News from August 2016
Fight over airline e-cigarette ban focuses on 'agency overreach'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) and the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) are continuing their fight against a final rule enacted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that prohibits the use of electronic cigarettes on airplanes. The groups have filed an opening brief in response to a petition for review of the rule that was filed in April.
Consumers allege offender monitoring products were falsely advertised
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A consumer from California and another from
Michigan have filed a class action lawsuit in the Golden State against a company over offender monitoring products.
California advertiser files suit against Google alleging click fraud
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Google is being sued by California advertiser Gurminder Singh, who alleges breach of implied covenant and that the internet giant failed to protect the plaintiff from fraudulent clicks.
Employers challenge new OSHA regulations regarding drug testing
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) - Several employers filed suit July 8 against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
Stockholder alleges California corporation, board broke federal law
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A stockholder is suing a California technology company and its board members, alleging they made false statements recommending stockholders to tender their shares to support a proposed transaction.
Consumers allege corporations violated Washington gambling laws
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — A group of more than 30 consumers is suing multiple companies, alleging violation of Washington state and federal gambling laws.
Stockholder accuses TiVo corporate officers of misrepresentation
SAN JOSE — An Ohio woman is suing TiVo and and its corporate directors, alleging negligent misrepresentations and omissions.
Two engineers accuse former employer of violating wage law
BOSTON (Legal Newline) — Two Massachusetts engineers are suing a technology company, alleging violation of the company's paid time off plan.
San Diego County plaintiffs accuse debt collectors of fraud
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — Two San Diego County residents are suing debt collectors, alleging unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business practice.
EEOC targets KASCO for allegedly discriminating against employee who practices Islam
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against KASCO LLC, a St. Louis company that manufactures and sells butcher supplies and meat processing equipment, for allegations of discriminating against an employee, Latifa Sidiqi, her adherence to Islam and her Afghan descent.
Wal-Mart pays former employee $90,000 after alleged disability discrimination
ROCKFORD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will pay a former, long-term employee $90,000 to settle allegations of disability discrimination.
New York attorney general joins coalition backing EPA greenhouse gas regulations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has released a statement supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the oil and gas industry.
Southwest Kia allegedly violated FTC administrative order, must pay $85,000
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that three Dallas area auto dealers collectively known as Southwest Kia will pay $85,000 in civil penalties after allegations of violating an FTC administrative order barring them from deceptive advertising.
My Pillow to pay New York $1.1 million after allegations of failing to collect, remit taxes
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — My Pillow Inc. will pay $1.1 million after allegations of knowingly failing to collect and remit New York sales taxes on sales made to New York consumers through its website and over the phone, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
Washington attorney general targets port of Tacoma officials for alleged campaign finance violations
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced his office has filed a complaint against the Economic Development Board of Tacoma-Pierce County (the EDB) and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce (the chamber) over allegations of campaign finance violations. These defendants are port of Tacoma officials.
EPA reaches settlement with Missouri city after Clean Water Act allegations
LENEXA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a proposed settlement with the city of Columbia, Missouri, that resolves allegations the city violated the Clean Water Act by discharging pollutants from the Columbia Landfill and Yard Waste Composting Facility.
FTC withdraws consent order in Energy Transfer Equity case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the withdrawal of its acceptance of a proposed consent order that would have required Energy Transfer Equity L.P. (ETE) to divest assets.
Complete Maintenance to pay $45,600 after sexual harassment allegations
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that Complete Maintenance will pay $45,600 after allegations of sexual harassment.
SCOTUS opinion on standing impacts Wisconsin 'serial plaintiff's' case
GREEN BAY, Wis. (Legal Newsline) — A key U.S. Supreme Court decision has derailed a scheme that netted one so-called “professional plaintiff” more than $230,000 in individual settlements.
Customer accuses Illinois business of false advertising
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — A Pennsylvania man is suing an Illinois business, alleging false claims on the size of a storage shed.