News from December 2016
Three consumers accuse Alabama hospital of unjust enrichment
MOBILE, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Three Alabama consumers are suing an Alabama health facility, alleging breach of contract, tortious interference and unjust enrichment.
PhD Fitness facing class action over Creatine HCL
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) — Three consumers are suing a California fitness company, alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
California consumer accuses Pinnacle Foods of false advertising
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A California man is suing a food company, alleging false advertising.
Consumer accuses whiskey makers of fraud
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A New York City man is suing liquor manufacturers, alleging breach of warranty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.
Employee alleges bonding companies did not pay commissions
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) — An Ohio man is suing bonding companies, alleging breach of contract and fraud.
Sixth Circuit backs Kentucky county's right-to-work ordinance; Illinois advocates look on with crossed fingers
To stop the flow of manufacturing jobs out of Illinois, policy experts and reformers in the state, including Gov. Bruce Rauner, have pointed to enacting right-to-work laws that seem to do the trick in nearby states, such as Michigan and Indiana.
Minnesota attorney: AutoZone class action similar to frequent flyer suits
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A Minnesota attorney from Kennedy & Kennedy law firm says a recent lawsuit filed against AutoZone over its customer loyalty reward program is similar to those that were filed against airlines in frequent flyer miles disputes.
FTC announces stipulated order in payday loan scam case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a stipulated order Nov. 30 against Jason A. Kotzker that resolves charges that he and his co-defendants received personal information from people who thought they were applying for payday loans online and sold it to a scam that tapped consumers’ bank accounts and credit cards without consent.
EPA settles with Canyon Plastics over alleged Clean Water Act violations
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 1 that it has reached an agreement with Canyon Plastics Inc., resolving allegations of federal Clean Water Act violations.
Texas, 17 other states accuse U.S. over new rules defining 'critical habitats'
MOBILE, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that Texas and 17 other states have filed a lawsuit against the federal government alleging overreach when it comes to new rules expanding the definition of “critical habitats” for endangered and threatened species.
SEC charges Onix Capital with fraud, freezes assets
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced fraud charges and an asset freeze Dec. 1 against Onix Capital LLC, an asset management company based in Miami Beach, Florida, and owner Alberto Chang-Rajii, a Chilean national who fled the country early this year.
U.S. announces $5.5 million judgment against Zen Magnets; all but $10,000 to be suspended
DENVER (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 1 that Zen Magnets LLC, a Colorado company, has been ordered by a federal court to pay $5.5 million in penalties after allegations of selling powerful small magnets that had already been recalled by another company.
EEOC accuses Stevens Transport of violating Americans with Disabilities Act
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Nov. 30 against Stevens Transport, a refrigerated trucking company, for allegedly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Arizona attorney general announces telemarketing ban for Larmore Auto Glass
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Dec. 1 that Larmore Auto Glass LLC has been banned from making telemarketing calls for six years after a settlement involving allegations of illegal telemarketing calls to Arizonans listed on the National Do Not Call Registry.
Virginia settles with fundraising company Donorworx over alleged VSOC Law violation
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) —Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced Nov. 30 that Donorworx Inc., a professional fundraiser, will settle after allegations of violating the Virginia Solicitation of Contributions Law (VSOC Law).
FTC bans defendants from selling debt relief services, imposes $27 million in judgments
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a ban Nov. 30 against a group of defendants that allegedly bilked more than $12 million from consumers by falsely promising to reduce credit card interest rates.
York Furniture settles for $10,000 in deceptive business tactics case
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Dec. 1 that York Furniture Inc. will pay $10,000 after allegations it engaged in deceptive acts and made false statements in advertisements.
Man claims Orbit Baby car seat is made with chemical that could harm children
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers of a child's car seat alleging the product contains a chemical that might harm the children using them.
Consumers allege Ambit Energy adds additional charges to monthly bills
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Three New Jersey consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against a Texas energy provider alleging it uses unlawful budget billing practices.
GNC accused of falsely advertising L-Glutamine supplements
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – An Illinois consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a supplement maker alleging a specific type of supplement is falsely advertised.