News from August 2016
New Yorker claims alleged breach of contract against former employers
WHITE PLAINS — An individual has filed suit against her previous employer, Talisman, Delorenz & Pinnisi P.C., Talisman & Delorenz P.C., Steven J. Delorenz and Kimberly Delorenz, citing alleged breach of contract, fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
Illinois company files class-action lawsuit against California corporation for breach of contract
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — An Illinois company has filed a class-action lawsuit against a California corporation for allegedly breaching a contract.
New York consumer accuses coffee company of fraud
NEW YORK — A New York consumer is suing a coffee company, alleging false claims regarding the total net weight of its products.
Consumer accuses drink tablet manufacturer of false advertising
BROOKLYN (Legal Newsline) — A New York woman is suing a manufacturer of drink tablet products, alleging false advertising.
Legal wrangling over Wis. DA’s probe into Walker recall campaign continues; nonprofit targeted by investigation files class action against prosecutor
The John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, one of the targets of Milwaukee County District Attorney Mike Chisholm’s “John Doe” investigation, claims the district attorney, his employees and some state board staffers illegally seized the institute’s digital records during the now-stalled criminal probe that alleged “illegal coordination” of campaign funding by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and 29 independent nonprofits.
Tenn. senator: Former prosecutor Haag overzealous in failed case against FedEx
While the U.S. Attorney’s Office has said its internal review of the FedEx case isn’t meant to assign blame, attorneys for FedEx contend U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors ignored evidence that the company tried to cooperate with the federal agency.
Consumer accuses pasta manufacturer of deceptive acts
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A New York woman is suing the makers of Ronzoni pasta, alleging deceptive advertising.
Panel selects Pa. federal court for MDL against generic drug makers
The six-member U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation selected the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to handle the lawsuits against defendants Allergan, Impax Laboratories, The Lannett Company, Mylan, Par Pharmaceuticals and West-Ward. Providence's class action against the drug manufacturers are among the cases being consolidated.
Consumer accuses tobacco company of false claims
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — A San Diego man is suing a tobacco company, alleging false advertising regarding the amount of nicotine in its products.
Federal court rejects proposed class action settlement in Similasan case
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that a federal court agreed with the state’s brief, rejecting the proposed class action settlement in the Similasan Corporation case.
18 state attorneys general support rule to limit mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced she is leading a coalition of 17 states and the District of Columbia in supporting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) proposed rule to limit the use of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses in contracts for financial products and services.
Luxury Haus of New Jersey settles case involving deceptive practices allegations
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Chistopher S. Porrino has announced the Division of Consumer Affairs has reached an agreement with the Luxury Haus Inc. over allegations of defrauding customers. Luxury Haus will pay $20,000 and update its business practices.
Justice Department targets United Airlines for alleged USERRA violations
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced it has filed a complaint against United Airlines Inc., charging the company with alleged violations of the United Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
Attorneys general coalition urges congressman to drop inquiry into Exxon probe
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh, in conjunction with a coalition of state attorneys general, has drafted a letter to Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, to drop his inquiry into their cases against ExxonMobil Corporation.
Health Net to pay $340,000 to resolve alleged whistleblower violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Health Net Inc. will pay $340,000 to resolve allegations of illegally using severance agreements requiring outgoing employees to waive their ability to obtain monetary awards for whistleblowing, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced.
EEOC reaches $10,000 deal with GACHI over retaliation allegations
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that the Georgia Council for the Hearing-Impaired Inc. (GACHI) will pay $10,000 after allegations of retaliation against a former employee.
Simmons is big Koster contributor; Firm led class against Bridgeton landfill owner alongside AG
John Simmons of Alton, who made more than $1 million suing a business that Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster sued at the same time, has contributed $275,000 to Koster’s campaign for governor.
Judge rules Arkansas political robocall ban unconstitutional
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge for the Eastern District of Arkansas has declared an Arkansas state law prohibiting political robocalls unconstitutional.
Pokémon Go lawsuit filed shortly after attorney's 'any day now' prediction
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The labor and employment attorney who said to expect a Pokémon Go lawsuit "any day now" did not have to wait long to see her prediction play out.
Conn. court rules against volunteer's discrimination lawsuit
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that there is a clear delineation between an employee and a volunteer in an organization, drawing the line between who can claim discrimination.