News from January 2016
Suit claims Lucini Italia misrepresents food products as all-natural
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline)—A New York man is suing a food company over claims it misrepresents its products by labeling them as 100 percent natural.
CenterLight Healthcare to pay $47 million over charge it fraudently billed Medicaid
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — CenterLight Healthcare will pay $47 million to resolve allegations it fraudulently billed Medicaid for services it did not actually provide, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
Virginia attorney general announces $63 million recovery from 11 banks in fraud case
RICHMOND (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced the recovery of more than $63 million from 11 banks, settling allegations the banks misled the commonwealth of Virginia and the Virginia Retirement System (VRS).
Montana attorney general urges BLM to cancel mining land withdrawal proposal
HELENA, Montana (Legal Newsline) — Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has asked the Federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to cancel a proposal that would see nearly 1 million acres of public land withdrawn from potential mineral exploration and mining.
Arizona attorney general targets Sticks n Strings in fraud case
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office filed a consumer fraud lawsuit against Sticks N Strings Inc. and its owner, Anthony Bernard, after complaints the company failed to deliver purchased musical instruments.
Car buyers allege new Honda models' wiring insulation defective
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — Several auto buyers are suing Honda, alleging its soy-based electrical wiring insulation attracts rodents that chew through it.
Woman alleges National Conference of Bar Examiners breached contract
BROOKLYN (Legal Newsline) — A woman is suing a state legal bar examination and admissions company and two of its agents, alleging they refused to cooperate with her in processing her application to practice law.
Pennsylvania attorney general takes action against Consignments on Centre
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania -- Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane announced the filing of a legal action that seeks to help consumers recover financial losses from the owners of Consignments on Centre, which had filed for bankruptcy.
Washington attorney general discusses environmental review of crude oil terminal
OLYMPIA, Washington (Legal Newsline) — In a review of a proposed crude oil terminal in Vancouver, Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office cited its concerns about train derailment and first responder readiness for potential oil spills.
EEOC can proceed with sex discrimination lawsuit against Mach Mining
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) can proceed with its sex discrimination action against Mach Mining, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois ruled by relying on the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case.
Washington attorney general seeks to penalize GMA over alleged deception
OLYMPIA, Washington (Legal Newsline) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced his office will seek a grant summary judgment to penalize the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) for its alleged intentional deception in eluding state campaign finance laws.
Another company making racketeering claims against asbestos lawyers
A company that is frequently targeted in asbestos lawsuits wants to add its own racketeering claims to those already pending against a prominent plaintiffs law firm.
Alaska SC upholds state contract to firm whose bid exceeded specified page length
Following guidelines may or may not pay off.
FDA action led to Cheerios gluten-free class action
Reports to the federal Food and Drug Administration have led to consumers who purchased Cheerios labeled as "gluten-free" filing class action lawsuits.
GM ignition switch lawsuit dismissed amid fraud claims
The first of several bellwether trials ended abruptly last week after lawyers for the car maker uncovered evidence that the plaintiff was not completely honest about his claims.
Ohio man alleges misrepresentation of weight-loss products
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) – An Ohio man is suing manufacturers and sellers of certain weight-loss supplements, alleging these products do not really contain as much of their active ingredient as the defendants represent.
Federal judge kills another data breach class action against retailer
Judge Joanna Seybert for the Eastern District of New York said the class action lawsuit brought against arts and crafts retailer Michaels lacked standing. A similar class action against the retailer was dismissed in 2014.
False Claims Act penalties increasing in 2016
Due to the passage of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 2015, the maximum civil penalties for fraud against the government have now been increased to $11,000 for 2016.
Wash. attorney general reaches $74,435 settlement with Rairdon's Dodge Chrysler Jeep
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Rairdon’s Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Kirkland has agreed to pay $74,435 to resolve allegations of deceptive advertising practices, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson recently announced.
N.Y. attorney general reaches settlement with developer of stalled Wall Street condo project
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman recently reached a settlement with Africa Israel Investments Limited to resolve defect claims for a building it’s been developing in Manhattan.