News from August 2016
Bachem Americas, Crosby & Overton to pay collective $130,000 to settle RCRA allegations
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Bachem Americas Inc. and Crosby & Overton Inc. have agreed to pay a collective $130,000 to settle allegations of violating the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced. The facilities purportedly handled hazardous waste improperly.
Hershey Trust, Milton Hershey School agree to operational changes
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — The Hershey Trust Company and the Milton Hershey School have agreed to make significant changes to improve the operation and governance of both entities, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane has announced.
Arizona-based telemarketing business to pay $6 million to settle alleged violations
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — A telemarketing enterprise will pay $6 million in restitution and civil penalties for allegations of bilking consumers across the nation out of millions of dollars, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has announced.
EPA, Connecticut Light and Power reach $47,000 settlement
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the Connecticut Light and Power Company will pay $47,000 after allegations it violated federal regulations in its management of a transformer that spilled 50 gallons of oil containing PCBs at a location in Waterbury.
Washington attorney general targets Comcast in landmark case
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced his office has filed a lawsuit against cable television and Internet company Comcast over allegations of illegally deceiving consumers.
Second Circuit: Class can be decertified after jury verdict
Plaintiff Joseph Mazzei filed a class action against The Money Store, TMS Mortgage Inc. and HomEq Servicing Corp. for breach of contract, challenging the imposition of post-acceleration late fees on mortgages. Last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, which granted the defendants’ post-verdict motion to decertify and entered judgment in favor only of Mazzei.
2 Texas consumers accuse Apple of fraud
SAN FRANCISCO — Two Texas consumers are suing Apple, alleging breach of contract.
EEOC settles for $150,000 with Hillcrest Marshall over sexual harassment allegations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Hillcrest Marshall Inc., owner of multiple Dunkin’ Donuts franchises in Westchester County, will pay $150,000 to settle allegations of sexual harassment.
Illinois man accuses credit report business of antitrust violations
ROCKFORD— An Illinois man is suing a credit report business, alleging fraud and unfair business practices.
Consumer accuses Indiana company of false advertising
CHICAGO — A Chicago woman is suing and Indiana company, alleging the defendant made false claims about its product.
Justice Department accuses government contractors of False Claims Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced a lawsuit against Derish M. Wolff and Salvatore J. Pepe, respectively the former CEO and CFO of Louis Berger Group Inc. (LBG), for alleged violations of the False Claims Act.
Jacintoport, Seaboard to pay $1.075 million after allegedly violating False Claims Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Jacintoport International LLC and Seaboard Marine Ltd. will pay $1.075 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act, the Department of Justice has announced. The allegations relate to a warehouse and logistics contract for the storage and re-delivery of humanitarian food aid.
Washington attorney general opposes Tesoro Savage Vancouver Energy Distribution Terminal project
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson ha announced his Counsel for the Environment will oppose the proposed crude oil terminal in Vancouver.
FTC releases opinion, final order in LabMD case involving alleged security issues
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced an opinion and final order reversing an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) initial decision that dismissed FTC charges against LabMD Inc. The reversal means LabMD’s data security practices were allegedly unreasonable and constitute an unfair act violating the FTC Act.
Justice Department may block health insurance mergers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Competition between private insurance and Medicare Advantage programs is one impact from the potential mergers of major health insurance companies.
Massive talc verdicts in St. Louis lead to windfall of clients for Beasley Allen
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) - Seventeen thousand individuals contacted a law firm in the weeks after the family of a Alabama woman was awarded $72 million by a jury, one that found Johnson and Johnson hid information linking ovarian cancer to talcum powder.
Sixth Circuit: Tendering funds to class action plaintiff still doesn’t moot case
The federal appeals court was forced to take up a question the U.S. Supreme Court declined to answer in Campbell-Ewald Co. v. Gomez.
EEOC OKs deal with ADP after allegations of racial discrimination
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced ADP LLC, a leading payroll processing and human resources management outsourcing provider, will settle allegations of discriminating against black and Hispanic individuals.
Utica schools to adopt new policies after allegedly denying enrollment to immigrants
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The Utica City School District has settled a case involving allegations it denied enrollment to immigrant and refugee students above the age of 16, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
EPA: GHG emissions from aircraft engines harm environment
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its final determination that, under the Clean Air Act, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from certain types of aircraft engines contribute to the pollution that causes climate change and endangers the environment and the health of U.S. citizens.