News from January 2016
More than 100 file opt-out notices with federal court over proposed W.Va. water crisis settlement
Those wishing to opt out or object to the settlement -- in which Freedom Industries executives have agreed to pay $400,000 -- have until next month to do so.
Pruitt announces support for TransCanada's federal lawsuit over rejection of Keystone XL pipeline
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) – Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt supports TransCanada’s federal lawsuit, which deals with President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline that runs through Oklahoma.
DOJ reaches $3.75 million agreement with doctor over alleged violations of False Claims Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice announced a $3.75 million settlement with Dr. David G. Bostwick in a deal that resolves allegations of False Claims Act violations.
Ohio Attorney General announces indictment for Environmental Enterprises after 2012 fire
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced that Environmental Enterprises Inc. has been indicted by a Hamilton County grand jury over a fire that resulted in an employee fatality.
Justice Department and FTC recommend South Carolina to repeal its CON laws
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission have recommended that the state of South Carolina repeal its laws that regulate hospital construction and the provision of health care services.
RehabCare will pay $125 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice has announced that RehabCare will pay $125 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by knowingly causing skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) to submit false claims for unnecessary services.
Alabama sues US over claims it wasn't consulted about refugee placement
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – A U.S. state is suing the federal government over claims it did not consult with the state about refugee placement.
Saline Retail sued over alleged FCRA violations
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – A Missouri man is suing a business alleging that it refused to hire him after it obtained results from a consumer report.
Crystal Clear, others sued over alleged antitrust violations
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – Three Tennessee residents are suing a telecommunications company over claims it requires certain neighborhood residents to purchase its services.
Gansler predicts more state attorneys general will enter daily fantasy sports fray
The former Maryland attorney general, now an attorney in D.C., says AGs are concerned with the regulation of the industry. Currently, daily, online fantasy sports websites like DraftKings and FanDuel are illegal in only five states.
Tenth Circuit won't let Western Union challenge class action attorneys' fees
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has ruled that Western Union has no standing to object to a class action attorneys fee award.
ATRA: Reasonable consumer test should work in Glade's favor in air freshener class action
A recently filed class action alleging Glade's air-freshening spray will come down to if a reasonable consumer would have believed the products would "eliminate" odors, a national legal reform group says.
Judge allows companies under investigation by CFPB to redact names from court files
A federal court in Washington D.C., has ruled that companies challenging a Civil Investigative Demand issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can redact their names from court filings.
Woman alleges SneakPeek's fetal gender test is inaccurate
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – An Ohio woman is suing the makers of an alleged fetal gender identification kit over claims the kit does not actually work.
Azure College sued over allegedly unsolicited calls
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A Florida man is suing a for-profit college over claims it made unsolicited calls to his cellphone.
Pacific Coast Maritime Agency sued over alleged false claims
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. is suing a maritime agency and its president over claims it fraudulently overstated its services.
Uber settles with the state of New York over alleged privacy issues
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Uber will have to adopt leading security protection practices to protect riders’ personal information after a settlement with New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman.
Texas federal judge finds prolific patent lawsuit filer’s cases ‘unreasonable’
Judge Rodney Gilstrap for the Eastern District of Texas ruled last month that numerous lawsuits filed by eDekka LLC against retailers were “exceptional” because the non-practicing entity’s cases were objectively unreasonable and it litigated in an unreasonable manner.
Authors say public release of Garlock data confirms ‘widespread pattern’ of evidentiary abuse against defendant Crane Co.
In 2014, a federal judge ruled in favor of Legal Newsline and ordered the bankruptcy case’s record to be disclosed to the public.
New York attorney general settles with UnitedHealth over alleged competition issues
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – In order to protect competition in the elder care market, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has reached an agreement deal with UnitedHealth Group.