News from 2016
BlueLinx to pay $265,000 to resolve allegations of violating SEC whistleblower laws
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — BlueLinx Holdings Inc. will pay a $265,000 penalty to resolve allegations of violating securities laws, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced.
EEOC targets Cushman & Wakefield for allegedly violating federal disability laws
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against Cushman & Wakefield, charging the company with allegations of violating federal disability laws. The company allegedly fired an employee seeking reasonable accommodation to deal with her breast cancer.
Amtrak to pay $112,000 to resolve allegations of violating federal disability laws
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced the Washington, D.C.-based National Passenger Railroad Corporation, better known as Amtrak, will pay $112,000 after allegations of violating federal disability laws.
Emergency physicians organization fights for fair payment from insurance companies
An emergency physicians’ organization is taking aim at a ruling that decides how much insurance companies compensate emergency physicians for their services.
Attorney: Michigan ruling over unprofessional conduct a plus for school districts
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) – A recent Michigan Supreme Court decision that broadens the immunity schools in the state enjoy after reports of unprofessional conduct likely will defer future lawsuits against educational districts, an attorney says.
Investor accuses pharmaceutical company, officers of negligent misrepresentation
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — An investor his suing a pharmaceutical company and its officers, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Calif. federal court rejects settlement in class action over company’s homeopathic products
The rejected settlement purported to require Similasan to make label changes and maintain a website concerning homeopathic “dilution principles.” No unnamed class members would have received any compensation under the rejected agreement, and class attorneys would have been awarded more than $500,000.
Investor accuses biopharmaceutical company, officers of fraud
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — A Massachusetts investor is suing a biopharmaceutical company and its officers, alleging false and misleading statements regarding the company's worth.
Plumbing business to pay more than $27,000 after allegedly violating Georgia law
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Aames Heating and Plumbing Inc., which does business as the Pink Plumber, and its owner Geoffrey Gillon entered an Assurance of Voluntary Compliance after allegations of violating the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens has announced.
FCC announces settlement with AT&T over 'cramming' allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) has announced a settlement with AT&T Services to resolve allegations the company “crammed” unauthorized third-party charges on consumers’ wireless telephone bills.
Consumer accuses food manufacturer of deceptive business practices
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A New York consumer is suing a food manufacturer, alleging deceptive and misleading business practices with its salad dressing products.
Southtowne enters Assurance of Voluntary Compliance after lemon law buyback allegations
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens has announced Southtowne Motors of Newnan Inc., doing business as Southtowne Chevrolet Buick GMC, Southtowne Motors, Inc., doing business as Southtowne Hyundai Riverdale, and Southtowne Motors of Newnan II, Inc., doing business as Southtowne Hyundai of Newnan (together “Southtowne”) entered Assurances of Voluntary Compliance after allegations of improper disclosure practices.
New York attorney general reports progress by companies accused of deceptive marketing
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Six of seven companies that were sent cease and desist letters for alleged deceptive “Zika-preventative” marketing have reformed their advertising practices, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
EZContactsUSA to pay $100,000 after alleged data breach potentially exposed consumer information
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Provision Supply LLC – doing business as ZcontactsUSA.com – will pay a $100,000 penalty and strengthen its data security practices after allegations of a data breach, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.
HSBC to pay $434,500 to resolve allegations of violating Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — HSBC Finance Corporation, successor to HSBC Auto Finance Inc., will pay $434,500 after allegations of violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), the Justice Department has announced.
FTC targets 1-800 Contacts for allegedly anticompetitive agreements with competitors
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a lawsuit against 1-800 Contacts, charging the online retailer of contact lenses with allegations of unlawfully orchestrating and maintaining a web of anticompetitive agreements with rival companies.
Barclays to pay $93.35 million after allegedly manipulating benchmark recession interest rates
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen has announced Barclays Bank PLC and Barclays Capital Inc. will pay $93.35 million in restitution to government and nonprofit entities after alleged manipulation of benchmark interest rates during the financial crisis.
Exxon Mobile subsidiary to $300,000 penalty for alleged toxic waste discharges
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane has announced that her office has reached an agreement with XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Exxon Mobile Corp., after allegations the company illegally discharged toxic waste from a Marcellus shale gas site.
DOJ appealing FCA loss to AseraCare after unusual trial
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) will appeal three orders in a lawsuit against a hospice chain that allegedly submitted fraudulent claims on the eligibility of patients needing hospice care.
Plaintiffs lose fight against Massachusetts utility
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) -- The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court on July 29 decided to reverse a Superior Court order that granted class certifications for two classes of residential and business customers of the defendant, Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company.