News from 2016
Consumers allege Uncle Ben's package sizes deliberately misleading
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California man and a New York state woman are suing a rice products company, alleging its packaging is misleading.
United States intervenes in case against Prime Healthcare Services
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice announced that the United States intervened in a case against Prime Healthcare Services Inc.; the company’s founder and chief executive office, Dr. Prem Reddy; and 14 Prime hospitals in California.
New Jersey Division of Affairs gives Notices of Violation to 51 contractors
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced that it issued Notices of Violation to 51 contractors in the first quarter of 2016, which could lead to $844,477 in consumer restitution and civil penalties.
New York AG takes action against Domino's for allegedly underpaying employees
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) - New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced that his office has taken action against Domino’s Pizza Inc., Domino’s Pizza LLC and Domino’s Pizza Franchising LLC (collectively, Domino’s), suing the chain for allegedly underpaying workers at least $565,000 at 10 stores in New York.
West Virginia AG asks EPA to stop spending tax dollars on halted Power Plan
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced that, along with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, he drafted a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asking it to stop spending federal tax dollars on the halted Power Plan.
Two West Virginia business owners charged with evading paying taxes
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – Acting Assistant Attorney General Caroline D. Ciraolo of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Carol A. Casto for the Southern District of West Virginia announced that two West Virginia business owners have been indicted by a federal grand jury for alleged federal employment tax violations.
California Attorney General takes action against Johnson & Johnson
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris announced that her office has taken action against Johnson & Johnson (J&J), suing the company for alleged false advertising and deceptive marketing of its surgical mesh products for women.
Stockholder alleges insider dealings in plan to purchase Fresh Market
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) – A stockholder is suing Fresh Market, alleging violations of the Securities Exchange Act.
Pension plan alleges Target inflated stock price
A pension plan is suing Target Corporation, alleging violations of Federal Securities law related to the retailer's failed attempt to enter the Canadian market.
Parents allege Academy of Art University exploits residential students
The parents of a deceased college student are suing the school their daughter attended, alleging violations of the California False Advertising Law and the California Unfair Competition Law.
Investor seeks class action status in allegedly fraudulent real estate deal
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – An investor in a real estate purchase is suing Raymond James, alleging a fraudulent investment scheme that caused at least $71 million in damages to himself and a group of investors.
Attorney: Arbitration provision could help shield companies from N.J. lawsuits
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — Another class action lawsuit has been filed that claims a company violated New Jersey's Truth-in-Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act (TCCWNA), but there are ways for companies to protect themselves from such litigation, an attorney says.
CEO of startup says texting lawsuit 'meritless'
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A New Jersey-based online event and ticketing company is contending a class-action lawsuit filed against it May 12 is without merit.
New OT rules will lead to more lawsuits in the short-term, former DOL administrator says
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – As the largely bipartisan debate continues over the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) newly announced overtime rules that will benefit millions of employees, the early winners will be attorneys, a former DOL official said in a recent interview.
CFPB using email between management in lawsuit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is pointing to a cartoon featuring a man using a gun that was sent in an email as it pursues litigation against two businesses.
Judge dismisses FCA claim against hospice provider; DOJ likely to appeal
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — After meandering through the legal system and attracting a lot of attention, a lawsuit alleging a national chain of hospice providers made false Medicare claims has been dismissed.
Boston plaintiffs attorney targets startup companies in class actions
Shannon Liss-Riordan of Lichten & Liss-Riordan PC has filed at least five class action lawsuits against various start-ups, including Lyft and Grubhub, since January 2015.
American Casing & Equipment Inc. to pay $250,000 after allegations of discrimination
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that American Casing & Equipment Inc. will pay $250,000 after allegations it committed race and national origin discrimination and retaliation.
FTC, Florida AG take action against alleged student loan debt relief schemes
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that, in association with the State of Florida, it has taken action against Consumer Assistance Project and Student Aid Center for allegedly running fake student loan debt relief schemes.
FTC announces settlement with Viatek Consumer Products Group
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Viatek Consumer Products Group Inc. and company owner and President Lou Lentine will settle after allegations of false claims about Viatek-brand Mosquito Shield Bands.