News from September 2016
Massachusetts continues actions against student lending industry, settles with Libre Technology
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced a settlement with Libre Technology Inc. for allegations of charging Massachusetts borrowers unlawful upfront fees, among other charges. The settlement comes as part of Healey’s ongoing effort to curb student lending industry abuses.
Shareholder accuses Canadian corporation of fraud, deceit
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A shareholder is suing a Canadian corporation and executives, alleging material misrepresentations and omissions.
Rhode Island attorney general OKs affiliation between Westerly Hospital, Yale-New Haven
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin has announced the approval of the proposed affiliation between LMW Healthcare (Westerly Hospital) and Yale-New Haven Health Services Corporation.
EPA completes federally implemented clean air plan in Arkansas
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the completion of a process for a federally implemented clean air plan in Arkansas.
RBC Capital Markets owes $2.5 million after allegations of false statements
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — RBC Capital Markets LLC will pay $2.5 million after allegations of false and misleading statements during a valuation analysis, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced.
George Mason pays $20,964 to resolve allegations related to Fairfax fuel discharge
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $20,964 settlement with George Mason University, resolving allegations related to fuel oil discharge at a storage facility in Fairfax, Virginia.
Julep Beauty to pay $3 million after deceptive marketing allegations
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Julep Beauty Inc. and its owner Jane Park will pay $3 million after allegations of deceptive “negative option” marketing tactics, said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
Rhode Island targets gasoline manufactures for alleged role in MTBE problems
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) have announced a lawsuit against gasoline manufacturers in order to recover expenses associated with the cleanup of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).
FTC announces order to shut down alleged mortgage relief scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a mortgage relief operation and its companies will be banned from the mortgage loan modification and debt relief business.
EPA requires New York City to improve its sewer backup issues
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an administrative order to New York City, mandating that it draft a plan to address continued sewer backups into residents’ basements and other public and private property.
FTC approves American Air Liquide application to divest assets
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved an application from American Air Liquide Holdings Inc. following a public comment period.
SEC charges attorney with fraud, alleging he bilked pro athletes out of millions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Donald Watkins and his companies have been charged with defrauding professional athletes and other investors out of millions, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced.
Conn. decision reinstating employee not a 'free pass' to smoke pot on the job
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – Firing a pot-smoking employee is not as cut-and-dry as it may seem, at least in Connecticut.
Led Zeppelin loses battle for recovery of attorney fees in 'Stairway to Heaven' suit
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Rock group Led Zeppelin was turned down in court for recovery of its attorney fees in its much publicized “Stairway to Heaven” copyright infringement case.
Attorney: Scathing criticism of new ABA harassment and discrimination rule ill-founded
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – The American Bar Association (ABA) expanded its Model Rules of Professional Responsibility regarding professional misconduct at its annual meeting in San Francisco in early August.
Consumer accuses pet food distributor of false marketing, labeling
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — A consumer is suing a pet foods distributor, alleging unfair or deceptive business practices.
Company says New York firm’s lawsuit over malpractice allegations ‘retaliatory’
Luv N’ Care Ltd., headquartered in Louisiana and one of the leading baby product companies in the world, plans to file a response to Goldberg Cohen LLP’s lawsuit against it later this month. The company says its malpractice lawsuit, filed last year and dismissed last month, had nothing to do with fees.
King's Way Baptist Church pays $25,000 to resolve employee discrimination allegations
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that The King's Way Baptist Church Inc., an independent Baptist church in Douglasville, Georgia that operates the King's Way Christian School, will pay $25,000 after allegations of employment discrimination.
EEOC says poultry farm's attendance policy prevents hiring of disabled individuals
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against a poultry farm for allegedly violating the American with Disabilities Act (ADA).
EEOC alleges Motel 6 guilty of discrimination against pregnant employee
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against G6 Hospitality, which does business as Motel 6, for allegations of placing a pregnant employee on leave solely due to her pregnancy.