News from October 2016
Justice Department accuses Oregon woman of tax fraud scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced the decision to sue an Oregon woman over an alleged tax fraud scheme.
California consumer accuses UPS of unjust enrichment
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A California man is suing United Parcel Service, alleging fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.
Alere merger with Abbott Labs lands in federal court
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) -- In a class-action complaint filed in a Massachusetts federal court, shareholders allege Alere, Inc., a global diagnostic device and service provider, violated several laws in a proposed merger with Abbott Laboratories, a global health care company.
Oregon consumer accuses pillow business of fraud
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) — An Oregon woman is suing a Minnesota pillow business, alleging fraud.
District court tosses all 13 counts in rare data breach case against grocery store
BENTON, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – A District Court for the Southern District of Illinois has tossed all 13 counts in data breach case against a grocery store, noting the plaintiffs were too general in their allegations.
6 former students accuse DeVry University of fraud
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Six former students are suing DeVry education institutions, alleging misleading advertising and marketing practices.
FTC, Justice Department issue guidance for HR professionals on antitrust laws
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) along with the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division issued guidance last week for human resource (HR) professionals and other employees involved in compensation and hiring decisions.
California attorney general seeks help in locating violators of CalOPPA
SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) -- California Attorney General Kamala Harris is asking members of the public to help locate companies that violate the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA).
State AGs ask U.S. SC to review lawyer payout in class action settlement
The original dispute involved allegations of consumer fraud over gym membership contracts with fitness club company Global Fitness Holdings LLC. In particular, plaintiffs alleged that between 2006 and 2012, the company sold memberships and incorrectly charged fees pertaining to cancellation, facility maintenance and personal-training contracts.
Poll shows consumers against patchwork of state data breach laws
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Democrats, Republicans and Independents don't agree much on which direction the country should go in these days, but one thing they have in common is support for a single national standard for data breach notification.
Hillary-supporting trial lawyer says she's up for 'dream job' at Clinton White House
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) - Last week, at the largest gathering of mass torts plaintiffs attorneys in the nation, prominent Dallas attorney Lisa Blue Baron announced she is interviewing for her “dream job” at the White House as a member of a panel that would help vet federal judges.
Utah couple accuse Paypal, hotel management of negligent representation
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A Utah husband and wife are suing Paypal and a hotel business, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Nevada consumer accuses SunRun of FCRA violations
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A Nevada woman is suing a California company, alleging the defendant accessed the plaintiff's confidential information without consent.
NECC owes $225,000 after allegedly overbilling MassHealth, state Medicaid system
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey recently announced ADH Seller LLC (formerly New England Adult Day Health, LLC) doing business as New England Community Care LLC (NECC) will pay more than $200,000 after allegations of inappropriately billing the state’s Medicaid (MassHealth) for services not provided.
Cigna to drop MAT pre-authorization form; New York cites benefits for opioid disorder patients
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Global health insurer Cigna has agreed to end its policy of requiring prior authorization for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced last week.
Missouri McDonald's to pay $56,000 after allegedly refusing to interview deaf applicant
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced last week that McDonald’s Corporation and McDonald’s Restaurants of Missouri will pay $56,500 after allegations of refusing to interview a deaf job applicant at its restaurant in Belton because of his deafness.
EEOC settles with Embraer for $205 million after corrupt practices allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced a settlement this week with the U.S. Department of Justice and Brazilian authorities that requires Embraer SA, an aircraft manufacturer, to pay $205 million for Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) violation allegations.
For-profit school network owes $4.3 million after settling alleged tax evasion case
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, acting tax commissioner Nonie Manion and Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced last week that a group of defendants operating a for-profit school will pay $4.3 million after allegations of overcharging the state for certain services and failing to pay millions in personal and corporate income tax.
Life Care to pay $145 million in largest False Claims Act case with skilled nursing facility
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S Department of Justice announced this week Life Care Centers of America Inc. (Life Care) and owner Forrest L. Preston will pay $145 million after allegations of False Claims Act violations.
EEOC accuses Salvation Army of disability discrimination
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit last week against the Salvation Army, the global charitable organization, for allegations of refusing to hire a young man with an intellectual disability for an entry-level job.