News from June 2016
FTC takes action against alleged mortgage relief scam led by Damian Kutzner
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has charged Damian Kutzner and four attorneys with allegations of taking millions of dollars from homeowners through false claims.
Marathon Petroleum Co. to install Flare Gas Recovery Systems after deal with EPA
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice announced that Marathon Petroleum Co. will pay a $326,500 civil penalty, spend $15.55 million on projects to reduce air pollution, and spend $319 million to install state-of-the-art Flare Gas Recovery Systems (FGRSs) at its refineries.
EEOC announces settlement with Peters' Bakery in San Jose
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that Peters' Bakery, located in East San Jose, will pay $40,000 to a Latina employee after allegations of national origin harassment and retaliation.
Cotter to pay EPA $957,604 in contamination case at uranium mill site in Colorado
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Cotter Corp. NSL will pay $957,604 in past costs to settle a case where the EPA looked into contamination at Cotter’s uranium mill at the Lincoln Park Superfund site near Cañon City, Colorado.
Morgan Stanley settles after allegations it failed to protect customer information
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC will pay $1 million to settle allegations it failed to protect customer information, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced.
Company to pay $23,000 after allegations of violating Toxic Substances Control Act
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Northeast Lamp Recycling Inc. will pay $23,000 and comply with federal law after allegations that it violated federal laws regulating toxic substances.
Arkansas to receive $131,942.10 in national settlement with Tarceva makers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Genentech Inc. and OSI Pharmaceuticals LLC agreed to pay a total of $67 million to federal and state Medicaid programs, including $131,942.10 to Arkansas, after allegations of making misleading representations about its products, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced.
BP Products North America to pay $275,000 and reduce oil pollution at Indiana refinery
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – BP Products North America Inc. agreed to pay $275,000 and take steps to reduce pollution at its Whiting, Indiana, petroleum refinery, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced.
SEC announces $17 million whistle-blower award
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it has awarded a $17 million whistle-blower award to a former company employee that significantly helped an SEC case.
McDonald's ADA class action part of growing trend in Illinois
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Chicago has become a destination for out-of-state plaintiffs who wish to file certain Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits, a state civil justice reform group says.
Massage Envy, facing another class action, won't comment
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – Massage Envy, facing a California class action lawsuit, could benefit from the type of reform enacted in a neighboring state, according to an official from the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Doctor’s class-action suit claims junk fax transmissions clog machines
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A Florida physician is suing two skin care companies claiming their unsolicited fax campaign violates the 2005 Junk Fax Protection Act.
SEC announces deal with two California-based municipal advisory firms
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that School Business Consulting Inc. and Keygent LLC will settle allegations of using deceptive practices when soliciting business from five California school districts.
SEC announces settlement with consultant charged with insider trading
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Guolin Ma, a former consultant to two China-based private equity firms, will pay more than $756,000 to settle allegations of insider trading, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced.
Lawyer: Post-Orlando tragedy, employees should report concerns about co-workers
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – While warnings from co-workers didn't prevent this past weekend's mass killing in Orlando, employers must encourage that kind of communication to not only prevent attacks but reduce liability, an employment attorney said during an interview on Monday.
FTC accuses weight-loss firms of using spam to promote products
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission is suing two firms selling weight-loss products over claims they allegedly sent unsolicited emails that spoofed the recipients’ contact lists and then directed them to fake news websites.
Class-action suit accuses shoe store of deceptive advertising
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California woman is suing an shoe retailer claiming it used deceptive and misleading advertising to market the exclusive merchandise it sells online and in its stores.
Consumer claims Dream Bone could harm dogs
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer is suing a dog food manufacturer claiming its allegedly false and misleading product labeling for dog treats could pose a health hazard for pets.
Century 21 one of the latest to face TCPA class action
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California woman who alleges she received several unsolicited sales calls from Century 21 Real Estate, despite her number being listed on the National Do-Not-Call Registry, has filed a lawsuit against the company.
Attorney: Parmesan cheese suit will likely get an early dismissal
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Lawsuits against Parmesan cheese makers “spiked” after a new report in February claimed some companies use too much cellulose as a filler, Jacob Harper, a Troy Gould attorney and specialist in consumer class actions, told Legal Newsline.