News from August 2017
Consumer claims Wells Fargo & Co. charged unnecessary and unwanted fees on auto loans
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Mississippi man alleges that automobile loans from a certain financial institution added unnecessary and unwanted auto collateral protection insurance and additional fees.
California Cattlemen’s Association, two others file suit over designated amphibian habitat
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Three nonprofit organizations in California are seeking to enjoin regulatory burdens on the owners of land designated as critical amphibian habitat in 2016.
Pret A Manger sandwich wraps alleged to be packaged with slack-fill
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A New York consumer alleges that Pret A Manger wraps are deceptively packaged.
Justice Department secures $115,000 in back pay for workers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Aug. 10 that Barrios Street Realty LLC, a company in Lockport, Louisiana, will pay roughly $108,000 to 12 U.S. workers after allegations the company violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
EEOC secures $2 million for former, current disabled UPS employees
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Aug. 8 that United Parcel Service (UPS) will pay $2 million to roughly 90 current and former employees after allegations of nationwide disability discrimination.
FTC charges 12 defendants with with money laundering in alleged credit card scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 7 that it has charged 12 defendants with laundering millions of dollars in credit card charges via fraudulent merchant accounts.
FTC obtains default judgment against Florida man who allegedly scammed consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 10 that it has obtained a default judgment and permanent injunction that effectively halt Daniel L. Croft, doing business as PG Guru Tech Support and Elite Tech Support, from conducting business.
Nevada attorney general leads 10-state coalition defending state rights in regulating groundwater
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) — Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced Aug. 10 that he is leading a 10-state coalition of attorneys general in a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Supreme Court defending state rights in regulating groundwater.
EEOC alleges creative design company manager harassed, retaliated against female employee
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Aug. 8 against Candid Lithio, a creative design services company, for allegations of subjecting female employees to sex discrimination, sexual harassment and retaliation.
FTC charges online marketing operation with negative option scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 7 that it has charged an online marketing operation with allegations of deceptively luring consumers into an expensive negative option scam.
Texas reaches agreement with dental supply company over anti-competition allegations
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Aug. 7 that his office has reached an agreement with Henry Schein Dental over anti-competitive conduct allegations.
Justice Department settles with contractor that allegedly violated False Claims Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Aug. 10 that ADS Inc. and its subsidiaries will pay $16 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act.
Georgia medical center to pay $2.55 million after alleged false claims violations
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia G.F. “Pete” Peterman announced Aug. 4 that the Medical Center of Central Georgia Inc., more commonly known as the Medical Center, Navicent Health (Navicent), will pay $2,549,742 after allegations of violating the False Claims Act.
D.C. to receive $5.5 million in 33-state settlement with Nationwide after data breach
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Aug. 9 that his office has secured $5.5 million from Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and a subsidiary as part of a 33-state settlement in a data breach case.
DOL looks to delay fiduciary rule until 2019
The U.S. Department of Labor and its new secretary, R. Alexander Acosta, last week notified a Minnesota federal court that it submitted to the Office of Management and Budget, or OMB, proposed amendments to three exemptions. The proposed amendments include an “extension of transition period and delay of applicability dates” from Jan. 1, 2018 to July 1, 2019.
Scram files motion to dismiss a second complaint over alcohol monitoring device
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – An alcohol monitoring system company has filed a motion to dismiss an amended complaint that accuses the company of selling an alcohol-monitoring device that does not work.
Mo. court doesn't dismiss lawsuit over amount of Reese's Pieces, Whoppers in packaging
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – On May 16, the U.S District Court for the Western Division of Missouri denied a second motion made by Hershey to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a consumer who claimed that he purchased candy boxes that were as much as 41 percent empty.
New Jersey's largest insurer continues legal disputes with hospitals it labeled as Tier 2; Judges' discovery rulings affirmed
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Horizon Healthcare Services Inc., the largest insurer in New Jersey, has lost the right to keep confidential certain documents sought by several hospitals that have sued the insurer.
Md. court to decide if company can shorten statute of limitations with provision in consumer contracts
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) – The Maryland Court of Appeals has told a trial court to determine whether a provision in a contract that shortened the statute of limitations during which a lawsuit could be brought is enforceable.
Louisiana senator emerges as possible roadblock to overturning consumer-protection rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) is still reviewing whether he will vote in favor of overturning a new rule by a consumer protection agency that forbids financial companies from including contract clauses that bar class-action law suits.