News from December 2016
EEOC charges D.C. restaurant with allegations of sexual harassment
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Dec. 20 against Capital Restaurant Concepts LTD, doing business as Paolo's GT-LLC, for allegations of subjecting an employee to sex harassment based on his sexual orientation.
Lawsuit by NYC conductor who fell asleep 'a travesty' to victims of derailment, advocate says
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A complaint filed by the commuter rail engineer who caused a 2013 derailment that killed four in New York City is encouraged by the city's litigious environment and not without precedent, a litigation reform advocate says.
Why are consumers unhappy with their food and drink filing class action lawsuits?
Increased consumer interest and more plaintiff-friendly consumer statutes and consumer-friendly courts also have contributed to the increase in filings since 2008.
Lawsuit over Duncan Hines muffin mix brings definition of 'nothing artificial' to the courts
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) — A consumer’s lawsuit against Pinnacle Foods Group over alleged deceptive labeling on one of the company’s muffin mixes is bringing the complicated issue of defining the term “nothing artificial” as relating to consumer food labels into the courts.
Plaintiffs in Harley-Davidson class action 'duped,' their attorney says
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) -- Harley-Davidson Motor Co. Inc. faces a class action lawsuit alleging the engine on one of its most popular motorcycles has a common design defect that could pose a danger to riders stemming from excessive overheating.
Benefits of Joint Juice products are falsely advertised, consumer alleges
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a dietary supplement maker alleging its joint health products do not work as advertised.
California consumer alleges J. Crew falsely advertised 'discounted' products
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer is suing J. Crew, alleging breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation.
Citizens Union alleges New York state officials violated law
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Two New York citizens groups are suing New York state officials, alleging violation of state law.
Attorneys bet eSports cases will turn up again
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Though a lawsuit against an online gaming company was recently dismissed, the issues in the case, including virtual money and injuries, are far from resolved, according to two Boston lawyers.
Judge denies remand in Saint-Gobain class action
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) -- U.S. District Court Judge Joseph LaPlante won't send a class action lawsuit against Saint-Gobain back to state court, despite the plaintiffs' request.
Missouri trial lawyers respond to St. Louis' 'hellhole' designation
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The president of Missouri's plaintiffs lawyer organization says an annual report that this year singled out St. Louis as the jurisdiction most in need of legal reform is designed to scare state lawmakers.
Stockholder accuses Chesapeake Energy of making false statements
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) - A stockholder is suing Chesapeake Energy Corp., CEO Robert Lawler and CFO Domenic Dell'Osso Jr., as well as the company board.
N.Y. AG secures additional $20 million in funding for Homeowner Protection Program
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Dec. 14 that his office has secured an additional $20 million in funding for the fifth year of the Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP).
DOJ announces $15.3 billion in collections during fiscal year 2016
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice announced Dec. 14 that it collected more than $15.3 billion in civil and criminal actions in fiscal year 2016 ending Sept. 30.
DOJ will not challenge Amadeus and Mystic proposal involving pricing aggregation service
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 13 that it will not challenge a proposal by corporate affiliates Amadeus Group LLC and Mystic Logistics LLC for Amadeus to offer a pricing aggregation service to subscribers that are involved in the commercial mailing business.
DuPont settles for $50 million with U.S., Virginia after alleged environmental damage
HARRISBURG, Va. (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and the Commonwealth of Virginia announced Dec. 15 a proposed settlement with DuPont valued at an estimated $50 million.
DeVry OKs $100 million FTC settlement after allegations it misled consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 15 that DeVry University and its parent company have agreed to a $100 million settlement after allegations they misled prospective students with ads touting successful employment rates after graduation.
Justice Department recovered $4.7 billion from False Claims Act cases in fiscal year 2016
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Principal deputy assistant attorney general Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, announced Dec. 14 that the department has obtained more than $4.7 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud and false claims against the government in the fiscal year 2016 ending Sept. 30.
FTC: Arizona-based Vemma Nutrition will stop alleged pyramid scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 15 that Arizona-based Vemma Nutrition Company will end alleged pyramid scheme-inducing business practices.
Forest Laboratories OKs $38 million settlement after kickback allegations
MILWAUKEE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 15 that Forest Laboratories LLC and subsidiary Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc. have agreed to a $38 million settlement that resolves allegations of False Claims Act violations.