News from December 2016
Attorney: Fruit class action against Krispy Kreme not strong
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A Minnesota attorney said there is difficulty in bringing lawsuits like a recent case against Krispy Kreme involving the definition of fruit ingredients in food, particularly packaged foods.
Michigan attorney general intervenes in Consumer Reports case to defend state law
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) -- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has thrown his support behind a federal lawsuit filed by a Michigan man against the publishers of Consumer Reports magazine accusing publication owners of violating state privacy laws in
the way the company systematically profits from the unauthorized sale of subscriber information.
Rhode Island settles with Compass School over alleged APRA violations
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Dec. 2 that The Compass School has agreed to settle and pay a $1,000 fine after allegations of violating the state’s Access to Public Records Act (APRA).
Florida travel company Grand Incentives settles deceptive business practices allegations
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Dec. 1 that Grand Incentives, a Sarasota-based corporation doing business as Coast to Coast Giveaways, Take Two Nights and Jose L. Martinez, has agreed to settle allegations of unfair and deceptive business practices.
EPA plan seeks to protect taxpayers from financial woes linked to hardrock mining contamination
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 2 that it will take action to protect U.S. taxpayers by proposing financial responsibility requirements for the hardrock mining industry.
Medical technician accuses South Carolina business of retaliation
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — A medical clinician is suing a South Carolina corporation, alleging retaliation.
Alabama consumer accuses cell phone manufacturer of invasion of privacy
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — An Alabama man is suing cell phone manufacturers, alleging violations of the Wiretap Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, as well as invasion of privacy and trespass to chattels.
MedRite settles claims it paid writers for good reviews
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Dec. 2 that MedRite Care LLC (MedRite) has agreed to settle for $100,000 after allegations it paid for positive reviews on consumer-review websites.
Slawson settles with EPA, agrees to upgrade vapor control systems at North Dakota facilities
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 1 that Slawson Exploration Company Inc. will settle allegations of violating the Clean Air Act during its oil and gas production activities in North Dakota.
Maryland's Chief Judge honors young artists promoting peace
Students across Maryland will be recognized for their contributions to promoting peace through art.
Head of DOJ Criminal Division admits oversight of prosecutors in some districts lacking
“The Limits of Federal Criminal Law,” a panel discussion held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Thursday, included Leslie Caldwell, assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, and attorneys Cristina Arguedas, Ben Hatch, John Richter and Joseph Savage.
Judges engage with students at Civics and Law Academy
Maryland judges, attorneys, and other justice officials engaged with students to explore law and society during the Civics and Law Academy held in Montgomery County on November 29.
'All natural' claims again at center of class action
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — What is natural? The courts are constantly looking at how to resolve this very issue, according to a Minnesota attorney, as is the case with another food ingredient labeling lawsuit, this time against spice maker McCormick & Company.
SEC announces settlement with United Airlines' parent company over flight reinstatement for public official
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 2 that United Airlines’ parent company will pay $2.4 million to resolve allegations that shareholders had to foot the bill for a public official securing convenient flights.
SEC files charges against Expedia employee for allegedly hacking executives
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 5 that it has filed insider trading charges against Jonathan Ly, an Expedia employee, for allegations of hacking senior executives in order to trade on company secrets.
DOJ settles for $350,000 with developers that allegedly violated ADA at six housing complexes in Mississippi
GULFPORT, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 5 that a group of development companies responsible for six multi-family housing complexes in southern Mississippi will pay $350,000 after allegations of violating the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
UT law professor calls attorney general's union firefigher contract suit uninformed
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) — Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced a lawsuit against the city of Austin over firefighters who allegedly engaged in union activities at taxpayer expense, but a law professor from the University of Texas in Austin is skeptical of the allegation.
Boston financing company accuses debt elimination companies of swindling merchants
Forward Financing LLC filed its lawsuit in a Massachusetts federal court last month, alleging Protection Legal Group LLC and Corporate Bailout LLC are scamming businesses and keeping payments from its company.
Consumer files class action over L'Oreal hair care product
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A New York woman is suing L'Oreal, alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
CFPB wants Zero Parallel to comply with civil investigative demand
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing a California business, alleging breach of contract and violation of federal law.