News from April 2016
EEOC alleges Mission Hospital violated federal laws regarding religious freedoms
ASHVILLE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it has sued Mission Hospital Inc. for allegedly violating federal law by failing to accommodate employees’ religious beliefs.
Mass. attorney general announces 29 civil citations against construction companies
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced the issuance of 29 civil citations against construction companies from January to March.
FTC settles with Gigats.com in case involving alleged internet misrepresentation
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has settled a case against the operators of Gigats.com after allegations the company claimed it was “pre-screening” job applicants for hiring employers yet was actually gathering information for lead generation for other reasons.
EEOC takes action against Country Fresh for alleged sex discrimination
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it has sued Country Fresh, a milk and juice manufacturer and division of Dean Foods, over allegations of subjecting female employees to sex discrimination.
DOJ files lawsuit against 25 Miami-area defendants for alleged Medicare fraud
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice filed lawsuits against 25 Miami-area defendants in three separate cases for alleged schemes to defraud Medicare of roughly $26 million in false claims through the Medicare Part D program.
Hollister and Byram Healthcare Centers settle in alleged kickback scheme case
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Hollister Inc., a company that manufactures disposable health care products, and Byram Healthcare Centers Inc., a company that supplies medical products, will pay $11.44 million and $9,372,882.50 to resolve allegations of paying and receiving unlawful kickbacks, the Justice Department announced.
Legislation would prohibit DOJ settlement terms that require donations to third parties
Some federal lawmakers argue the bill is needed to keep the Department of Justice from directing millions, even billions, of dollars to certain groups. They contend only Congress has the power to make such decisions.
New York attorney general looks to strengthen state laws to fight ticket bots
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced his plan to propose new legislation to fight illegal automated software, or “bots,” to purchase tickets to popular events.
New York City customer alleges Avis terms, conditions illegal
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - A New York City man is suing Avis, alleging its terms and conditions contain illegal provisions.
Seven New York health insurance companies to revise hepatitis C coverage policies
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Seven health insurance companies have agreed to revise their coverage policies for chronic hepatitis C treatment, New
York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
California consumer accuses Nike of price scheming
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) - A California woman is suing Nike, alleging it misrepresents price discounts at its outlet stores.
California Court bans Kun Wo from distributing allegedly adulterated rice noodles
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Kun Wo Food Products Inc. (Kun Wo) that bars the company from distributing adulterated rice noodles.
California consumer alleges Trader Joe's under-fills tuna cans
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A San Diego woman is suing Trader Joe's, alleging it under-fills its tuna cans.
New York ticket brokers to pay $2.76 million to settle illegal practice allegations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Six ticket brokers have agreed to settle with the office of New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman over allegations of illegally reselling hundreds of thousands of tickets in the state since 2011.
Department of Education to review accrediting complaint from state AGs
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – After receiving a call from several state attorneys general for a national college accreditation agency to be stripped of its status, the Department of Education (DOE) is considering their argument.
Clarence M. Mitchell Courthouse reopening set for May after fire closure
The Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr.
Z Gallerie settles for $15 million after allegedly evading customs duties on imports
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Z Gallerie LLC will pay $15 million after allegations it conducted a scheme to evade customs duties on wooden bedroom imports from the People’s Republic of China, the Justice Department announced.
Invibio to settle after allegations it hindered competition in its industry
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Invibio has agreed to settle in a case involving allegations it violated federal antitrust law by using long-term exclusive contracts to maintain a monopoly.
Judge grants summary judgment in FTC's lawsuit against Amazon
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that a federal judge granted its request for a summary judgment in the agency’s lawsuit against Amazon for allegations of billing consumers for unauthorized in-app charges incurred by children.
Justice Department announces $784.6 million settlement with Wyeth and Pfizer
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Pharmaceutical companies Wyeth and Pfizer Inc. have agreed to pay $784.6 million to resolve allegations of knowingly misreporting information related to its proton pump inhibitor (PPI) drugs, Protonix Oral and Protonix IV, the Department of Justice announced.