News from July 2016
Injury Help Network accused of violating TCPA
SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) – A Kern, California resident has filed a class-action lawsuit against a company that handles Social Security disability claims over allegations it called him using an automatic telephone dialing system.
FTC settles case with Invibio for allegations of illegally creating a monopoly
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved a final order, after a public comment period, that settles charges against Invibio for allegations of using long-term exclusive contracts to illegally maintain a monopoly.
FTC settles with debt collectors, companies over alleged illegal debt collection tactics
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that two debt collectors and three companies have been banned from the debt collection business through settlement after allegations of using false threats and other illegal collection tactics.
EEOC files suit against Ramnarain II for allegedly firing employee over religious beliefs
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Ramnarain II LLC, an Orlando staffing company serving Central Florida's hospitality industry, over allegations of firing an employee over his Rastafarian religious practices.
PCPC to pay $9,000 in restitution after allegations of deceiving consumers in Idaho
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) – Private Client Payment Corp. (PCPC) has agreed to settle allegations of misleading state businesses, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. PCPC will pay $9,000 in restitution to business owners who filed complaints.
Solicitor general to comment on biologics case before SCOTUS
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Supreme Court has asked for consideration from Solicitor General Ian Heath Gershengorn in a case involving biologics.
Businesses now face 78% higher penalties for OSHA violations
The maximum penalties for Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations will see a nearly 80 percent rise this summer, after the Federal government decided to bring them up to pace with inflation.
Caterpillar reaches $60 million settlement in class action over alleged engine defects
The plaintiffs argued the engines with the CAT Regeneration System, or CRS, failed, causing the company’s ACERT C13 and C15 on-highway diesel engines to lose horsepower and shut down, requiring Caterpillar-authorized dealer technicians to repair the engines. The plaintiffs alleged they could not effectively do so.
K12 Inc. settles case involving allegations of California false claims violations
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — K12 Inc., a for-profit online charter school operator, and the 14 affiliated non-profit schools known as the California Virtual Academies (CAVA Schools), will settle a case involving allegations of false claims, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has announced.
15 state attorneys general urge Congress to reform federal agency rulemaking process
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — The Office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has announced Schmidt has joined 14 other state attorneys general in a letter to Congress, urging it to take action reforming the federal agency rule-making process.
Massachusetts settles with INDYCAR, sues Boston Grand Prix
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — INDYCAR LLC has agreed to provide $925,000 in refunds for advance tickets purchased for the canceled Boston Grand Prix, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced. Healey also noted she filed a lawsuit against Boston Grand Prix LLC (BGP) and CEO John Casey, seeking full refunds for all ticket purchasers.
Delaware to enforce ban on paid online fantasy sports
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) — The Delaware Department of Justice has notified DraftKings Inc., FanDuel Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. that state law disallows their respective online fantasy sports activities. The department asked the organizations to add Delaware to their lists of states in which players are not legally permitted to win monetary prizes.
California attorney general urges FDA to change blood donation rules
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has sent a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging it to drop the practice of deferring blood donations from men who have sex with men (MSM) even once within 12 months of trying to donate blood.
Indiana attorney general defends state ATC against vaping product plaintiffs
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has announced that a federal judge has heard oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging Indiana regulations on liquid manufacturing used in electronic smoking devices.
Subscriber alleges Netflix breached payment contract
SAN JOSE — A Florida man is suing Netflix, alleging it wrongly increased the subscription price for long-term subscribers.
Consumer accuses sun screen makers of fraud
CHICAGO — An Illinois woman is suing a sun screen products company, alleging fraud.
Md. federal judge says possible future injuries not enough in data breach class action
Judge Richard Bennett for the U.S. District Court for the District Court of Maryland recently dismissed the putative class action brought against CareFirst Inc. and CareFirst of Maryland Inc.
Alpha Natural Resources to provide $12 million for Twin Star Mine cleanup
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring has announced Alpha Natural Resources Inc. has committed to pay $12 million to help clean up the former Twin Star Mine in Buchanan County.
New York targets Delta Services for scheme allegedly harming the unemployed
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York City-based Delta Services, Inc. (“Delta”), its predecessor Ultimate Security Force Inc., also known as U.S.F. (“Ultimate Security”), and owner Jeffreys Paulino, used false job lists and promises of employment to trick unemployed consumers, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman alleges in a lawsuit.
Pennsylvania receives settlement from law group that allegedly violated federal statutes
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — James Havassy and Hamilton Law Group PC will settle allegations of violating state laws when attempting collect medical debts, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane has announced.