News from 2016
FTC finalizes amendments to Used Car Rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Nov. 10 that it has made final amendments to its Used Car Rule.
FTC seeks public comments on proposed changes to Contact Lens Rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Nov. 10 that is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to the Contact Lens Rule, in addition to a multitude of other issues related to the rule.
Pennsylvania attorney general targets defunct Danville furniture store for alleged deception
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer announced a lawsuit Oct. 19 against Rudy’s Mart, a defunct Danville furniture store, and owner Patricia Robinson for allegations of accepting payment for furniture never delivered.
EPA alleges Behr Iron and Metal releases harmful lead into air
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Nov. 9 that it issued a notice of violation to Behr Iron and Metal of Rockford, Illinois, for allegedly exceeding the health-based standards that limit air emissions of lead.
NFL agrees to multistate deal resolving antitrust allegations against price floor policy
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The National Football League (NFL) has agreed to resolve antitrust concerns about its league-wide mandatory price floor policy, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Nov. 15.
Adobe Systems pays penalty, agrees to update security measures after alleged data breach
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — Adobe Systems Inc. has agreed to resolve claims related to a 2013 data breach, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced Nov. 11.
Justice Department alleges immigration violations against two Washington state companies
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Justice Department announced a lawsuit Nov. 14 against two Washington state-based companies, Washington Potato Company and Pasco Processing LLC, alleging violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Massachusetts attorney general backs Labor Department's Persuader Rule interpretation
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Oct. 13 she has led a group of attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of the U,S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) revised interpretation of the Persuader Rule, a longstanding provision of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA).
Pennsylvania to pay $26,000 penalty, agrees to strengthen compliance with EPA standards
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Oct. 18 the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PADOT) will pay $26,066 after allegations of underground storage tank violations in Brownsville and Franklin, where the facilities stored diesel fuel.
Facebook advertising algorithm error triggers class action lawsuit
MENLO PARK, Calif (Legal Newsline) -- One month after Facebook announced a video metric error caused artificial inflation for the last two years, a putative class action lawsuit was filed against the company.
Calif. judge reads Maserati manual, rules for company over keyless entry
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) -- A plaintiff has alleged Maserati’s passive entry system was unsafe because it did not work when his child was locked in the car, but the U.S. District Court of the Central District of California has granted the manufacturer summary judgment.
Tom's of Maine/Colgate-Palmolive faces legal trouble for all-natural product claims
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Tom's of Maine - an all-natural-ingredients subsidiary of Colgate-Palmolive that focuses on personal care products such as deodorants, toothpastes and soaps - says it plans to defend itself against a class action lawsuit that claims its products aren't all natural.
Sanctions placed on Safeway for inadequate search during discovery
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - In a certified class action lawsuit last month, Safeway Inc. was saddled with sanctions totaling nearly $700,000 for presenting discovery sans guidance and failing to identify responsive files produced as evidence.
Ninth Circuit doesn't order pay for employees' time spent calling in
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - A recently decided case that involved California employers revisited a question of whether employers are responsible for paying employees who are asked to “call in” to see if they need to come to work.
Texas federal judge issues nationwide permanent injunction against U.S. Department of Labor’s ‘persuader rule’
The persuader rule, or Persuader Advice Exemption Rule, was meant to effectively eliminate the “advice exemption” under the Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure Act, or LMRDA. Basically, LMRDA requires employers to report each time they engage a consultant to persuade employees on how to use their collective bargaining rights.
EEOC slaps M&T Bank with disability discrimination lawsuit
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) - M&T Bank faces a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of the company’s former employee.
California federal judge dismisses Dallas asbestos firm’s lawsuit against John Crane Inc.
Judge Consuelo B. Marshall for the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, in an order last week, said the plaintiffs, Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett PC, failed to file an amended complaint.
Pharmaceutical wholesale group says accreditation policy will ‘irreparably damage’ the nation’s prescription drug delivery system
The Association of Independent Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Inc. filed its complaint against a pharmacy benefit manager and the federal government in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia earlier this month. It contends the Verified-Accredited-Wholesale Distributor policy violates various state and federal laws.
Woman withdraws class action over GanadenBC products
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California woman quickly dismissed her class action lawsuit against the makers of digestive health products, alleging false advertising.
Stockholders accuse Allstate of violating federal law
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Stockholders from a Michigan city are suing Allstate and its officers, alleging violation of federal law.