News from 2016
FTC announces ban on debt collection scheme that allegedly duped consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that Jared Irby, Richard Hughes, Coastal Acquisitions LLC, and PSC Administrative LLC have been banned from the debt collection business after allegations of falsely promising to resolve consumers’ payday loans through their hardship program.
Georgia federal judge rips plaintiffs attorneys in vaginal mesh MDL, says he’s tired of baseless lawsuits
Chief Judge Clay D. Land of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia warned attorneys they will face sanctions if they don’t better evaluate their cases before proceeding.
Goodman Company pays $5.55 million to settle allegations of Consumer Product Safety Act violations
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The Justice Department has announced a settlement with Goodman Company LP in which the company will pay $5.55 million to settle allegations of breaking Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) rules.
U.S. government accuses planting systems manufacturers of violating Clayton Act
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. government is suing planting systems manufacturers, alleging a proposed acquisition is illegal.
CFPB fines Wells Fargo $100 million after alleged illegal practices
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced a $100 million fine against Wells Fargo.
Justice Department targets Vanguard Healthcare's alleged False Claims Act violations
NASHVILLE, Tenn (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice has announced a False Claims Act case against Vanguard Healthcare LLC and others.
Katz Boutique pays $1.175 million over 'Kush' allegations
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Katz Boutique and owner Bao Quoc Nguyen will pay $1.175 million after allegations of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and a Texas nuisance law, state Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced.
Funding agreement still hasn’t been released in proposed class action over gas explosion
The plaintiff in a proposed class action brought against oil giant Chevron Corp. over a gas explosion off the coast of Nigeria has yet to reveal the identity of his third-party funder. Last month, Judge Susan Illston ordered the plaintiff, a Nigerian fisherman, to meet and confer in person regarding the agreement and related documents.
Third party litigation grows: Silicon Valley’s Thiel bankrolls new startup
Legalist's business model may cause persons who might not otherwise be able to afford to litigate to enter or stay in the litigation system. Morris Ratner, a professor of law and associate dean at the University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco.
Fifth Circuit refuses to abandon precedent, side with NLRB over individual arbitration agreements
Soon after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s ruling, the Ninth Circuit went the other way, instead siding with the NLRB’s approach and ruling that individual arbitration waiver agreements are unenforceable under federal law. Other cases raising the same issue currently are pending before the Second, Third, Fourth, Sixth, Eleventh and D.C. Circuits.
Massachusetts continues actions against student lending industry, settles with Libre Technology
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced a settlement with Libre Technology Inc. for allegations of charging Massachusetts borrowers unlawful upfront fees, among other charges. The settlement comes as part of Healey’s ongoing effort to curb student lending industry abuses.
Shareholder accuses Canadian corporation of fraud, deceit
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A shareholder is suing a Canadian corporation and executives, alleging material misrepresentations and omissions.
Rhode Island attorney general OKs affiliation between Westerly Hospital, Yale-New Haven
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin has announced the approval of the proposed affiliation between LMW Healthcare (Westerly Hospital) and Yale-New Haven Health Services Corporation.
EPA completes federally implemented clean air plan in Arkansas
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the completion of a process for a federally implemented clean air plan in Arkansas.
RBC Capital Markets owes $2.5 million after allegations of false statements
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — RBC Capital Markets LLC will pay $2.5 million after allegations of false and misleading statements during a valuation analysis, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has announced.
George Mason pays $20,964 to resolve allegations related to Fairfax fuel discharge
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a $20,964 settlement with George Mason University, resolving allegations related to fuel oil discharge at a storage facility in Fairfax, Virginia.
Julep Beauty to pay $3 million after deceptive marketing allegations
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Julep Beauty Inc. and its owner Jane Park will pay $3 million after allegations of deceptive “negative option” marketing tactics, said Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson.
Rhode Island targets gasoline manufactures for alleged role in MTBE problems
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) have announced a lawsuit against gasoline manufacturers in order to recover expenses associated with the cleanup of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE).
FTC announces order to shut down alleged mortgage relief scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a mortgage relief operation and its companies will be banned from the mortgage loan modification and debt relief business.
EPA requires New York City to improve its sewer backup issues
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an administrative order to New York City, mandating that it draft a plan to address continued sewer backups into residents’ basements and other public and private property.