News from 2016
Group tracking 61 federal class actions over alleged fictitious pricing
CALABASAS, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Fictitious pricing lawsuits, like the
one filed recently against Harbor Freight Tools USA by a class of customers
“appear to be trending,” according to TruthinAdvertising.org executive director Bonnie Patten.
Second Circuit declines Visa, MasterCard antitrust settlement
The federal appeals court rejected the deal reached between the credit card issuers, various banks and plaintiff merchants. The class, in its lawsuit, took issue with the fees that merchants, and ultimately consumers, pay on all credit and debit card transactions. The Second Circuit, in its June 30 opinion, said the plaintiffs were “inadequately represented” in violation of Rule 23(a)(4) and the Due Process Clause.
DOJ announces settlement with En Pointe Gov. and associated businesses
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The Department of Justice announced that En Pointe Gov. Inc., En Pointe Technologies Inc., En Pointe Technologies Sales Inc., Dominguez East Holdings LLC and Din Global Corp., all of Gardena, California, will pay $5.8 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act.
Chemet OKs agreement with Justice Department, EPA to examine East Helena plant
DENVER (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a settlement with American Chemet Corp. (Chemet) that will allow the organizations to look into hazardous substance contamination at the company’s plant within the East Helena, Montana, Superfund site. The agreement will go before public comment for 30 days.
Bronx consumer accuses Sun Products of negligent misrepresentation
NEW YORK — A Bronx consumer is suing Sun Products alleging, violation of the deceptive and unfair trade practices act.
CFPB, Justice Department target BancorpSouth for discrimination allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have announced the filing of a complaint against BancorpSouth Bank, alleging the company violated the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) and the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against African- Americans and other minority consumers.
Contractor banned from working in New Jersey, ordered to pay $1.1 million
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — The office of acting New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino has announced a Superior Court judge has banned Leroy N. Brown, an unregistered home improvement contractor, from working on homes in New Jersey. Brown also has been ordered to pay $1.1 million after allegedly violating the state’s consumer protection laws and regulations on at least 410 occasions.
FTC drops complaint against Cabell Huntington Hospital, St. Mary's Medical Center
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it will dismiss its complaint against Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center after it had alleged their proposed merger violated U.S. antitrust laws.
Pharmaceuticals Inc. to pay $100,000 after distributing contaminated products allegations
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced a settlement with Pharmaceuticals Inc., based in Newark, after allegations the company distributed ultrasound gel contaminated with bacteria.
Justice Department announces permanent injunction against BEK Catering
MOBILE, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama has delivered a permanent injunction against BEK Catering LLC, doing business as Floppers Foods LLC, to prevent the distribution of allegedly adulterated and misbranded seafood products.
FCC settles for $2.4 million with GCI after 911 service outage allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has announced its Enforcement Bureau has reached a $2.4 million settlement with General Communications Inc. (GCI) that resolves allegations of five 911 service outages occurring on the company's wireless network in Alaska over the last eight years.
New York attorney general takes steps to combat tenant harassment
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced his office plans to take action against tenant harassment and other housing issues facing New Yorkers.
MV Transportation to pay Virginia, Maryland, D.C. after false billing allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Attorneys General Karl A. Racine, Mark R. Herring and Brian E. Frosh have announced the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland and the federal government have settled with MV Transportation after allegations of false billing.
IARC reverses itself on link between coffee and cancer
After decades fending off negative health claims made against coffee, the industry was vindicated last month when a controversial cancer research group changed its mind about classifying America’s favorite caffeine beverage as a possible carcinogen.
RCH Colorado to pay $250,000 to settle allegations of age and sex discrimination
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that RCH Colorado has agreed to pay $250,000 after allegations of age and sex discrimination.
EEOC takes action against Mathews Management Co. over ADA violation allegations
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a lawsuit against a McDonald’s restaurant owned and operated by Mathews Management Co. and Peach Orchard Inc. in Bentonville, Arkansas, for allegations of firing an employee due to his HIV-positive status.
EEOC alleges Bojangles created hostile work environment for transgender employee
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit against Bojangles Restaurants Inc. for allegations of subjecting a transgender employee to a hostile work environment because of her gender identity.
FTC settles with marketers of Elimidrol after allegations of deceptive advertising
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that it has settled with the marketers of Elimidrol, a powdered drink mix that supposedly enables opiate-addicted consumers to overcome addiction and withdrawal.
J&R Baker Farms resolves allegations of discrimination with $205,000 settlement
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that J&R Baker Farms of Norman Park, Georgia will pay $205,000 after allegations of national origin and race discrimination.
Calif. federal judge grants U.S. DOJ’s motion to dismiss FedEx case; government still mum on reasons for abrupt end to litigation
The Memphis-based global courier maintained its innocence since being indicted by the Justice Department in 2014, refusing to settle. The government, which alleged FedEx transported illegal prescription drugs, decided to drop the case less than a week after a bench trial began last month.