News from March 2016
DOJ settles with RHC for $1.75 million over False Claims Act violation allegations
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice recently announced that Mark T. Conklin, former owner, operator and sole shareholder of Recovery Home Care Inc. and Recovery Home Care Services Inc. (collectively RHC), has agreed to pay $1.75 million over allegations that he violated the False Claims Act.
CFPB takes action against Dwolla in data security case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has ordered online payment platform Dwolla Inc. to pay $100,000 and fix its security practices after allegations of deception.
New York woman alleges Zulily engaged in price scheming
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A New York woman is suing an online retailer and its successor in interest, alleging they engage in unlawful price scheming.
New Jersey man alleges SharkNinja concealed facts about vacuum
TRENTON, New Jersey (Legal Newsline) - A New Jersey man is suing a vacuum and kitchen supplies company, alleging it failed to disclose material facts about a certain vacuum.
Arizona attorney general takes action against Hodgin and Hodgin
TUCSON, Arizona (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s office has taken action against Hodgin and Hodgin & Co LLC (“defendants”) for allegedly violating the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act.
California seeks more help for students victimized by for-profit institutions
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has issued a statement urging the U.S. Department of Education to better help students allegedly defrauded by Corinthian Colleges and other for-profit colleges.
New York man alleges Eko misrepresents coffee filters
BROOKLYN, New York (Legal Newsline) - A New York man is suing a niche coffee supplier, alleging it misrepresents certain filters as being compatible with the Keurig 2.0 brewing system.
U.S. SC’s decision in Gomez leaves class action questions on the table
In January, the nation’s highest court ruled that an unaccepted offer of complete relief to a named plaintiff in a putative class action lawsuit does not moot the plaintiff’s claim. But it would not decide whether the result would be different if a defendant deposits the full amount of the plaintiff’s individual claim in an account payable to the plaintiff, and the court then enters judgment for the plaintiff in that amount.
New Jersey man alleges Nuplexa misrepresents supplement
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey man is suing a wellness products company and one of its principals over claims they misrepresent one of their nutritional supplements.
Suit filed after agreement between law firms was allegedly terminated
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Legal Newsline) – A law firm is suing several other law firms after an agreement between them was allegedly terminated.
Florida AG announces consent judgment against Alumni Research
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a consent judgment against Alumni Research Inc. and its CEO Robert Laping for allegedly violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and the Florida Telemarketing Act.
New owners of Soldier Mountain Ski Area will distribute $13,400 in charitable goods
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) – Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden came to an agreement with the Soldier Mountain Ski Area Inc. during an ownership transition that will see the new owner distribute $13,400 in charitable goods over the next four years.
Florida AG obtains consent judgment against InterFACE Talent
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced a $22 million settlement with entities doing business as InterFACE Talent and their president and CEO Roman Vintfeld, over allegations of deceiving Florida consumers.
Hearing held, judge weighing sanctions against Goodson, fellow class action lawyers and USAA's defense team
FORT SMITH, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – An Arkansas federal judge recently held a hearing to weigh sanctioning class action attorneys, including John Goodson of Keil & Goodson, and attorneys for the company they sued who he says wasted his court's time while colluding to push through a controversial settlement in a different court.
Lawyer wants his share of fees awarded in tobacco class action
Nevada attorney Donald J. Bernard filed a complaint in a Louisiana federal court last month, seeking his portion of the $114 million in fees awarded in 2011. He points to his relationship with the class representative and work on the litigation.
Maryland attorney general supports lead-paint-victim legislation
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (Legal Newsline) — Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh has taken action to defend lead-paint victims by testifying before the House Judiciary Committee in support of legislation meant to safeguard these victims.
Texas receives support from three states in lawsuit opposing portions of Obamacare
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that three more states have joined his office’s lawsuit against the Obamacare rule that mandates states pay taxes on Medicaid managed care organizations.
Michigan woman accuses Time of selling subscriber information
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) - A Michigan woman is suing Time Inc., alleging it sells subscriber information to data miners without subscribers' consent.
Christie appoints Lougy as New Jersey's acting attorney general
TRENTON, New Jersey (Legal Newsline) —New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has appointed Robert Lougy as acting state attorney general.
Residents allege Florida utility companies' nuclear projects provide no benefits
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) - Two Florida residents are suing the state's two largest utility companies, alleging their ratepayers pay inflated rates on nuclear projects that provide no benefits.