News from 2016
Chipotle lawsuits could lead to 'greater scrutiny' of companies' GMO claims
SAN FRANCISCO — Another lawsuit filed against Chipotle over its decision to keep away from genetically modified ingredients could trigger more complaints against other companies making similar claims.
Ralph Lauren sales price suit points to questions about pricing deception
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline)—Claims that Ralph Lauren offered “phantom markdowns” on its products are in line with what consumer advocates have said they found with other stores using sale prices to potentially mislead customers.
Go Paks suit latest in consumer pushback over packaging
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)—A class-action lawsuit against food and beverage company Mondelez International claiming some of its packaging contains non-functional slack fill is just the latest example of customers suing over what they see as deceptive marketing, a consumer advocate says.
CMS file could help whistleblowers target skilled nursing facilities
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – Potential whistleblowers now have a Public Use File full of data on Medicare claims and payments involving skilled nursing facilities to consider for future cases, attorneys in that field say.
Courts rule against lawyers' block-billing practice
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) —In a ruling that could affect lawyers nationwide, a federal appeals court recently denied an appeal involving block-billing, a common billing practice in many law firms that includes lumping together many small tasks into a single block.
Certification would lead to settling of class actions over Parmesan, ATRA says
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Illinois resident Yvonne Averhart was one of many who filed a class action lawsuit against SuperValu Inc. last month, alleging that the company represents that its grated Parmesan cheese product is composed of 100 percent cheese when it actually consists of a mixture of cheese and non-cheese filler substance derived from wood chips.
Watch those market definitions in antitrust claims after Second Circuit decision, attorney advises
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Plaintiffs in antitrust lawsuits need to be even more mindful than ever of their case's geographic market after a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit decision dismissed a Sherman Act complaint, an antitrust attorney said in a recent interview.
Arkansas AG requests CFPB to hold meeting about recent proposed federal rule changes
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced that she has asked Richard Cordray, the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to hold a conference of states to discuss the ideas in the March 26 outline of potential new standards and limitations on credit lines, installment loans, deposit advances, automobile-title secured loans and payday loans.
EPA to propose increases in renewable fuel volume requirements
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it proposed increases in renewable fuel volume requirements for all different types of biofuels that fall under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program.
Delaware seeks civil penalties from business owner Da Zhong Wang
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) – The Delaware Department of Justice is suing Da Zhong Wang of Smyrna for allegedly using massage parlors in the state as fronts for prostitution.
EPA releases draft of water discharge permit for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a draft water discharge permit for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Mass.
Home Depot, Lowe's settle in separate cases over lawn fertilizer
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that the state has reached separate settlements with Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Home Centers LLC after allegations of violating a 2010 state law enacted to reduce water pollution.
Diamond Staffing to pay $7,900 to resolve allegations of pregnancy discrimination
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Diamond Staffing agreed to pay $7,900 to resolve allegations of pregnancy discrimination, New Jersey Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy and the Division of Civil Rights announced.
Suit filed against Guild Mortgage for alleged violations of False Claims Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Justice Department announced that the United States is suing Guild Mortgage in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for allegedly violating the False Claims Act by improperly originating and underwriting mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA).
2 customers accuse Fay, American Modern, Southwest Business of kickbacks
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - Two women are suing a residential mortgage loan servicer, an insurance company and a privately held financial services company, alleging the defendants unjustly profit from borrowers.
Pension manager alleges HCP, ManorCare misled investors
TOLEDO, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - A firefighter pension assets manager is suing a real estate investment trust, a nursing home operator, and several of their executive officers, alleging they misled investors.
Michigan residents allege Money Recovery collects illegal fees
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Legal Newsline) - Two Michigan residents are suing a debt servicer, alleging it unlawfully collects additional fees.
Federal judge approves Blue Buffalo’s $32 million settlement of false advertising class actions
According to reports, more than 100,000 customers filed claims before an April deadline. They argued in their lawsuits that the company’s pet food products were not consistent with its “True Blue Promise.”
Sen. Thune: TCPA 'showing its age'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The chair of a U.S. Senate committee said at a Wednesday hearing that a federal telemarketing law passed 25 years ago doesn’t appear to be aging well.
California lawmaker to testify before House subcommittee on bill seeking to curb ADA lawsuit abuse
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – U.S. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), who is sponsoring the ACCESS (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services) Act, is
testifying before the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Constitution and
Civil Justice today on behalf of the bill he says will help stop plaintiffs’ lawyers
from “trying to enrich themselves on the backs of the disabled.”