News from 2016
U.S. backs consent decree for 30 Hop Restaurant after allegations of failing to meet ADA standards
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that 30 Hop restaurant and bar in Coralville, Iowa, will enter a proposed consent decree to resolve allegations of violating the new construction requirements of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Attorney: Litigation financing industry finding leads in new ways
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - A new start-up has been using algorithms to search out civil
lawsuits for investment purposes with the expectation of a big payoff. To attorney Robert Sheridan, Legalist is a sign the legal financing industry is getting more sophisticated.
In one state, testimony 'made for litigation'; In another, part of $127M in verdicts
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – How much could rules governing which experts can testify in civil trials matter? In the case of Johnson & Johnson, so far it's possibly $127 million - and likely to grow.
U.S. reaches $30 million deal with NAHC after allegations of False Claims Act violations
The Department of Justice has announced that North American Health Care Inc., along with John Sorenson, chairman of the board, and Margaret Gelvezon, senior vice president of reimbursement analysis, will pay a total of $30 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act.
SEC announces $9.3 million deal with Ernst & Young, resolving auditor independence allegations
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced Ernst & Young, one of the major public accounting firms in the United States, will pay $9.3 million after allegations that two of its audit partners violated SEC impartiality rules because they got too close to its clients.
Syngenta Crop Protection to pay more than $1 million over allegations of FIFRA violations
Syngenta Crop Protection LLC in Greensboro, North Carolina, will pay $766,508 in civil penalties and spend $436,990 to perform a Supplemental Environmental Project after allegations of violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced.
EEOC targets Wynn Las Vegas, alleging disability discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has announced a lawsuit against Wynn Las Vegas LLC for allegations of discriminating against a disabled employee.
Texas, Nevada take on Obama administration over 'overtime rule'
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with Nevada Attorney General Paul Laxalt, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of 21 states, alleging the Obama administration's “overtime rule” is illegal.
Consumers accuse manufacturer of deck resurfacing product of false advertising
Six consumers, in their lawsuit filed in a Georgia federal court, allege breach of express and implied warranties, false advertising and unjust enrichment.
California attorney general joins lawsuit against Indivior, MonoSol Rx for alleged monopoly
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - California Attorney General
Kamala Harris has announced that California, in conjunction with 34 other
states and the District of Columbia, has filed a lawsuit against Indivior, a British
pharmaceutical company, and MonoSol Rx for alleged
antitrust violations.
EPA announces settlement to help clean up Ward Transformer Superfund site in Raleigh
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a settlement with 173 parties to clean areas around the Ward Transformer Superfund site in Raleigh, North Carolina.
California attorney general praises governor for signing OpenJustice Data Act
California Attorney General Kamala Harris recently commented on Assembly Bill 2524, the OpenJustice Data Act of 2016, which was introduced by state Assembly member Jacqui Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks, and sponsored by Harris. Harris praised California Gov. Jerry Brown for signing the bill into law.
Sixth Circuit sides with plaintiffs in data breach class actions, says it would be ‘unreasonable’ for customers to wait for misuse
Mohammad Galaria and Anthony Hancox brought their class actions, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, respectively, after hackers breached Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company’s computer network in October 2012 and stole their personal information, along with more than 1 million others.
Tim Eyman, company reimburse Washington attorney general, allowing campaign finance case to continue
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that Tim Eyman and his for-profit company have reimbursed the attorney general’s office $10,000.
Louisiana AG cancels outside legal contracts in case involving drywall damages
BATON ROUGE, La. (Legal Newsline) – Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has cancelled the outside legal contracts related to the State of Louisiana, ex rel. James D. (“Buddy”) Caldwell v. Knauf Gips KG et al. lawsuit.
Texas settles with 21 convenience stores that allegedly sold contact lenses without prescriptions
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) – The Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced settlements with 21 convenience and dollar stores in the San Antonio area that allegedly violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and the Texas Optometry Act by selling contact lenses without requiring a prescription upon purchase.
Montana and ExxonMobil reach settlement in case related to 2011 oil spill
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) – Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, Attorney General Tim Fox, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Interior have announced a proposed $12 million settlement with ExxonMobil Pipeline Co. after a Yellowstone River oil spill in 2011.
Whole Foods to pay $3.5 million over alleged hazardous waste violations
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) – Whole Foods Inc. will pay $3.5 million and promote hazardous waste compliance after allegations of improperly identifying or mishandling hazardous waste at company facilities in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Calif. cities' pollution claims against Monsanto dismissed, but amended complaint filed
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) -- A federal court recently dismissed claims three cities brought against Monsanto, claiming the seed giant was polluting the San Francisco Bay with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB).
Attorney says Eighth Circuit's decision in data collection case not surprising
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) -- The recent decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit to apply Spokeo to reject the standing of a privacy case isn’t surprising, a Phoenix lawyer says.