News from February 2016
Florida man alleges certain Sears grills are defective
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A Florida man is suing Sears over claims certain types of its grills are defective.
Suit claims Wal-Mart misrepresents Parmesan product
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Several U.S. residents are suing Walmart over claims it misrepresents its store-brand Parmesan cheese.
New York women allege Kraft Heinz misrepresents cheese products
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – Two New York women are suing a food company over claims it falsely labels its Parmesan and Romano cheese products.
AAJ panned companies' method of fighting class actions as unfair, though member accused it of using the same strategy
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – Weeks before the head of a national trial lawyers group condemned a legal maneuver used by businesses in attempts to fight class action lawsuits, the group was accused of using the same move – by one of its own members.
Fla. court affirms AG's power to dismiss whistleblower lawsuits
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida appeals court last week reaffirmed the state attorney general's authority to dismiss a whistleblower action under the state’s False Claims Act, even in cases in which the state chooses not to intervene in the action.
Cessna agrees to settle disability discriminations allegations
MILWAUKEE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently reached a deal with Cessna Aircraft Company that will have the Wichita, Kansas-based business pay $167,500 and provide other relief over disability discrimination allegations.
Quality Solutions to pay $22,500, resolving pregnancy discrimination allegations
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a settlement with Quality Solutions LLC that mandates the staffing company pay $22,500 and furnish other relief over allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
T's Lawn Service to pay $78,000 over allegations of deceptive sales practices
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced that a judgment will force Travis D. Kaiser, doing business as T’s Lawn Service, to pay more than $78,000 for allegations of violating the Kansas Consumer Protection Act.
DOJ settles for $3 million with importers allegedly attempting to bypass customs duties
PITTSBURGH (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice announced a $3 million settlement against multiple importers and their owners to resolve allegations brought forth under the False Claims Act.
Washington State AG comments on CenturyLink 911 outage case
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has released comments after the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) announced its settlement with CenturyLink.
VimpelCom enters resolutions with DOJ over allegations of bribing government official in Uzbekistan
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – VimpelCom Limited entered resolutions with the Department of Justice after allegations of a conspiracy to bribe Uzbekistan government officials between 2006 and 2012.
FTC approves modified final order in Mylan N.V. acquisition case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved a modified final order that settles charges against Mylan N.V.
Arkansas AG seeks to join lawsuit against FCC
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is attempting to intervene in a federal lawsuit against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
New Jersey Division of Gaming sets temporary rules for skill-based gaming
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced temporary regulations regarding skill-based gaming.
Indiana joining other states to challenge ACA Health Insurance Providers Fee
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – The state of Indiana joined with other states in a lawsuit challenging the Health Insurance Providers Fee that states must now pay to the federal government as part of the Affordable Care Act.
HSBC to pay $4 million, resolving allegations tied to force-placed insurance
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Attorney General Maura Healey announced that her office has secured a settlement with HSBC that will have the national mortgage lender and servicer pay $4 million to resolve allegations of illegal commissions and kickbacks.
New York man alleges Petro misrepresents pricing plan
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New York man is suing a home heating oil provider over claims it does not follow through on the terms of one of its pricing plans.
New Jersey man alleges Mushroom Wisdom falsely labels product
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey man is suing a mushroom supplements producer over claims it falsely advertises one of its products as able to cure brain disease.
Election Assistance Commission official sued over alleged unlawful change to voter form
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A federal election official is being sued over claims he unlawfully amended the requirements of a federal form for several states.
San Francisco woman alleges Kraft Heinz falsely advertises Parmesan products
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A San Francisco woman is suing a food company over claims it falsely advertises its Parmesan cheese products.