News from 2016
Omaha Performing Arts Center to add wheelchair seating at Orpheum Theater
OMAHA (Legal Newsline) — The Omaha Performing Arts Society (OPAS) will settle a case involving allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the Orpheum Theater in Omaha, the Department of Justice has announced. OPAS allegedly failed to ensure that the theater provided access to the disabled after undergoing renovations.
FTC approves final orders against 4 companies that allegedly misrepresented 'all-natural' products
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced it has approved four final consent orders after public comment periods, settling claims against companies for allegedly misrepresenting their products as “all-natural” or “100 percent natural” despite having man-made ingredients.
Det Norske Veritas, Dynamic Risk Assessment to conduct analyses of Enbridge Line 5 pipelines
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, along with the Michigan Agency for Energy, Department of Environmental Quality, and Department of Natural Resources, has announced Det Norske Veritas (U.S.A.) Inc. and Dynamic Risk Assessment Systems Inc. have been chosen to conduct independent risk analysis and alternatives analysis, respectively, for the Enbridge Line 5 pipelines that go below the Straits of Mackinac.
FTC finalizes consent order against Progressive Chevrolet Company
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that, following a public comment period, it has approved a final consent order against Progressive Chevrolet Company and Progressive Motors Inc. of Massillon Ohio.
Evercare to pay $18 million for allegedly violating False Claims Act
DENVER (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced Evercare Hospice and Palliative Care will pay $18 million after False Claims Act violation allegations involving claiming Medicare reimbursement for unnecessary services.
Calif. firm makes name defending FedEx against DOJ's 'epic failure'
Arguedas Cassman & Headley LLP, in Berkeley, California, successfully defended FedEx Corporation against the Department of Justice over charges that the Memphis-based global courier conspired to transport illegal prescription drugs. Last month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office moved to dismiss the indictment.
Attorney: DOJ's pursuit of Post Office's competitors shows hypocrisy of administration
The USPS, which provides similar delivery services as FedEx and UPS, is highly unlikely to be pursued by the U.S. Department of Justice for its possible role in transporting illegal prescription drugs. Legal experts point to the Post Office’s poor financial health and the federal government’s reluctance to enforce rules against themselves.
Maryland expands electronic case filing to Upper Eastern Shore
Beginning July 18, a new case management system will be implemented in courts across Caroline, Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.
Injury Help Network accused of violating TCPA
SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) – A Kern, California resident has filed a class-action lawsuit against a company that handles Social Security disability claims over allegations it called him using an automatic telephone dialing system.
FTC settles case with Invibio for allegations of illegally creating a monopoly
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved a final order, after a public comment period, that settles charges against Invibio for allegations of using long-term exclusive contracts to illegally maintain a monopoly.
FTC settles with debt collectors, companies over alleged illegal debt collection tactics
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that two debt collectors and three companies have been banned from the debt collection business through settlement after allegations of using false threats and other illegal collection tactics.
EEOC files suit against Ramnarain II for allegedly firing employee over religious beliefs
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it has filed a lawsuit against Ramnarain II LLC, an Orlando staffing company serving Central Florida's hospitality industry, over allegations of firing an employee over his Rastafarian religious practices.
PCPC to pay $9,000 in restitution after allegations of deceiving consumers in Idaho
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) – Private Client Payment Corp. (PCPC) has agreed to settle allegations of misleading state businesses, Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. PCPC will pay $9,000 in restitution to business owners who filed complaints.
Solicitor general to comment on biologics case before SCOTUS
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Supreme Court has asked for consideration from Solicitor General Ian Heath Gershengorn in a case involving biologics.
Businesses now face 78% higher penalties for OSHA violations
The maximum penalties for Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations will see a nearly 80 percent rise this summer, after the Federal government decided to bring them up to pace with inflation.
Caterpillar reaches $60 million settlement in class action over alleged engine defects
The plaintiffs argued the engines with the CAT Regeneration System, or CRS, failed, causing the company’s ACERT C13 and C15 on-highway diesel engines to lose horsepower and shut down, requiring Caterpillar-authorized dealer technicians to repair the engines. The plaintiffs alleged they could not effectively do so.
K12 Inc. settles case involving allegations of California false claims violations
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — K12 Inc., a for-profit online charter school operator, and the 14 affiliated non-profit schools known as the California Virtual Academies (CAVA Schools), will settle a case involving allegations of false claims, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has announced.
15 state attorneys general urge Congress to reform federal agency rulemaking process
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — The Office of Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has announced Schmidt has joined 14 other state attorneys general in a letter to Congress, urging it to take action reforming the federal agency rule-making process.
Massachusetts settles with INDYCAR, sues Boston Grand Prix
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — INDYCAR LLC has agreed to provide $925,000 in refunds for advance tickets purchased for the canceled Boston Grand Prix, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced. Healey also noted she filed a lawsuit against Boston Grand Prix LLC (BGP) and CEO John Casey, seeking full refunds for all ticket purchasers.
Delaware to enforce ban on paid online fantasy sports
DOVER, Del. (Legal Newsline) — The Delaware Department of Justice has notified DraftKings Inc., FanDuel Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. that state law disallows their respective online fantasy sports activities. The department asked the organizations to add Delaware to their lists of states in which players are not legally permitted to win monetary prizes.