News from 2016
Justice Department accuses government contractors of False Claims Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced a lawsuit against Derish M. Wolff and Salvatore J. Pepe, respectively the former CEO and CFO of Louis Berger Group Inc. (LBG), for alleged violations of the False Claims Act.
Jacintoport, Seaboard to pay $1.075 million after allegedly violating False Claims Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Jacintoport International LLC and Seaboard Marine Ltd. will pay $1.075 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act, the Department of Justice has announced. The allegations relate to a warehouse and logistics contract for the storage and re-delivery of humanitarian food aid.
Washington attorney general opposes Tesoro Savage Vancouver Energy Distribution Terminal project
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson ha announced his Counsel for the Environment will oppose the proposed crude oil terminal in Vancouver.
FTC releases opinion, final order in LabMD case involving alleged security issues
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced an opinion and final order reversing an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) initial decision that dismissed FTC charges against LabMD Inc. The reversal means LabMD’s data security practices were allegedly unreasonable and constitute an unfair act violating the FTC Act.
Justice Department may block health insurance mergers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Competition between private insurance and Medicare Advantage programs is one impact from the potential mergers of major health insurance companies.
Massive talc verdicts in St. Louis lead to windfall of clients for Beasley Allen
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) - Seventeen thousand individuals contacted a law firm in the weeks after the family of a Alabama woman was awarded $72 million by a jury, one that found Johnson and Johnson hid information linking ovarian cancer to talcum powder.
Sixth Circuit: Tendering funds to class action plaintiff still doesn’t moot case
The federal appeals court was forced to take up a question the U.S. Supreme Court declined to answer in Campbell-Ewald Co. v. Gomez.
EEOC OKs deal with ADP after allegations of racial discrimination
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced ADP LLC, a leading payroll processing and human resources management outsourcing provider, will settle allegations of discriminating against black and Hispanic individuals.
Utica schools to adopt new policies after allegedly denying enrollment to immigrants
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The Utica City School District has settled a case involving allegations it denied enrollment to immigrant and refugee students above the age of 16, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
EPA: GHG emissions from aircraft engines harm environment
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced its final determination that, under the Clean Air Act, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from certain types of aircraft engines contribute to the pollution that causes climate change and endangers the environment and the health of U.S. citizens.
Sunshine Pride Dairy settles allegations of environmental violations with $179,074 penalty
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — Sunshine Pride Dairy Inc. will pay $179,074 in penalties to settle alleged federal environmental violations at its former cheese processing facility in Winchester, Virginia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced.
FTC proposal calls for Mylan to divest rights to generic drugs to complete acquisition of Meda
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission has announced an order requiring Mylan to divest the rights to two generic drugs, for muscle spasms and for epilepsy, in order to complete its acquisition of Swedish drug maker Meda. The order resolves complaints that the $7.2 billion acquisition would be anti-competitive.
FTC: Teva to divest 79 products to complete new pharmaceutical acquisition
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced Teva Pharmaceuticals Ltd. will sell the rights and assets to 79 pharmaceutical products to settle FTC charges related to its proposed acquisition of Allergan PLC's generic pharmaceutical business.
Georgia SC: Class action over SunTrust’s overdraft fees can continue
Two lower courts previously agreed with SunTrust that the class action lawsuit wasn’t possible because the plaintiff couldn’t opt out on behalf of others. The Atlanta bank claims its arbitration rejection clause is drafted in such a manner as to make it impossible for a class representative to act on behalf of class members.
Washington state urges U.S. court not to block federal guidelines regarding transgender people
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced he will lead a coalition of states urging a U.S. District Court not to block the federal government’s ability to protect the civil rights of transgender people.
Zipcar to settle allegations of charging consumers illegal damage fees
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Zipcar Inc. has agreed to settle a case involving allegations of charging New York consumers illegal damage fees for rental vehicles, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
FCC to fine AT&T $106,425 for alleged federal law violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans to fine AT&T $106,425 for allegedly charging two Florida school districts some of the highest telecommunications rates in the state, which is a violation of federal law and the FCC’s “lowest corresponding price” rule.
Consumer accuses insurance provider of privacy violations
LOS ANGELES — A Los Angels man is suing an insurance provider, alleging the defendant's constant phone calls invaded his privacy.
Massachusetts attorney general urges U.S. to forgive student loans for alleged ACI victims
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced a formal application to the U.S. Department of Education, urging immediate cancellation of student loans for those allegedly victimized by the American Career Institute (ACI), a former for-profit school that closed in 2013.
Cemex to invest $10 million to cut alleged emissions of air pollutants
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Cemex Inc. will invest roughly $10 million to cut alleged emissions of harmful air pollutants at five cement manufacturing plants, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced.