News from December 2016
Consumer alleges Newman's Own pasta sauce is not all-natural
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A Queens County resident alleges a brand of pasta sauce is mislabeled as all-natural and has filed a class action lawsuit.
‘UnSettled’ documentary, on asbestos lawsuits brought against businesses, to hold screening
A so-called “work-in-progress” screening of “UnSettled: Inside The Strange World of Asbestos Lawsuits” will be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., and online Wednesday afternoon.
Alere's troubles, stock drop leave Abbott Labs attempting to terminate merger
WILMINGTON,Del. (Legal Newsline) – Global health care company Abbott Laboratories is asking a Delaware court to terminate its proposed merger with Alere because, it says, the company has been so poorly run that it no longer resembles its former self.
CEI, in agenda for new Congress, pushes lawmakers to rein in federal agencies
The Competitive Enterprise Institute’s congressional agenda, which was released last week, focuses on eight policy areas, including regulatory reform and agency oversight, banking and finance, and labor and employment, among other topics.
EPA proposes ban on certain uses of chemical TCE
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 7 that it has proposed a ban on select uses of the toxic chemical trichloroethylene (TCE).
5,000 Virginia consumers who attended Corinthian Colleges schools could be eligible for loan forgiveness
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) – Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced Dec. 6 that more than 5,000 Virginia students formerly enrolled in schools operated by Corinthian Colleges Inc. - including Everest Institute, Everest College, Everest University, Heald College and Wyotech - could receive loan forgiveness.
Bristol-Myers Squibb settles with 43 states over Abilify
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced Dec. 8 that California, along with 42 other states and the District of Columbia, reached a $19.5 million settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb over allegations the pharmaceutical company illegally marketed popular atypical antipsychotic drug Abilify. California will receive $1.3 million of the overall settlement.
CFPB orders three reverse mortgage companies to cease alleged deceptive practices and pay penalties
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Dec. 7 that it has ordered American Advisors Group, Reverse Mortgage Solutions, and Aegean Financial to stop alleged deceptive advertising practices, implement systems to ensure they are complying with all laws, and pay penalties.
Ariz. AG seeks dismissal of more than 1,000 ADA cases
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Dec. 8 that his office has filed a motion to dismiss more than 1,000 open lawsuits put forth by an alleged serial litigator who targets Arizona businesses.
Auto Number One to cease operations in Massachusetts after allegations it sold unsafe cars
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Dec. 7 that Auto Number One Inc. and its owner Mark Hanna will cease operations and pay restitution for allegedly selling unsafe and unreliable cars, failing to make repairs that were promised or required under warranties and operating in unlicensed locations.
New York attorney general targets Rochester contractor for alleged fraud
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Dec. 8 that his office has filed legal action against George Frisch, president of Dynabuild Construction Group Inc., seeking a permanent injunction to stop his alleged fraud.
Schneiderman happy with PHMSA decision to hear oil transport petition
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman released comments Dec. 6 on the announcement by the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that it will act on his oil shipping petition.
Wash. AG sues Monsanto over PCB-related issues; Company calls lawsuit 'highly experimental'
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced an environmental lawsuit Dec. 8 against Monsanto, filed in King County Superior Court, seeking damages and cleanup costs associated with the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Monsanto allegedly produced for decades.
FTC to provide $88 million in refunds for AT&T consumers in largest mobile cramming case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 8 that it will provide more than $88 million in refunds to roughly 2.7 million AT&T consumers.
SEC, Equidate settle allegations of violations of securities laws
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 6 that Equidate Inc. has agreed to settle allegations of violating federal securities laws.
New York reaches settlements over illegal 'after-sale' products with SG Hylan, Best Auto
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a settlement Dec. 8 with SG Hylan Motors Corp., a Staten Island dealership doing business as Staten Island Honda and Staten Island Nissan, and a separate settlement with Best Auto Outlet Inc., located in Floral Park.
Maryland expands electronic filing system across all Eastern Shore counties
The Maryland Judiciary has expanded its Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC) system to include Dorchester, Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.
Spokeo decision leads to dismissal of Lyft class action
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Though a district judge used a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued last spring to dismiss a Lyft driver's proposed class action over alleged Fair Credit Reporting Act violations, that high court ruling hasn't killed all such putative actions, a Tampa, Florida-based attorney says.
Legal associations send letter to President-Elect Trump
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The heads of five national legal associations have written an open letter to President-elect Donald Trump, asking the incoming president to bring unity and inclusion to not only his inchoate administration but to the nation as well.
IMDb lawsuit over celebrities' ages sparks First Amendment issues
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - IMDb.com has sued the State of California for enforcing a bill that prohibits the website from publishing celebrities’ ages and birthdays.