News from 2016
Washington state attorney general asks court to hold political operative in contempt
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson has asked a court judge to hold Tim Eyman and his political committees in contempt for their alleged failure to meet court-ordered deadlines in disclosing documents to the AGO. He further seeks a $2,000 penalty for every day Eyman continues to fail to meet that deadline.
State Street Bank & Trust owes at least $382.4 million
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz for the District of Massachusetts, director Andrew J. Ceresney of the Division of Enforcement for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez have announced that State Street Bank and Trust Company will pay $382.4 million after allegations it deceived clients when giving indirect foreign currency exchange (FX) services.
Department of Labor facing lawsuits over new fiduciary regulations
FORT WORTH, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Labor (DOL) is facing several lawsuits after it was alleged that the organization had overstepped its rule-making authority when it issued new regulations in April.
Seventh Circuit took strong position in Wisconsin wrongful termination case, labor attorney says
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Employers concerned over how to accommodate — or even whether to accommodate — an employee's mental disability that disrupts the workplace received guidance from a U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit decision in July, a labor and employment attorney says.
Office Depot hits Delaware with lawsuit over unclaimed property law, auditing process
The office supply retailer and a Virginia-based gift card issuer sued state officials in Delaware federal court last month. The plaintiff companies claim the state’s unclaimed property law, or escheat law, is unconstitutional.
Labor board finds T-Mobile in violation of requiring positive workplace
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The National Labor Relations Board has found that a mobile phone company has violated the National Labor Relations Act by expecting employees to maintain a positive work environment.
Ninth Circuit upholds ban on mobile ads in Los Angeles, other Calif. cities
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A federal appeals court has upheld ordinances enacted by cities in California, banning mobile billboards in their cities.
Two consumers accuse food manufacturer of deceptive practices
WASHINGTON — Two consumers are suing a food manufacturer, alleging unlawful and deceptive practices.
CFPB outlines possible proposals to overhaul debt collection market
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently outlined a set of proposals it is considering as part of a plan to overhaul the debt collection market — capping collector contact attempts and helping ensure companies collect the correct debt.
FAIR Plan to pay $350,000 after allegations of impermissibly canceling homeowners insurance policies
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced that the Massachusetts Property Insurance Underwriting Association (FAIR Plan) will pay $350,000 after allegations of impermissibly canceling homeowners insurance policies between January 2010 and February 2014.
DOJ announces $17 million settlement with Lexington Medical Center
The Department of Justice announced that the Lexington County Health Services District Inc., which does business as Lexington Medical Center, will pay $17 million after allegations it violated the Physician Self-Referral Law (The Stark Law) and the False Claims Act.
EEOC sues Sealed Air Corporation for alleged sex discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit against Sealed Air Cor., a protective packaging business, for allegations of violating federal law through sex discrimination.
EEOC takes action against Nabor Industries and C&J Energy for alleged racial harassment
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced lawsuits against Nabor Industries Ltd. and C&J Energy, two Bermuda-based companies in the oilfield services industry, for allegations of widespread racial harassment directed toward African-American employees.
Class action takes aim at United Airlines’ checked baggage policy
The class plaintiff, a Hawaii resident, argues that the airline’s policy, which allegedly maximizes “unaccompanied suitcases” on its passenger flights, puts profits over safety.
Consumer accuses Credence Resource Management of telephone harassment
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Los Angeles County woman has filed a class-action suit against a debt collector over allegations of harassing behavior.
Snapchat users file class action alleging it stores users' biometrics without consent
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Two Illinois Snapchat users have filed a suit against the application over allegations that it stores information that made them susceptible to identify theft.
Telebrands accused of manufacturing defective Pocket Hoses
NEW JERSEY (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers have filed a suit against a water hose manufacturer over allegations that the hoses are defective.
Company sued over alleged single ‘junk’ fax wants question of relief offer to be heard by First Circuit
Cayan LLC d/b/a Capital Bankcard filed its renewed motion for certification of an interlocutory appeal and stay of proceedings with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts last month. The defendant served plaintiff South Orange Chiropractic Center LLC an offer of judgment under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68, as well as a settlement offer, in December 2015 -- months after the New Jersey-based chiropractor filed its putative class action.
Pokémon Nope: Try not to catch the first lawsuit over the app, attorney says
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The time is fast coming when all those attempts to "catch' em all" in Pokémon Go lands someone in litigation, a Washington, D.C.-based labor and employment attorney said during a recent interview.
Second Circuit reverses approval of $7.25 billion settlement with Visa and Mastercard
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) —The largest antitrust class action settlement in history was recently put to a halt by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.