News from January 2016
Massachusetts convenience store Honey Farms will pay $25,000 to settle discrimination allegations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that Honey Farms Inc. will pay up to $25,000 to resolve racism allegations.
Ohio Attorney General announces lawsuit against Thrifty Propane for allegedly misrepresenting its services
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced his office is suing Thrifty Propane for allegedly misrepresenting its services and failing to properly deliver propane to customers across Ohio.
Department of Justice seeks injunctive relief from Volkswagen over alleged faulty emission systems
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) – On behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice filed a civil complaint against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche over alleged faulty emission control systems in their vehicles.
Justice Department reaches $9 million settlement with URS E & C Holdings
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Justice Department announced that URS E & C Holdings Inc. will pay $9 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations.
Henry Schein Practice Solutions will pay FTC $250,000 over false advertising allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission has reached a $250,000 agreement with Henry Schein Practice Solutions Inc. to resolve allegations the company falsely advertised the encryption level it provided to protect patient data.
Novum Structures to plead guilty to the alleged use of improper foreign products
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Justice Department announced that Novum Structures LLC has agreed to plead guilty and pay $3 million to resolve allegations of improperly using foreign materials on construction projects involving federal funds.
New York Attorney General asks Supreme Court to invalidate two Texas abortion provisions
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – In a case also involving 13 other states and the District of Columbia, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a friend-of-the-court briefing that asks the Supreme Court of the United States to invalidate two Texas law provisions that restrict access to abortion services in that state.
Calif. SC ruling could lead to more class actions over 'organic' labels
The California Supreme Court recently decided that private citizens could bring state court actions against produce companies that allegedly falsely label their products “organic.”
Judge dismisses car hacking lawsuit against automakers
On Nov. 25, a U.S. District judge dismissed a class action lawsuit against Ford, Toyota and GM, ruling the claim that cars were susceptible to electronic hacking had no evidence of personal injury to support it.
Auto-renewal law being used in Calif. class actions; Legal reform advocate not surprised
California has seen a rise in lawsuits based on a 2010 Auto-Renewal Law, which aims to protect consumers in the state from businesses that offer subscription-based goods or services.
Global Travel International sued over alleged telemarketing calls
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A California woman is suing a Florida-based travel company over claims it made telemarketing calls without consent.
SunWarrior sued over allegedly misrepresenting products as being made in U.S.
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A California man is suing a dietary supplements and exercise/sport products manufacturer over claims it misrepresents certain of its products as being made in the U.S.
SLM, Navient sued over alleged TCPA violations
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – A Tennessee man is suing education finance companies over claims they used an automatic telephone dialing system to call him repeatedly.
Lumosity will pay $2 million to resolve claims of deceptive advertising
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission has reached a $2 million agreement with the creators and marketers of the Lumosity “brain training” program over allegations of deceiving consumers.
Calif. federal judge dismisses complaint filed by SeaWorld customers over refunds
Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo, in an order last month, said the proposed class lacked standing, but is allowing class attorneys to file a second amended complaint by the end of the month.
Georgia counties file lawsuits against telephone service providers over millions in unpaid 911 charges
Cobb County filed eight separate lawsuits in federal court last month, alleging the suppliers failed to properly assess, collect and pay 911 charges as required by state law. Gwinnett County joined in filing seven of the suits.
Water authority accuses alum manufacturers of conspiracy
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – An Alabama water authority is suing several manufacturers of liquid aluminum sulfate (alum) over claims of a conspiracy to fix prices of the chemical.
Macy's, Bloomingdale's sued over alleged price scheming
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California woman and a Florida woman are suing national retail clothing stores over claims of price scheming.
Suit claims softball bat manufacturers concealed defects
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Two California residents are suing manufacturers and sellers of certain softball bats over claims they concealed known defects in the bats.
U.S. House to take up combined bill targeting class actions and asbestos litigation abuse this week
The House Committee on Rules is set to take up H.R. 1927 -- now the Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2015 -- Wednesday afternoon and then send it to the House floor for a vote.