News from June 2016
Family justice center opens in Prince George's County
The Circuit Court for Prince George’s County is set to open a Family Justice Center, designed to offer coordinated services for victims of abuse and their children.
CashCall and Western Sky to pay restitution after alleged usurious internet loans
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) – Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson and Director of the Department of Banking and Finance Mark Quandahl announced a settlement that mandates that unlicensed Internet loan companies pay restitution, forgive current debts, notify credit reporting agencies for credit history repair and stop all lending in the state of Nebraska.
Mississippi Attorney General warns consumers about potential phishing scams
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood released a message urging state consumers to use caution when receiving email or text messages that appear to come from a business or bank.
NJ Division of Consumer Affairs terminates center's ability to print prescription blanks
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – New Jersey Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy announced that his Division of Consumer Affairs has terminated Downtown Printing Center’s ability to print prescription blanks for physicians after allegations the company failed to follow security requirements.
Missouri Attorney General warns consumers about fraudulent IRS scam calls
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster announced that his office has received close to 200 complaints in May about scam Internal Revenue Service calls targeting mid-Missouri.
Mississippi Attorney General comments on Supreme Court refusal to reconsider Sandoz case
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood recently commented on the state Supreme Court’s decision to refuse to reconsider a verdict of $30 million against Sandoz Inc., a pharmaceutical company.
New York AG files suit against Battaglia Demolition for alleged public nuisance
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office will sue Peter J. Battaglia Jr., owner and operator of Battaglia Demolition Inc., in order to stop allegedly noxious conditions at the company’s South Buffalo demolition debris facility.
Iowa judge cracks down on alleged mail solicitation scheme targeting the elderly
DES MOINES (Legal Newsline) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has announced a Polk County judge has ordered Robert C. Schneider of Schneider Creative to pay $100,000 for his role in allegedly designing mail solicitations that misled and cheated elderly consumers.
Billing Services Group North America agrees to reform business practices
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has announced Billing Services Group North America Inc. has agreed to settle allegations it added unauthorized charges to consumers’ home telephone bills – a process known as “cramming.”
Kentucky attorney general goes after alleged scam targeting business owners
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) — Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear has announced his office has filed a lawsuit against Michigan company, Corporate Records Services, for an alleged scam targeting business owners.
Kentucky attorney general takes action against cemetery owner
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) — Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear has announced his office has filed a lawsuit against Dale Shackelford and Crestlawn Cemetery LLC for allegations of deceitful business practices.
NHT to refund $6.5 million to New England consumers
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced New Hampshire Transmission (NHT) has agreed to a $6.8 million settlement after allegations of improperly including millions of dollars of development costs in its transmission rates.
Illinois attorney general targets DTM Conrete & Stamping for alleged deceptive practices
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has announced her office has filed a lawsuit against David Malmberg and DTM Concrete & Stamping for allegations of violating the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and Home Repair and Remodeling Act.
Massachusetts bans pest control service from operating in state
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced that Patrick F. McNeil, operating under the names Community Pest Control and Countryside Wildlife, will pay $50,000 to resolve allegations he operated without a license and misled consumers about the safety and effectiveness of his services.
Billing Tree Inc. to refund Vermont consumers
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) — Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell has announced Billing Tree Inc., an Arizona company that processes electronic payments, has agreed to pay $178,000 to settle allegations of violating state consumer protection laws.
Louisiana man alleges McDonald's discriminates against the blind
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - A Louisiana man is suing McDonald's, alleging it denies blind individuals equal access rights to its goods and services during late-night hours.
Pennsylvania targets Dauphin County man for alleged deceptive auto sale practices
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane has announced her office filed a civil lawsuit against Theodore J. Sopko of Dauphin County for allegedly advertising the sale of more than 30 vehicles throughout the past year without having the proper licenses.
Consumer alleges Harbor Freight offers sham sales
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California man is suing a discount tool and equipment retailer, alleging it deceives consumers with a fake sale scheme.
Washington targets Student Aid Center for Consumer Protection Act violations
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced his office has brought a lawsuit against Student Aid Center Inc. and its owners, Ramiro Fernandez-Moris and Damien Alvarez, accusing them of charging students illegal fees for debt adjustment services and consolidating student loans.
Haskins Gas to pay $45,600 after allegedly violating Vermont consumer protection laws
MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) — Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell has announced Haskins Gas Service Inc., a Vermont company, will pay $45,600 to 96 consumers in the state and $15,000 in civil penalties after allegations of violating state consumer protection laws.