News from April 2016
Baltimore City Circuit Court unveils redesigned website with improved accessibility
The Circuit Court for Baltimore City has launched a redesigned website, incorporating updated technology and a modern, responsive design.
St. Louis jurors toss 16 year old 'light' cigarette class action; Philip Morris cleared of potential billion dollar judgment
ST. LOUIS – Jurors in civil court swiftly cleared Philip Morris of a billion dollar claim that it deceived smokers into buying Marlboro Light cigarettes.
Future of False Claims Act recoveries unclear, attorney says
According to a U.S. Department of Justice statistics overview, more than $1 billion of FCA recoveries in Fiscal Year 2015 came from cases in which the government declined to intervene.
Vigilance and compliance are lessons companies should take from FTC's Lord & Taylor settlement, attorney says
A settlement was announced earlier this month over Federal Trade Commission allegations that national retailer Lord & Taylor paid for native advertisements without properly disclosing the posts were paid promotions.
With Silver convicted, some N.Y. Dems pushing asbestos transparency bill
The legislation, introduced by a group of Democrats last month, is more likely to pass now that former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver -- who was found guilty of corruption by a federal jury in November -- no longer is in power. Silver also worked at one of the most prominent asbestos law firms in the country, Weitz & Luxenberg PC.
Massachusetts AG takes action against ITT over allegedly misleading students
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has sued ITT Educational Services Inc. for allegedly unfairly misleading students about the quality of its Computer Network Systems program and the success of the program’s graduates in finding jobs.
J.A.M. Construction Corp. allegedly underpaid eight workers on Manhattan affordable housing project
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – J.A.M. Construction Corp., a subcontractor performing carpentry work at a Manhattan affordable housing project, will pay more than $80,000 in underpayments and $10,000 in civil penalties due to allegations it failed to pay required prevailing wages to eight workers.
New York attorney general's office released revised code of conduct for wind energy industry
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office has revised the code of conduct for the wind energy industry in the state.
Beach Bum to pay $20,000 and change business practices in agreement with NY attorney general
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that Salon Management USA LLC, a New York company that licenses the use of the “Beach Bum Tanning” trademark under which Beach Bum Tanning salons operate, and BBT Retail Inc. (collectively “Beach Bum”) will pay $20,000 and accept other penalties after allegations of making misleading health claims
Department of Justice takes action against Pain Management P.C. for alleged ADA violations
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit and consent decree against Pain Management P.C. of South Bend, Indiana, that resolves allegations the health care provider refused treatment to an HIV-positive individual.
FTC warns contact lens prescribers and sellers of potential violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has warned 45 contact lens prescribers and 10 contact lens sellers that they may be violating the agency’s Contact Lens Rule, which helps consumers comparison shop for contact lenses and ensures sales occur only to those with valid prescriptions.
ExxonMobil to pay $10.75 million for oil spill cleanup at eight of its locations in NY
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – ExxonMobil Corp. and ExxonMobil Oil Corp. will pay $10.75 million to the New York Environmental Protection and Spill Compensation Fund (Oil Spill Fund) for oil cleanup at multiple locations in New York, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced.
Alabama attorney general deems daily fantasy sports sites illegal
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange released a statement announcing that sports betting sites are illegal according to state la
D.C. law firm alleges discover services firm's arbitration unlawful
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A Washington D.C. law firm is suing a New York expert discover services company and its CEO, alleging its arbitration claims are unlawful.
N.J. federal court sides with defendants, says notice of class action removal was timely
The notice of removal, filed by the defendants in a class action over wage rates, was filed 128 days after service of the complaint. The federal court said neither the plaintiffs’ complaint nor their briefing triggered the 30-day time period for removal under the Class Action Fairness Act.
Investors allege LPL, officers made false statements
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - Investors are suing an independent broker-dealer and two of its chief officers, alleging they made false and misleading statements to the investing public.
New Jersey residents allege FantaSea timeshare offers fraudulent
CAMDEN, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Three New Jersey residents are suing timeshare interests companies, alleging their timeshare offers deceive consumers.
Rite Aid to pay $4.9 million in generic prescription drugs case
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) — Rite Aid will pay $4.9 million to resolve allegations it failed to pass cost savings from generic prescription drugs onto consumers, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has announced.
EPA, Advanced Coatings reach deal on water decontamination allegations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that Advanced Coatings Co., a Massachusetts resins manufacturer, will pay $38,860 to resolve allegations of violating federal clean water laws.
Washington state student loan victims to receive full refunds
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced favorable resolutions for consumers with multiple student loan adjustors that allegedly overcharged students in the state and collected unlawful fees.