News from February 2016
Lyft settles class action but would still be impacted by Uber verdict, attorney says
A now-settled class action lawsuit brought by Lyft drivers in California probably will have little bearing in the lawsuit against another ride-hailing service, Uber, set to go to trial in June, a Los Angeles attorney says.
Federal judge boots Illinois biometrics class action against Facebook
The plaintiff in the case, Fredrick William Gullen, filed the complaint alleging violations of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. Gullen is not a Facebook user, but he alleged that his image was uploaded to the site and that his biometric identifiers and biometric information was collected, stored and used by Facebook without his consent.
States file opening briefs against EPA’s Clean Power Plan in D.C. Circuit
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed enforcement of the agency’s new rule until arguments in the case conclude. Arguments on the plan’s legality are scheduled for June before the federal appeals court.
Washington State House and Senate advance bill to combat Medicaid provider fraud
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – Washington State Senate and House of Representatives advanced Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s agency-request bill to combat Medicaid provider fraud.
FTC asks U.S. Court of Appeals to correct antitrust violation holding
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit that asks the court to correct the district court’s holding that a plaintiff needs to prove an injury-in-fact to establish an antitrust violation.
Tufts to pay $90,000 to resolve allegations of inhibiting access to autism treatments
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced a settlement with Tufts Associated Health Plans Inc. (Tufts) that resolves allegations the organization inhibited member access to coverage of autism spectrum disorder treatments.
FTC mailing checks to consumers victimized by alleged payday loan scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission announced that it will mail checks to consumers who were victims of a scam that allegedly promised help in getting payday loans.
Ascena Retail, Ann Inc. sued over alleged price scheming
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A San Diego woman is suing the operators of Ann Taylor stores and its website over claims of illegal price scheming.
New York AG takes action against local contractors for allegedly ripping off customers
KINGSTON, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a judgment against Douglas Cooper of Kingston and Nicholas Cooper of Highland, who together did business as N. Cooper Paving, over allegations of repeatedly and persistently ripping off customers.
Buffalo Biodiesel to drop hundreds of lawsuits against small businesses
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office has settled with Buffalo Biodiesel over lawsuits targeting small businesses.
DOJ settles with 51 hospitals for $23 million in Medicare-related case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – In a landmark health care case, the Department of Justice reached agreements with 51 hospitals in 15 states for more than $23 million over alleged Medicare violations related to certain cardiac device implementation.
Grocery Manufacturer's Association documents to be unsealed in campaign finance lawsuit
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that his office reached an agreement with the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association (GMA) that allows for the state to unseal documents related to Ferguson’s campaign finance lawsuit.
New Jersey Division of Law obtained $451 million in settlement on behalf of state in 2015
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Acting New Jersey Attorney General John J. Hoffman announced that in 2015 the Division of Law (DOL) obtained settlements and judgments that combine for more than $451 million on behalf of the state.
Operators of Carter's, OshKosh B'gosh accused of price scheming
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A San Diego woman is suing the operators of Carter's and OshKosh B'gosh over claims of illegal price scheming.
PVH, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger sued over alleged price scheming
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A San Diego woman is suing the operators of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger over allegedly advertising false price discounts.
Wendy's accused of negligence after alleged data breach
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A Florida man is suing a fast-food chain following a data breach that allegedly exposed consumers' private information.
San Diego woman alleges Dooney & Bourke deceives consumers
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A San Diego woman is suing a bags and fashion accessories company, alleging it deceives consumers through pricing schemes.
San Diego woman alleges Coach engages in price scheming
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) - A San Diego woman is suing the handbags company Coach, alleging it engages in price scheming.
Lupin, Gavis to divest products in order to complete acquisition
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a settlement with Lupin Ltd. and Gavis Pharmaceuticals LLC to resolve allegations that Lupin’s acquisition of Gavis would be anti-competitive.
FTC, Butterfly Labs reach accord after allegations surrounding Bitcoin
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a settlement with Butterfly Labs and two of its operators over allegations they deceived consumers about the virtual currency known as Bitcoin.