News from October 2016
Employee accuses Samsung, LG of violating Sherman Act
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A California man is suing Samsung, LG and related companies, alleging unfair competition and violation of state and federal law in deliberately keeping salaries low.
Consumer group accuses egg distributor of deceptive representation
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — A Minnesota consumer group is suing egg distributors, alleging false and misleading representations.
New York joins coalition suing EPA to force action on ozone petition
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, through a coalition of five states, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to force the agency to take action on a petition that seeks to ensure upwind states control the pollution that blows into New York and other downwind states.
JeeTops manufacturer accuses Dow Chemical of intentional misrepresentation
GREEN BAY, Wis. (Legal Newsline) — The manufacturer of Jeetops is suing Dow Chemical, alleging alleging intentional misrepresentation.
Florida attorney general activated state's price gouging hotline during Hurricane Matthew
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Leading up to Hurricane Matthew, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi activated Florida’s price gouging hotline. This came after Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency in all Florida counties in preparation for the storm.
New York targets North Bergen Beverage for alleged Bottle Bill violations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against North Bergen Beverage and its owner and operator, Steven Arillo, for allegedly violating the New York Returnable Container Act, also known as the Bottle Bill.
New York attorney general accuses contractor of consumer scams
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has filed a lawsuit against Phillip Fox, a Western New York home improvement contractor who allegedly scammed dozens of consumers.
Colorado announces settlement with AAAA TEVA after alleged deceptive practices
DENVER (Legal Newsline) —Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman has announced County Line Vacuum & Appliance, which does business as AAAA Television Electronics Vacuum & Appliance (AAAA TEVA), along with owner Muhammed Murib and sales manager Omar Murib, will be banned from performing electronics repairs after allegations of taking advantage of consumers.
New Hampshire attorney general warns consumers about potential IRS scams
CONCORD, N.H. (Legal Newsline) — New Hampshire Attorney General Joseph A. Foster recently released a statement warning consumers about potential IRS scams happening over the phone throughout the state.
RBS Securities to pay $120 million settlement related to financial crisis
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and state Department of Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez have announced a settlement with RBS Securities Inc. The company will pay $120 million after alleged problems with its underwriting of residential mortgage-backed securities.
Washington D.C. attorney general warns consumers of potential DMV-related 'phishing' scams
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Washington D.C. Attorney General Karl A. Racine has announced, according to the District’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), that D.C. residents are being targeted by an alleged “phishing” scam.
Clifton Taxi to pay $42,000 after allegedly violating New Jersey discrimination law
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — Clifton Taxi and Limousine Inc. will pay $42,000 after allegations of ignoring a deaf woman’s attempts to hire a cab using a telecommunications relay service, New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino has announced.
CFPB's class action ban likely to be challenged in court after finalized
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) -- The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has proposed a set of rules that would prohibit arbitration clauses designed to prevent class-action lawsuits on behalf of consumers.
Lead plaintiff tasked with choosing lead counsel in LendingClub class action
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A judge has ordered that attorneys hoping to be named lead counsel in a class action case against LendingClub must submit an application - but the lead plaintiff still chose its own attorneys.
Maryland Judiciary enhances language support with new multilingual online portals
The Maryland Judiciary has introduced new online portals to enhance access to court resources for individuals with limited English proficiency.
Customer accuses Subaru of selling defective vehicle
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — A Massachusetts woman is suing Subaru, alleging the defendant sold her a defective vehicle.
Attorney fees in class-action suit upheld by California Supreme Court
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) -- The California Supreme Court has upheld the attorney fees awarded in an employment class action lawsuit, stating the award was not unreasonable because it is calculated as a percentage of the common fund instead of using a lodestar calculation.
Texas attorney general intervenes in Austin case involving short-term rental ordinance
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently intervened in a lawsuit against the City of Austin that deals with its allegedly onerous short-term rental ordinance.
Physicians' Specialty Hospital to pay $35,000 to settle allegations of disability discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Physicians’ Specialty Hospital, a physician-owned hospital in Fayetteville, will pay $35,000 after allegations of disability discrimination.
Philips Lighting of North America pays $56,000 after allegations of retaliation discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced Philips Lighting will pay $56,000 after allegations of retaliating against a security guard when it realized he was the grandson of a former employee who had filed a discrimination lawsuit against the company.