News from June 2016
FTC accuses SmartClick Media of deceptive practices
NEW YORK – A government agency alleges a New Jersey company is deceiving consumers with a certification program it offers.
EEOC announces landmark sexual orientation discrimination settlement
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — Pallet Companies, doing business as IFCO Systems, will pay $202,200 after allegations of sexual orientation discrimination, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced.
Austin's Park N Pizza to pay $20,000 after allegations of disability discrimination
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Austin’s FEC LLC and Austin Entertainment Center LP, doing business as Austin’s Park N Pizza in Pflugerfille, will pay $20,000 and improve workplace practices after allegations of disability discrimination.
Supreme Court denies review of Washington state case challenging pharmacy rules
SEATTLE, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review a case challenging state rules adopted to ensure patients receive timely access to medication such as emergency contraceptives. Ferguson had filed a brief with the high court urging the Supreme Court to deny the review.
Washington state judge grants subpoena request against Tim Eyman, political committees
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that a Snohomish County judge has granted his request to enforce subpoenas for Tim Eyman, his political committees and his for-profit company.
DHD Ventures Management Company to pay $40,000 for alleged racial harassment
GREENVILLE, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced DHD Ventures Management Company Inc. will pay a total of $40,000 to settle allegations of racial harassment and retaliation.
Ball Corporation to divest 8 plants to complete acquisition of Rexam PLC
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced Ball Corporation will sell eight U.S. aluminum can plants and associated assets to Ardagh Group S.A. to settle allegations that its proposed $8.4 billion acquisition of Rexam PLC would be anti-competitive.
FTC approves final inflation amendments for maximum civil penalty dollar amounts
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it has approved final amendments to Commission Rule 1.98, adjusting the maximum civil penalty dollar amounts for violations of 16 provisions laws that the FTC enforces. These amendments have been created because of inflation, as mandated by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015.
FTC finalizes settlement against Vipvape for allegations of deceiving consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced, after a public comment period, it has approved a final order resolving its complaint against Very Incognito Technologies Inc., which does business as Vipvape.
Kansas' Schmidt elected president of National Association of Attorneys General
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The Office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has announced that Schmidt was recently elected president-elect of the National Association of Attorneys General.
ExxonMobil sues Massachusetts AG over climate change investigation demand
The Texas-based oil and gas company argues the civil investigative demand, or CID, that was issued by Attorney General Maura Healey and served on ExxonMobil soon after a state attorneys general climate change conference in March was the product of climate change activists’ “misguided enterprise.”
Palmco will pay $5.28 million to resolve deceptive marketing practices allegations
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey acting attorney general Christopher S. Porrino has announced Palmco Power NJ LLC and Palmco Energy NJ LLC will pay $5.28 million and revise business practices after allegations of deceptive marketing and failing to provide promised energy rates.
Arkansas attorney general settles on alleged illegal payday loan scheme
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has announced her office has settled a consumer-protection lawsuit against Western Sky Financial, CashCall Inc., WS Funding, Martin A. Webb and J. Paul Reddam that had alleged the entities conspired to offer illegal payday loans.
W.Va. firm blames almost 300 companies in each asbestos lawsuit
The average number of companies targeted by some of the biggest asbestos firms in their lawsuits is in the triple-figures, according to recent statistics, leading some, especially those in claims management, to question the strategy of plaintiffs’ lawyers.
Iowa City to make improvements to its landfill after deal with EPA
IOWA CITY, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Iowa City, Iowa, after allegations the city violated the Clean Air Act at its sanitary landfill.
Christopher S. Porrino sworn in as New Jersey Acting Attorney General
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The State of New Jersey announced that Christopher S. Porrino has been sworn in as Acting New Jersey Attorney General at a private ceremony held at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton.
Volkswagen to pay up to $14.7 billion to settle allegations of cheating emissions tests
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice announced that German automaker Volkswagen AG and its related entities, in two related settlements with the United States and the state of California, will spend up to $14.7 billion to settle allegations of cheating emissions tests and deceiving customers.
Wa Heng barred from distribution of allegedly unadulterated and misbranded soy products
SACRAMAENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The Justice Department announced that the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California has placed a permanent injunction against Wa Heng Dou-Fu & Soy Sauce Corporation (Wa Heng) and the firm’s owners, Peng Xian “Martin” Lin and Yuexiao “Opal” Lin, barring the distribution of allegedly unadulterated and misbranded soy products.
New York Attorney General announces settlements with two real estate brokerage firms
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced settlements with two real estate brokerage firms after allegations they engaged in discrimination against prospective New York City tenants using rental assistance vouchers.
Federal court enjoins U.S. Department of Labor's Persuader Advice Exemption Rule
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced that her request to enjoin the U.S. Department of Labor’s Persuader Advice Exemption Rule was granted; the rule has now been blocked from moving forward nationwide.