Legal Newsline

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

News from April 2017

Tennessee SC overturns decision in workers' compensation case after man dies from overdose

By Nicholas Gueguen | Apr 20, 2017

The Tennessee Supreme Court this month decided to overturn a chancery court's decision, instead ruling that workers' compensation could not cover a man's overdose-induced death.

Washington state targets alleged deficient campaign finance filings

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 20, 2017

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson recently announced that his office has filed three separate complaints in Thurston County Superior Court for alleged deficient campaign finance filings.

Horizon NJ Health to pay former employee $80,000 after alleged wrongful termination

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 20, 2017

New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino recently announced that health insurer Horizon NJ Health will pay $80,000 to a former employee after allegations of wrongful termination.

Virginia Social Services allegedly violated False Claims Act, to pay U.S. $7 million

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 20, 2017

The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced that the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will pay the United States $7,150,436 after allegations of violating the False Claims Act while administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Washington state bipartisan student borrowing bill advances through legislature

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 20, 2017

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson recently announced that his bipartisan legislation to provide more transparency to students regarding their borrowing has been advanced by the state’s legislature via a unanimous vote in the Senate.

Wisconsin Health Services to pay nearly $7 million after allegedly violating False Claims Act

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 20, 2017

The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 12 that the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS) will pay the United States $6,991,905 following allegations of violating the False Claims Act while administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Environmental group alleges U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated law

By Mike Torres | Apr 21, 2017

A Florida environmental group is suing the Army Corps of Engineers, alleging violation of federal law.

Massachusetts taxi companies accuse Uber of unfair competition

By Mike Torres | Apr 21, 2017

A group of Massachusetts taxi companies are suing Uber, alleging unfair competition.

New York AG announces $20 million program to repair foreclosure crisis properties

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 21, 2017

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently announced his office has organized a new program that will provide local governments with technology addressing and transforming properties that fell into disrepair during the foreclosure crisis.

Houston manufacturer to pay $150,000 EEOC penalty for alleged religious discrimination

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 21, 2017

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced that U.S. Steel Tubular Products Inc. (USSTP), a subsidiary of United States Steel Corporation, will pay $150,000 after allegations of religious discrimination and retaliation.

Maryland settles Medicaid fraud case with local primary care provider for $450,000

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 21, 2017

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh recently announced that Sabiha Mohiuddin, a Frederick, Md.-based primary care physician, has paid $450,000 to the state after allegations of conducting a fraudulent Medicaid billing scheme to increase profits.

Utah SC upholds denial of Tesla UT to sell new vehicles

By S. Laney Griffo | Apr 21, 2017

The Utah Supreme Court has upheld a decision by the Utah Tax Commission to deny Tesla Motors UT a license to sell new motor vehicles.

Appeals court decides Texas Tech promotion case won't be reheard

By Mike Helenthal | Apr 21, 2017

An appeals court judge for the 7th District of Texas this month denied a motion to rehear a case filed by Texas Tech University professor and associate dean James Wetherbe, who claimed he was the subject of defamatory statements that derailed a promotion.

Seattle's law to unionize ride-sharing could damage services like Uber and Lyft

By Kacie Whaley | Apr 21, 2017

The City of Seattle is attempting to unionize the growing industry of ride-sharing transportation. But some app companies and their drivers are fighting back.

Florida attorney general targets mortgage service provider for alleged misconduct

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 24, 2017

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced April 20 that her office, along with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation Commissioner Drew J. Breakspear, has filed a lawsuit against Ocwen Financial Corporation of West Palm Beach and its subsidiaries, Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC and Ocwen Mortgage Servicing Inc., for alleged mortgage servicing misconduct.

D.C. joins coalition urging Labor Department to stop delaying fiduciary rule

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 24, 2017

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced April 20 that he has joined a coalition of attorneys general led by Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller in urging the U.S. Department of Labor to lift its delay on implementing a rule.

Iowans eligible for Corinthian Colleges restitution

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 24, 2017

DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced April 20 that more than 500 Iowans who were students of schools operated by for-profit Corinthian Colleges Inc. will be eligible for cancellation of federal student loans.

Georgia joins 14-state coalition supporting Trump's '1-in, 2-out' executive order

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 24, 2017

ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced April 19 that his office joined a 14-state coalition supporting President Trump’s executive order aimed at reducing governmental regulation. The order mandates that for every regulation created by the government, two must be dropped.

District of Columbia settles with lawyer accused of notario fraud for $250,000

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 24, 2017

WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced April 18 that Unlimited Technology and Solutions Corporation (UTS) and owner Mardoqueo M. Sanchez will pay $250,000 in restitution to settle allegations of unlawful immigrant-consultant services.

EEOC settles retaliatory discrimination case with food management company for $35,000

By Mark Iandolo | Apr 24, 2017

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced April 10 that ABL Management, a food management company in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will pay $35,000 after allegations of retaliatory discrimination.