News from September 2016
EPA announces settlement to help clean up Ward Transformer Superfund site in Raleigh
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a settlement with 173 parties to clean areas around the Ward Transformer Superfund site in Raleigh, North Carolina.
California attorney general praises governor for signing OpenJustice Data Act
California Attorney General Kamala Harris recently commented on Assembly Bill 2524, the OpenJustice Data Act of 2016, which was introduced by state Assembly member Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, and sponsored by Harris. Harris praised California Gov. Jerry Brown for signing the bill into law.
Sixth Circuit sides with plaintiffs in data breach class actions, says it would be ‘unreasonable’ for customers to wait for misuse
Mohammad Galaria and Anthony Hancox brought their class actions, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, respectively, after hackers breached Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company’s computer network in October 2012 and stole their personal information, along with more than 1 million others.
Tim Eyman, company reimburse Washington attorney general, allowing campaign finance case to continue
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that Tim Eyman and his for-profit company have reimbursed the attorney general’s office $10,000.
Louisiana AG cancels outside legal contracts in case involving drywall damages
BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) – Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has cancelled the outside legal contracts related to the State of Louisiana, ex rel. James D. (“Buddy”) Caldwell v. Knauf Gips KG et al. lawsuit.
Texas settles with 21 convenience stores that allegedly sold contact lenses without prescriptions
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – The Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced settlements with 21 convenience and dollar stores in the San Antonio area that allegedly violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Texas Optometry Act by selling contact lenses without requiring a prescription upon purchase.
Montana and ExxonMobil reach settlement in case related to 2011 oil spill
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) – Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, Attorney General Tim Fox, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Interior have announced a proposed $12 million settlement with ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. after a Yellowstone River oil spill in 2011.
Whole Foods to pay $3.5 million over alleged hazardous waste violations
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) – Whole Foods Inc. will pay $3.5 million and promote hazardous waste compliance after allegations of improperly identifying or mishandling hazardous waste at company facilities in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Calif. cities' pollution claims against Monsanto dismissed, but amended complaint filed
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) -- A federal court recently dismissed claims three cities brought against Monsanto, claiming the seed giant was polluting the San Francisco Bay with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB).
Attorney says Eighth Circuit's decision in data collection case not surprising
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) -- The recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to apply Spokeo to reject the standing of a privacy case isn’t surprising, a Phoenix lawyer says.
Eighth Circuit cites Spokeo ruling in dismissing class action against cable company
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit this month affirmed a federal district court’s ruling, holding that the plaintiff’s allegation was, on its own, insufficient to establish Article III standing. Pointing to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Spokeo v. Robins, the panel said the plaintiff, a former Charter Communications customer, did not allege an injury in fact as required by Article III.
California consumer accuses Sirius XM Radio of breach of contract
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A California man is suing Sirius XM Radio Inc., alleging breach of express and implied contract and unfair competition.
Woman files class action against Samsung after dropping phone in toilet
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California woman is suing Samsung, alleging fraud, false advertising and unjust enrichment.
Stockholder accuses Utah corporation of violating federal law
SALT LAKE CITY (Legal Newsline) — A stockholder is suing a Utah corporation, alleging negligent misrepresentation and violation of federal law.
San Diego consumer accuses marketing agency of violating TCPA
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — A San Diego County man is suing a marketing agency, alleging abuse of telephone technology.
California couple accuse Whirlpool of product liability
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California couple are suing Whirlpool, alleging it sold defective products to consumers.
California consumer accuses GetVisibleWeb.com of unlawful solicitation
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California man is suing website platform owners, alleging violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Lawyers at odds over Restatement of Law covering liability insurance
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Insurance and business defense attorneys are sparring with the drafters of a powerful legal document that will influence the outcome of insurance liability cases.
California consumer accuses Internet company of false advertising
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California woman is suing an Internet company, alleging fraud and false advertising.
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.