belcorp Tobacco settlement
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida tobacco company will pay a settlement to North Carolina via the United States government, North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper said Dec. 29.
Ohio pensions take action against American Realty Capital Properties
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - A real estate investment trust is facing a lawsuit from a group of investors after a motion was filed by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine on Dec. 30.
N.J. contractors to pay $567K in restitution
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Multiple contractors allegedly have violated New Jersey consumer laws and will be forced to pay thousands in restitution to New Jersey consumers, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs and Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said Monday.
Injunction prevents N.Y. landowner from diverting stormwater to cemetery
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman received a court-ordered injunction on Dec. 24 that will stop a landowner from diverting stormwater off his property after he allegedly flooded a nearby cemetery and State Route 281.