News from September 2016
SEC announces fraud charges in case involving illegal stock sales for marijuana business
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced fraud charges against William J. Sears, Scott M. Dittman and Cliffe R. Bodden for their alleged scheme involving illegal stock sales and false financial filings of a company that makes containers for growing marijuana.
Security giant Guardsmark to pay $115,000 after discrimination allegations
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that security giant Guardsmark will pay $115,000 after allegations of retaliation discrimination.
Consumer accuses Hewlett Packard of false advertising
SAN DIEGO — A California consumer is suing Hewlett Packard, alleging misleading and false advertising.
Customer accuses Apple of misleading advertising
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A New York City man is suing Apple Inc., alleging misleading marketing practices and unjust enrichment.
EEOC targets Laquila for alleged racial harassment
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against New York excavation and construction company Laquila for allegations of racial harassment.
EEOC announces $81,500 settlement with Mayflower Seafood after sexual harassment allegations
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that Mayflower Seafood in Goldsboro, N.C., will pay $81,500 after allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation.
Western Sky's arbitration clause ruled unenforceable
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – An arbitration clause in a payday loan contract came under scrutiny recently when a banking institution appealed a previous court’s ruling that found the provision unenforceable because it required parties to arbitrate in an unavailable forum.
Battle over sale of historic Berkeley main post office sale heads to court
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) -- The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Aug. 22, asserting the city of Berkeley illegally interfered with the sale of its historic main office and property in the city center.
Patient alleges health management company unlawfully filed fraudulent liens
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Legal Newsline) — A Texas man is suing a health care management company, alleging unlawful filing of fraudulent liens.
Court keeps motion in place to ban E-Racer Tech from doing business in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced a decision by the Fourth District Court of Appeals that keeps in place Bondi’s motion to enjoin E-Racer Tech LLC and owner James N. Veser from doing business in Florida and freezing assets.
iPhone owners accuse Apple of concealing material design defect
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Three iPhone owners are suing Apple, alleging unfair, deceptive and/or fraudulent business practices.
Baltimore celebrates adult drug treatment court graduation
Participants, family members, and friends gathered at the Circuit Court for Baltimore City on September 16 to celebrate a graduation ceremony held by the Adult Drug Treatment Court program.
Members of Congress want safe harbor provision in CFPB’s final arbitration rule
The federal lawmakers, in a letter sent to the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau earlier this month, urged the bureau to consider including a provision in the final rule that allows financial companies to retain class action waivers in their arbitration clauses. Under the CFPB’s current proposal, companies would be prohibited from putting mandatory arbitration clauses in new contracts.
FTC delivers final order in case involving Teva's acquisition of Allergan
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced, following a public comment period, it approved a final order in the Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. case.
Renna Optical in New York to pay $24,000 for allegedly violating Medicaid billing rules
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York state Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced a settlement agreement with John Renna, who does business as Renna Optical, after allegations he caused Medicaid to pay for eyewear in violation of Medicaid billing rules.
EEOC alleges casino violated federal disability discrimination laws
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against M.G. Oil Company, operators of Happy Jack’s Casino in South Dakota, for allegations for disability discrimination.
Oregon, Oracle agree to settlement in health care exchange case
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) — Oregon Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum has announced the state of Oregon, Oracle America Inc. and Oracle reseller Mythics Inc. have agreed to a settlement in the Oregon health care exchange case.
EEOC targets MedStar Harbor Hospital for allegations of disability discrimination
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against MedStar Harbor Hospital for allegations of disability discrimination.
Self-proclaimed 'stock trading whiz kid' to pay nearly $1.5 million to resolve fraud allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced Manuel E. Jesus and his newsletter company Wealthpire Inc. will pay close to $1.5 million after allegations of defrauding subscribers through false statements and misrepresentations.
FTC, Justice Department urge U.S. Court of Appeals not to hear Texas Medical Board plea
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice recently joined forces in an amicus brief that urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to dismiss a Texas Medical Board appeal.