News from May 2016
EEOC accuses Mobile Destination Inc. of disability discrimination
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has announced a lawsuit against Mobile Destination Inc., a mobile phone retailer and operator of 30 Verizon Wireless stores in Texas, alleging the company unlawfully revoked a worker’s job offer due to a disability.
Department of Labor targets Kesco Southeast Inc.
ROME, Ga. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor announced it has filed a lawsuit against Kesco Southeast Inc., a company specializing in rock drilling and blasting, to recover retirement plan assets of 19 former employees.
2 New York residents allege United Water, GDF Suez defraud consumers
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Two New York residents are suing a utility company and its subsidiary, alleging they deceived and defrauded consumers.
New Jersey Civil Justice Institute concerned about consumer lawsuit spike
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A civil justice reform organization in New Jersey continues to be concerned about an increase in the number of lawsuits filed under a New Jersey business conduct law.
After ruling, Office Depot and Staples abandon merger
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A judge's Tuesday ruling on the Federal Trade Commission's request for an injunction halted a proposed $6.3 billion Office Depot and Staples merger.
Florida firefighters pension fund alleges Express Scripts misled investors
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - A Florida firefighters pension fund is suing an independent pharmacy benefit manager and several of its chief officers, alleging they misled investors.
Oakland-based advocacy group takes interest in Dish Network suit over Spanish-speaking customers
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – An Oakland, Calif.-based nonprofit legal service and advocacy group is helping to represent an Alameda County man suing Dish Network over claims it deceives Spanish-speaking customers.
Attorney: New Jersey Tort Claims Act ruling muddles things for government contractors
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey appeals court ruling has blurred the line between private and public for government contractors who find themselves named in lawsuits, a business litigation attorney said during a recent interview.
Advertising groups call for more time to weigh in on proposed FCC rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A coalition of advertising industry groups is asking the Federal Communications Commission for more time to consider and comment on a proposed broadband privacy rule.
U.S. PTO issues next round of examination guidance on subject matter eligibility
The Patent and Trademark Office has published guidance for patent examiners four times now since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International in 2014. The decision provided very little to no legal guidance to lower courts on how to decide if a computer-generated technology, in particular, is patentable.
FCC announces $100,000 settlement with inContact over long-distance call allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced inContact Inc., a Utah-based company that provides long-distance call services, will pay $100,000 to resolve allegations it failed to complete long distance telephone calls to a consumer in Minnesota.
Illinois woman alleges Nature's Way, Schwabe misrepresent supplements
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - An Illinois woman is suing the makers of vitamin supplements over allegations they misrepresent certain products.
U.S. targets North Carolina for alleged discrimination against transgender people
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — U. S. Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has announced the Justice Department has filed a complaint against the state of North Carolina, the University of North Carolina (UNC) and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS), alleging the defendants are discriminating against transgender individuals.
FTC to compensate consumers victimized by alleged illegal telemarketing scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it will mail 1,630 checks worth a total of $1.87 million to consumers victimized by an alleged illegal telemarketing operation run by Expense Management America.
California customer alleges 24 Hour Fitness raised rates illegally
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A California customer is suing a fitness center, alleging it raised rates that were supposedly fixed.
Illinois man alleges Uber Technologies sent spam texts
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - An Illinois man is suing Uber, alleging it sends spam text messages.
Investor alleges Ruby Tuesday violated federal securities laws
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - An investor is suing Ruby Tuesday and two of its chief officers, alleging they misled investors.
Woman dropping lawsuit over gluten-free surcharges at P.F. Chang's
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The restaurant industry seemingly will not face a ruling sought by a woman with celiac disease who claimed she was discriminated against when she was charged extra for gluten-free items at P.F. Chang’s.
U.S. House committee to hold hearing on CFPB’s proposed arbitration rules ‘soon’
The House Financial Services Committee has launched an investigation into the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed regulation of pre-dispute arbitration agreements, requesting various information from the bureau.
Global Horizons resolves harassment charges with $7.6 million settlement
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Global Horizons Inc., a farm labor contractor, will pay $7,658,500 to resolve an alleged pattern of subjecting Thai farm workers in Washington to a hostile work environment, harassment and discrimination.