News from April 2017
Fifth Circuit clarifies four-year statute of limitation rule for home equity loans
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – A four-year statute of limitations was the key factor in a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in an appeal concerning a home equity loan.
Consumer alleges PhD Fitness' supplements falsely advertised evidence backing ingredients
AIKEN, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against PhD Fitness LLC, citing alleged fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
Princeton trustees aim to prevent disclosure of sensitive information
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — A university's trustees are suing the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR), citing alleged violation of federal law.
Jelly Belly eater files lawsuit over nutrition claims
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California woman has filed a class action lawsuit against Jelly Belly Candy Company and Does 1-25, alleging fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and product liability.
EEOC targets Mine Rite, alleges veteran subjected to hostile work environment
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a lawsuit March 31 against Mine Rite Technologies LLC for allegations of subjecting a veteran to a hostile work environment based on his disability.
Massachusetts bans digital ad company from geofencing reproductive health facilities
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced April 4 that Copley Advertising LLC, a digital advertising company, has been banned from using mobile geofencing technology to target women entering reproductive health facilities.
Justice Department orders Danone to divest Stonyfield Farms before completing WhiteWave deal
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 3 that Danone S.A. must divest its Stonyfield Farms business in order to complete a $12.5 billion acquisition of the WhiteWave Foods Company Inc.
New Jersey announces charges against insurance agent for alleged fraud, money laundering
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor (OIFP) announced charges April 5 against a local insurance agent, Arthur Sinuk, for alleged insurance fraud, money laundering and theft by deception.
New York joins coalition urging Congress to support CFPB's Final Rule on prepaid cards
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced April 5 that he has joined a coalition of attorneys general in urging Congress to oppose three resolutions that could strike down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Final Rule regarding prepaid cards.
Jeweler Zale allegedly violated ADA, to pay $30,000 penalty
GREENVILLE, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced April 4 that Zale Delaware Inc., doing business as Piercing Pagoda, will pay $30,000 after allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
EPA to delay implementation of Risk Management Program amendments
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 31 that Administrator Scott Pruitt has signed a proposed rule that will further delay the EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) Amendments. This decision allows the EPA to have more time in completing the amendment process.
Hawaii joins coalition urging Congress to oppose Trump's proposed EPA budget cuts
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) — Hawaii Attorney General Doug Chin announced March 31 that he has joined a coalition of attorneys general in sending a letter to the U. S. House and Senate Appropriations committees. In the letter, the coalition expressed opposition to legislative and budgetary measures that would reduce the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) funding.
California urges EPA not to withdraw information collection request for oil companies' methane emissions
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 3 that he has joined eight attorneys general in sending a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt.
Miami pizza chain settles federal immigrant-hiring complaint
Pizzerias LLC, a pizza restaurant franchisee with 31 locations in Miami, has agreed to settle allegations related to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and pay a $140,000 civil penalty, the U.S. Justice Department announced.
Stores to pay $540,000 in soldier fraud case
Freedom Stores Inc. and Freedom Acceptance Corp. will pay $540,000 over allegations of fraudulently charging hundreds of New York service members who purchased their goods, New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said.
Appeals court backs Texas' stay of EPA power plant rule
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has lauded a ruling made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which leaves intact Texas’ stay of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Regional Haze Rule.
Ninth Circuit rules in favor of shipping company in arbitration case
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has ruled for a shipping company in a lawsuit brought by a former employee.
Connecticut high court gives mixed ruling in common law duty of loyalty case
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – The Connecticut Supreme Court recently upheld in part and reversed in part the judgment of a trial court in a lawsuit that involved an employee secretly working for a competitor of his employer.
Court dismisses class action against loan servicing company over property inspections
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the dismissal of a class action lawsuit last month. The lawsuit questioned fees given during property inspections after the plaintiffs in the case had defaulted on their mortgages.
N.Y. environmental agency sues over alleged toxic release
A New York state environmental agency is suing a former dry cleaner and related parties over an alleged violation of federal law relating to a hazardous substance release.