News from January 2016
Beekeepers, farmers, agriculture groups claim EPA’s ‘inadequate’ regulation of insecticide seed coatings is costing them
The plaintiffs filed their lawsuit against the federal agency in a California federal court last week. They argue the agency should require the coatings to be registered, properly labeled and assessed for potential harm.
Texas Indian gambling gets boost from Department of Interior
A recent federal memo and a Texas constitutional amendment could pave the way for an Indian gaming industry that has long been a target of the state's Governor's and Attorney General’s offices.
False Claims Act lawsuits continue to produce billions for DOJ
The Department of Justice announced in December that it recovered more than $3.5 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving the False Claims Act for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
U.S. House passes resolution nullifying EPA ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule
House Speaker Paul Ryan contends the new rule -- which extends the agency’s authority to all bodies of water, no matter the size -- hurts farmers and could result in higher fees for small businesses. The White House has said it will veto the resolution, which already has passed the Senate.
Pre-trial motions hearing set for high-profile Maryland case
A pre-trial motions hearing is scheduled for the case of State of Maryland v. Alicia White, Edward Nero, Garrett Miller, and Brian Rice.
Harris joins brief to Supreme Court to consider Texas abortion ruling
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced that California will join 13 other states and the District of Columbia in a friend-of-the-court brief, asking the Supreme Court of the United States to reverse a lower court decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole that allegedly restricts access to abortion services in Texas.
Arkansas Attorney General files lawsuit against Arkansas Funeral Care
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a consumer-protection lawsuit against Arkansas Funeral Care (AFC) for allegedly not providing its services in a timely manner.
Colorado Attorney General commends Herron's appointment to court
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman has announced the appointment of Patricia Herron, the senior assistant attorney general, to the 18th Judicial District Court.
Colorado Attorney General continues enforcement against debt collectors
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman plans to continue her office’s pursuit of allegedly deceitful debt collectors, announcing additional actions against them in collaboration with the Federal Trade Commission and its Operation Collection Program (OCP).
Morrisey files suit against McKesson Corp. over allegations of improper drug distributions
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced a lawsuit against McKesson Corp. over allegations that the prescription drug distributor failed to identify, detect, report and help stop certain drug orders.
Fusion Modular Green Construction to pay $600,000 over allegedly failing to build homes
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – Fusion Modular Green Construction LLC and its principals, William E. Sims III and Joshua S. Sims, will pay $600,000 over allegations of consumer protection violations, Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced.
Makers of 5-hour Energy drink agree to deal over allegations of misrepresenting product's benefits
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) – Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden reached a settlement agreement with Living Essentials LLC and Innovation Ventures LLC over allegations of misrepresenting their 5-hour Energy drink.
Florida Attorney General and FTC files suit against CardReady's alleged laundering scheme
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, along with the Federal Trade Commission, announced a lawsuit against CardReady LLC over allegedly laundering credit card transactions.
Plaintiffs argue AG-appointed special counsel violated federal law by using letterhead
Private attorneys appointed by Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine want the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether they violated federal law by using DeWine’s letterhead in sending debt collection notices. They contend a federal appeals court, in siding with the plaintiffs, got it wrong. A group of state attorneys general agree.
Wysong sued over allegedly falsely labeling products as made in US
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California resident is suing a gourmet pet food company over claims it falsely labeled certain products as being made in the U.S.
Fromm Family Foods sued over alleged mislabeling of products
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California resident is suing a pet food company over claims it mislabeled certain products as being made in the U.S.
Mercury Payment Systems sued over allegedly inflating fees
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – An Ohio restaurant and a California clothing store are suing a national merchant acquirer and payment card processor over claims it has fraudulently reaped millions of dollars from clients by inflating certain credit card fees.
JPMorgan will pay $150 million settlement in case brought by Ohio pension fund, others
JPMorgan Chase & Co. recently reached a $150 million settlement with the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System over claims that Chase hid up to $6.2 billion in losses incurred in a trading scandal.
Texas SC says company didn't retaliate against employee for filing Workers' Comp claim
The Texas Supreme Court recently overturned a jury's finding that HVAC company Kings Aire fired an employee because he filed a Workers' Compensation claim.
FTC warns 32 companies using environmental 'green' seals
In September, the Federal Trade Commission issued warning letters to five manufacturers of environmental certification seals and 32 businesses that use those seals, cautioning that the certifications do not comply with the FTC’s “Green Guides.”