News from March 2016
LA Investors ordered to pay more than $3.6 million for alleged consumer scam
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced LA Investors LLC has been ordered to pay more than $3.6 million by a Thurston County judge after allegations it scammed new Washington property owners into buying overpriced deeds.
Washington state attorney general challenges PacifiCorp's proposed rate hike
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Public Counsel Unit is challenging PacifiCorp’s proposed $20 million electricity rate increase over the next two years.
Omron to pay $4.55 million regarding rigged auto parts sales allegations
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice has announced Omron Automotive Electronics Co. Ltd agreed to a $4.55 million fine for allegedly conspiring to rig bids on power window switches in Honda Civics sold to U.S. consumers.
U.S. SC ruling a narrow victory for employee class in Tyson Foods case
The court majority rejected the company’s argument that class certification was improper, but left the issue of whether the $2.9 million verdict can stand to be resolved by the lower courts.
AG Frosh files complaint over Johnson & Johnson price policy
BALTIMORE — By negotiating a price agreement with distributors, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh argues that Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., violates state antitrust law, according to a civil complaint filed by the AG.
Chicago political candidate hit with robocall class action
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — An Illinois resident has filed a class action lawsuit against a Greater Chicago political candidate, claiming automated calls from the candidate’s campaign to the plaintiff’s and other’s cell phones caused actual damages in the form of invasion of privacy and cell phone charges.
Former NIU punter sues NCAA over scholarship, transfer rules
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — A former football player for Northern Illinois University is suing the NCAA, claiming the rules capping scholarships and governing transfers violate antitrust laws.
Ninth Circuit revives 'natural' claims; Prof says courts left without government guidance
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Without clear rules governing the use of the word “natural” on food product labels, consumers have turned to litigation to fill the gap, leading to hundreds of lawsuits accusing food and beverage companies of deceptive or misleading practices.
Spokesman, attorney say lawsuit over Coors Light without merit
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — A MillerCoors spokesman says a class action lawsuit alleging its Coors brand beer deceptively uses the Rocky Mountains in its advertising is "baseless."
EEOC and Windings Inc. settle for $19,500 in case of alleged race discrimination
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has settled with Minnesota-based Windings Inc. for $19,500, resolving a race discrimination lawsuit.
Company looking to build wireless tower sues Ga. county over ‘impossible’ permit condition
Municipal Communications LLC, in its lawsuit filed in a Georgia federal court last week, argues that a condition imposed by Cobb County and its Board of Commissioners, requiring the tower to be moved 300 feet to the east of its original, proposed location, is “unjustified” and doesn’t make sense. The company wants an injunction directing the county to remove the condition.
Fifth Circuit: Rehabilitation Act allows discrimination suits against independent government contractors
In a case involving a San Antonio plaintiff, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that employees can sue independent government contractors for discrimination under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Mars uses different approach as Nestle, but also wins dismissal of forced labor lawsuit
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Candy maker Mars Inc. is not required to disclose possible supplier violations of forced and child labor law violations on packaging at the point of sale, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California recently ruled.
Defendants in whistleblower cases should be wary of DOJ, attorney says
BANGOR, Maine (Legal Newsline) – Defendants in whistleblower cases face low but worrisome odds of Department of Justice intervention, such as in the Maine case of a roofing contractor who allegedly used non-compliant materials to renovate government buildings, a Minneapolis attorney says.
New York attorney sues state, city election boards over allegedly unconstitutional election law
Evan A. Davis, senior counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP and a recognized authority on New York law, takes issue with the law’s “bizarre” requirement that an independent candidate, such as himself, must include the name and emblem of a nominating body, or given fictitious ones by the State.
Investor alleges magicJack misrepresented financial performance
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - An investor is suing a cloud communications company and two of its executive officers, alleging they misrepresented they company's financial performance to investors.
Ohio man alleges Washington state law firm breached contract
AKRON, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - An Ohio man is suing a state Washington law firm, alleging it breached its contract with him and accused him of fraud.
Customer alleges Macy's, Bloomingdale's engage in price scheming
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A San Diego man is suing Macy's and its subsidiaries, alleging they mislead consumers regarding illusory cost-saving deals.
Suit claims CallerID4U engaged in unlawful telemarketing
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California man is suing a caller ID services provider and its owners over claims they robo-called his cellphone without his consent.
Suit claims Nordstrom, HauteLook misrepresent watches
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California citizen is suing a fashion retailer and its parent company over claims they mislead consumers regarding certain watches they sell.