News from 2016
Ninth Circuit: Individual arbitration waiver agreements are unenforceable
The federal appeals court vacated a California federal court’s order compelling individual arbitration in a class action filed against audit firm Ernst & Young by its employees.
New Jersey consumer accuses Shinola of false advertising
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A New Jersey woman is suing a watch company, alleging false advertising over where the watches were made.
Maryland Court of Appeals completes case rulings for third consecutive year
For the third consecutive year, the Maryland Court of Appeals has successfully issued rulings in all cases heard during its term.
Filing TCPA lawsuits: 'It's what I do,' professional plaintiff with 35 cell phones says
The plaintiff bought at least 35 different pre-paid cell phones in order to manufacture lawsuits over supposedly unwanted calls from companies. A Pennsylvania federal judge ruled the woman didn’t suffer any injuries and therefore lacked standing.
Justice Department targets loan providers that allegedly discriminated against Hispanic homeowners
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — The Justice Department has announced a lawsuit against a multitude of mortgage loan modification service providers, alleging violations of the federal Fair Housing Act and Equal Credit Opportunity Act.
Justice Department accuses Georgia of discriminating against students with disabilities
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The Justice Department has announced a lawsuit against the state of Georgia, alleging disability discrimination in the way the state treats students with disabilities in the Georgia Network for Education and therapeutic Support (GNETS) Program.
Consumer accuses natural food manufacturer of misleading business practices
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A Nassau County woman is suing a nutritional food manufacturer, alleging deceptive and misleading business practices and unjust enrichment.
SEC announces penalties for 13 investment advisory firms that allegedly spread false claims
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced penalties for 13 investment advisory firms that allegedly violated securities laws. These companies purportedly spread the false claims made by F-Squared Investments about its flagship product, AlphaSector.
U.S. DOL argues new fiduciary rule will have ‘enormous’ benefits for investors
The Department of Labor, in a lawsuit brought by a group of trade associations in June, contends its conflicts of interest rule, despite the cost, better serves investors and aligns with other federal retirement laws. The department is asking a Texas federal court to rule in its favor.
FTC announces permanent ban for New York debt collector
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that Kelly S. Brace and his four companies have been banned from the debt collection business after a settlement with the agency and the attorney general of New York.
New York consumer accuses food company of false advertising
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A New York consumer is suing a food company, alleging negligent misrepresentation and unfair competition.
Customer accuses retail store of false advertising
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — An El Dorado County woman is suing a retail store, alleging false advertising of shoes.
ON to divest Ignition IGBT business to complete merger with Fairchild
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that ON Semiconductor Corporation will sell its Ignition IGBT business after allegations its proposed $2.4 billion acquisition of Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc. would be anticompetitive.
EEOC charges Profile Cabinet and Designs with race discrimination
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against QWP Holdings LLC, doing business as Profile Cabinet and Design, for allegations of discriminating against two black employees because of their race.
N.J. SC to take on TCCWNA class actions
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - The New Jersey Supreme Court is aiming to reconcile opposing lower court decisions regarding certification of class action lawsuits brought under the state's Truth in Consumer Contract, Warranty and Notice Act (TCCWNA) and Consumer Fraud Act.
Fired Wis. employee not a whistleblower; Decision part of circuit split
MILWAUKEE (Legal Newsline) – A recent Wisconsin decision attempting to determine who is a whistleblower under the Dodd-Frank anti-retaliation protection provision is part of a growing split among circuits, a New York attorney says.
EEOC targets Legendary Baking for disability discrimination allegations
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced a lawsuit against American Blue Ribbons Holding LLC, doing business as Legendary Baking, for allegations of violating federal disability discrimination laws.
CFPB releases 'fix it form' to help student loan servicers improve level of service
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Student Loan Omsbudman has released a report about consumer complaints of servicing problems that make it difficult to lower their payments in relation to their income.
HealthNow to pay members it allegedly wrongfully denied claims
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — HealthNow, New York Inc. will pay many of its members after allegations of wrongfully denying thousands of claims for outpatient psychotherapy and more than 100 claims for nutritional counseling for eating disorders. The alleged wrongful denials totaled more than $1.6 million in patient claims.
Three Papa John's owners in New York City to pay $500,000 for alleged wage law violations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — Sultan Ali Lakhani, Moregrace LLC and Thegrace Inc., owners of three Papa John’s Pizza franchise stores in Manhattan and the Bronx, will pay $500,000 after allegations of violating minimum wage and overtime laws, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman has announced.