News from October 2016
Allegations of improper fees at housing around Penn State settled
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Hendricks Investments and its owner Rodney Hendricks have settled allegations of charging improper administrative fees and fines to tenants, many of whom were students at Penn State University, Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer has announced.
FCC announces $450,000 settlement with AT&T in fixed wireless stations case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has announced its Enforcement Bureau has settled for $450,000 with AT&T, resolving allegations that AT&T operated fixed wireless stations without authorization or without filing required license modification notices.
Anheuser-Busch to pay $6 million after allegations of FCPA violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced Anheuser-Busch InBev will pay $6 million after allegations it violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and threatened a whistleblower who reported the misconduct.
Two consumers allege Costco's cans of chickens have too little meat
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Two consumers are suing Costco, alleging misrepresentation, breach of implied warranty, unfair competition and fraud.
FTC approves final order settling collusion charges against Fortiline
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that, following a public comment period, it has approved a final order settling charges that Fortiline LLC illegally invited a competitor to collude on prices.
Vibra Healthcare to pay $32.7 million after allegedly billing Medicare for unnecessary services
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced Vibra Healthcare LLC (Vibra), a national hospital chain with headquarters in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, will pay $32.7 million after allegations it violated the False Claims Act by billing Medicare for unnecessary services.
Texas attorney general accuses Brownsville of illegal sales tax
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced this week that his office has filed a lawsuit against the city of Brownsville for an alleged illegal sales taxes.
Former Tuomey Healthcare System CEO to pay $1 million for role in alleged Stark Law violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced Ralph J. Cox III, former CEO of Tuomey Healthcare System in South Carolina, will pay $1 million for his alleged involvement in a Medicare and Medicaid scheme.
FTC to return $20 million to consumers victimized by alleged One Technologies scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it will return close to $20 million to more than 145,000 consumers around the U.S. who were allegedly victimized by One Technologies LP and its two partner companies.
SEC settles with UBS for $15 million after allegations of failing to properly train employees
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced UBS Financial Services will pay $15 million after allegations of failing to adequately educate and train its sales force about its financial products.
Consumer board alleges Prime Marketing Holdings illegally charged consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has announced that it took action against Prime Marketing Holdings LLC, a credit repair company, suing for allegations the company charged consumers illegal advance fees.
EPA drafts two rules aimed at reducing HFC emissions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized two rules designed to reduce the projected growth and emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
California consumer alleges Edutrek violated phone privacy laws
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California man is suing telemarketers, alleging violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Florida consumer accuses Hormel of false advertising
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — A Florida consumer is suing Hormel, alleging negligent misrepresentation, false advertising, breach of express warranties and unjust enrichment.
Breach disclosure, class actions could affect Yahoo's price
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - When Yahoo opened up about what could be one of the largest cyber attacks to date, it might have reopened what had been a done deal with a prospective buyer.
Time Warner benefiting from Spokeo decision in Wis. federal court
MILWAUKEE (Legal Newsline) – A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting a consumer’s ability to sue a company’s mishandling of personal information is protecting companies like Time Warner from class action lawsuits.
Lawsuit over Banana Boat Kids sunscreen alleges fraud
CAMDEN, N.J. (Legal Newsline) –
Though marketed as having the highest Sun Protection Factor (SPF) as the law
allows, Banana Boat Kids SPF 50's sun shielding properties fall well short of
that maximum, a class action lawsuit alleges.
Whirlpool responds to class action lawsuit over allegedly malfunctioning ovens
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — Whirlpool has responded to a California couple's suit that accuses the company of knowingly selling malfunctioning self-cleaning ovens to consumers.
University of Denver says EEOC wrong to bring gender discrimination lawsuit
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – The University of Denver is defending itself after
allegations of discrimination against female professors were levied by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Deadlines pushed back in $30 million Wells Fargo settlement to avoid additional costs
The settlement, reached over alleged violations of the federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act, was preliminarily approved by Judge Richard Story of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia in August.