News from June 2016
CFPB proposes new rules targeting payday loan fees
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently released proposed new rules designed to regulate payday, automobile title and some high-cost installment loans in an effort to protect consumers from the financial woes associated with frequent loan and overdraft fees.
Consumer advocates, financial services industry butt heads over CFPB
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Five years after it was created, the success of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is hotly debated.
History not a guide for possible Chicago Public Schools bankruptcy
Only four school districts have declared Chapter 9 bankruptcy in the past 62 years, and two of those abandoned the process, says a municipal bankruptcy expert asked about the possibility of Chicago Public Schools doing the same.
FTC takes action against alleged Florida robocall scheme
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that, along with the Office of the Florida Attorney General, it has taken action against Life Management Services of Orange County LLC for allegedly illegal robocalls.
Arizona attorney general warns consumers about 'annual minutes' scam
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a warning for consumers, urging them to be cautious of mailings that claim to be official documents stating that the consumers owe money for an annual minutes or annual corporate minutes requirement for their business.
Walker Cancer Research Institute to make voluntary payment to resolve investigation
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The Office of New Jersey Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy announced that the Division of Consumer Affairs concluded a case against Walker Cancer Research Institute.
EEOC announces settlement with Nevada car dealerships for alleged discrimination
RENO, Nev. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that three integrated Nevada-based car dealerships will pay $50,000 for alleged disability discrimination.
Community Waste Services agrees to pay restitution for services allegedly not done
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – Community Waste Services has agreed to pay restitution for consumers who made advance payments for waste services that the company allegedly did not perform, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced.
Clifton Taxi alleged to have violated New Jersey Law Against Discrimination Act
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Clifton Taxi and Limousine Inc. has allegedly violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination Act (LAD), according to New Jersey Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy and the state’s Division on Civil Rights in a recent complaint in Superior Court.
Law360 agrees to stop using non-compete agreements in employee contracts
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Law360, a top legal news website in the country, will stop using non-compete agreements in its employee contracts, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced.
Colorado Attorney General warns consumers about potential 'timeshare reseller' scams
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman announced that she is urging consumers who are thinking about selling timeshare interests to look out for common scams perpetrated by so-called “timeshare resellers.”
SEC takes action against former VP at SAP America for allegations of insider trading
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that it has charged Christopher Salis, former global vice president of SAP America, with alleged insider trading.
FTC to mail checks to consumers allegedly victimized by Pure Health and Genesis
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it is mailing 191,748 refund checks totaling $9,190,842.68 to consumers who purchased Pure Health or Genesis green coffee bean extract weight-loss supplements, with each consumer receiving $47.93.
Rhode Island General Assembly advances 'patent troll' legislation
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that the Rhode Island General Assembly has advanced legislation developed at his request that bans “patent trolls” in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island legislation regarding e-cig packaging advances in House of Representatives
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that legislation filed on his behalf that would require e-liquid packaging used in electronic nicotine-delivery systems such as e-cigarettes to be child resistant has been advanced by the State House of Representatives.
Two Ohio business owners to pay $160,000 after allegations of violating Fair Housing Act
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) – Dean Windham and Milton Studer, a real estate developer and an architect in Ohio, along with companies they owned and controlled, will pay $160,000 after allegations of violating the Fair Housing Act, the Justice Department announced.
Supreme Court might be needed to offer copyright clarity
PASADENA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) —A decision earlier this month by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit about whether the 1990 Madonna hit “Vogue” infringed on the copyright of another song marks a split with an earlier decision by the Sixth Circuit and leaves musicians and rights holders unsure about what the law really is, according to a copyright lawyer.
Sixth Circuit rejects Blue Cross class action settlement because of sealed docs
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsine) - On June 7, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit rejected a $30 million class action settlement in a lawsuit alleging Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan of price fixing because class members couldn't review key documents.
Update to Florida law will ban surprise medical bills
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — An update to Florida law will extend health care billing protections to more consumers starting July 1.
FAPS Inc. to pay $350,000 after allegations of race discrimination
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that FAPS Inc. will pay $350,000 after allegations of race discrimination.