News from May 2016
Discrimnatory pay accusations against CFPB reflective of trend, group says
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – As the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau faces allegations of unequal pay for its minority employees, a national committee that monitors such cases says the CFPB needs to look hard at its practices before the situation gets worse.
Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse set to reopen after fire damage repairs
The Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr.
Former employees file suit against Seneca Coal Resources after mass layoff
BECKLEY, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) – A West Virginia coal company is being sued after it instituted a sudden mass layoff.
Maryland AG takes action against Access Funding
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced that his office filed a lawsuit against Access Funding LLC and other affiliated companies for allegations of misleading lead paint poisoning victims to convert future structured settlement payments into immediate cash.
EEOC reaches settlement with County of Maui over allegations of age discrimination
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that the County of Maui has agreed to pay $24,000 and provide other relief to resolve allegations of age discrimination filed against the county’s police department.
Oklahoma attorney general files amicus brief supporting TransCanada's federal lawsuit
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) – Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt announced that his state has joined with five other states in filing an amicus brief supporting TransCanada’s federal lawsuit that claims the president overstepped constitutional boundaries in blocking the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
New York attorney general reaches settlement with Kost Tire
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office reached a settlement with Kost Tire Distributors Inc., an upstate automobile service station company, after allegations of breaking New York’s Environmental Conservation Law.
EEOC charges KB Staffing with allegations of ADA violations
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has charged KB Staffing LLC, a central Florida staffing firm, with allegations of making unlawful pre-offer health inquiries of applicants.
Five drivers allege Uber breached contracts
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Five drivers are suing Uber, alleing it breached driver contracts by taking certain fees out of the fares drivers charged riders.
California consumer alleges Vital One, Coventry Healthcare sent unsolicited texts
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A California man is suing two health insurance companies, alleging they texted his cellphone without his consent.
Baltimore's new youth art program aims to connect courts with community
Courting Art Baltimore is set to host its inaugural art contest reception on May 17, 2016, at the Eastside District Court Building in Baltimore.
U.S. files brief in Idaho case regarding criminal defendant's right to attorney
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced it has filed an amicus curiae brief in the Supreme Court of Idaho in Tracy Tucker et al v. state of Idaho, et al.
Rhode Island Senate advances bill aimed at fighting 'patent trolls'
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — The Rhode Island state Senate has unanimously advanced legislation that bars “patent trolls” in the state.
ASCAP to pay $1.75 million to settle allegations of breaking court order
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishes (ASCAP) has agreed to pay $1.75 million and reform certain practices after allegations it violated a court order involving collective licensing, the Department of Justice announced.
Two consumers allege Ascena Retail, Ann Inc. misrepresent sales
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Two women are suing the owners of clothing retail chains, alleging they misrepresented sale prices in their outlet stores.
Two law firms accuse New York lawyers of breach of contract
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - A Delaware- and New York-based law firm is suing another New York law firm and one of its founding partners, over allegations they breached the contract between the two firms while they were working together on a case.
FTC approves final order in case against Vulcan
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved a final order resolving its complaint against Vulcan that had stemmed from allegations the company unfairly deceived consumers of a popular web browser game.
Credit Protection Association settles case involving consumer dispute policies
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced Credit Protection Association (CPA) will pay $72,000 in civil penalties and be required to adopt new procedures after allegations of violating the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
New Jersey couple alleges Intuit's terms, conditions illegal
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Two New Jersey residents are suing a software company that owns the tax filing program Turbo Tax, alleging its terms and conditions contain illegal provisions.
Landis Retirement Community settles over pregnancy, disability discrimination allegations
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Landis Retirement Community and its managing entity, Landis Communities, will settle allegations of federal pregnancy discrimination, disability discrimination and retaliation with a $132,500 payment.