News from December 2016
Ohio lawmaker opposes term limits for state Supreme Court justices
COLUMBUS (Legal Newsline) - The Ohio Attorney General’s Office has certified a petition that would impose terms limits on the state Supreme Court.
Class action targets Costco as a re-seller of another company's gift cards
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) -- A class action lawsuit was filed Oct. 24 in U.S. District Court of for the Western District of Washington against MGM Resorts International and Costco Wholesale Corporation, alleging a breach of contract on purchasable gift cards.
Georgia Supreme Court rejects new trial in wrongful death plastic surgery suit
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – A wrongful death lawsuit filed against a plastic surgeon failed to get a new trial following a ruling by the Georgia Supreme Court affirming the exclusion of evidence that would have supposedly been helpful to the petitioner.
Ohio court 'firm and decisive' in proposed class action against Progressive
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) -- An Ohio court of appeals has upheld a trial court’s decision to deny class certification to four independent automotive body shops in their lawsuit against Progressive Casualty Insurance Company.
SEC charges two men involved in allegedly phony day-trading firm that defrauded consumers out of $1.4 million
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges Dec. 21 against two men behind an allegedly phony day-trading firm that pocketed more than $1.4 million in deposits from defrauded investors across the globe.
SEC alleges former director of New York State Common Retirement Fund used pay-to-play scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced fraud charges Dec. 21 against Navnoor Kang, the director of fixed income for the New York State Common Retirement Fund from January 2014 to February 2016, over allegations of orchestrating a pay-to-play scheme.
SEC settles with Braskem S.A. over allegations of bribing Brazilian officials
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 21 that Braskem S.A., a Brazil-based petrochemical manufacturer whose stock trades in the U.S. Markets, agreed to settle allegations of creating false books and records.
EEOC settles with Crothall Services Group over use of criminal background checks
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 16 that Crothall Services Group Inc., a janitorial and facilities management company headquartered in Wayne, Pennsylvania, agreed to adopt significant changes to its record-keeping practices relating to its use of criminal background checks.
Oklahoma-based SandRidge Energy settles SEC whistleblower allegations with $1.4M penalty
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 20 that Oklahoma City-based SandRidge Energy Inc. agreed to settle allegations of using illegal separation agreements and retaliating against a whistleblower.
Outokumpu Stainless USA to resolve EEOC race discrimination allegations with $150,000 settlement
&BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 16 that Outokumpu Stainless USA LLC, an international steel manufacturing company with a plant in Calvert, Alabama, will pay $150,000 to resolve allegations of race discrimination.
Dimensions Healthcare System in Maryland to $125,000 penalty over allegations of pregnancy discrimination
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 20 that Dimensions Healthcare System, the largest not-for-profit provider of health care services in Maryland’s Prince George’s County, will pay $125,000 after allegations of sex discrimination.
Seattle businesses subject to fines if schedule isn't posted two weeks in advance
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) -- Seattle recently joined San Francisco as the only U.S. cities to pass a so-called “scheduling” law. The Secure Scheduling Ordinance, a collaboration between Seattle City Council members Lisa Herbold, Lorena González, and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, seeks to provide a level of stability for the city’s many shift workers.
Stockholder alleges The Female Health Company, officers violated law
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — An Illinois stockholder is suing a Wisconsin corporation and its officers, alleging breach of duty and violation of federal law.
Class action over disputed text messages continues despite no messages
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) -- A Florida class action case that has been ongoing since 2012 continues, despite the plaintiff’s deletion of disputed text messages on his phone.
Environmental groups sue FDA over keratin hair straighteners
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Two environmental groups are suing the FDA, alleging violation of federal law.
California court proposes third party funding disclosure amendment
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has proposed a rule that would require parties in civil cases to disclose if they are receiving third-party funding.
EEOC accuses The Cheesecake Factory of not providing interpreter for deaf employee
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Dec. 20 against restaurant chain The Cheesecake Factory Inc. over allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
New York consumer alleges Neiman Marcus violated TCPA
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A New York City woman is suing Neiman Marcus, alleging violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
EEOC alleges Hiatt & Mason Enterprises subjected employee to racially hostile work environment
MOUNT AIRY, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Dec. 21 against Hiatt & Mason Enterprises Inc., a structural steel erection services company, for allegations of subjecting a black employee to a racially hostile work environment.
South County Support Services, Southwest Transportation Agency in California agree to EEOC settlement
FRESNO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 21 that South County Support Services and Southwest Transportation Agency in California will pay $89,691 to settle allegations of sex discrimination.