News from August 2017
Unique Beverage again seeks dismissal of coconut class action, says allowing plaintiff to amend would be futile
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – Washington-based Unique Beverage Co. has filed a motion to dismiss a second amended class action complaint against it over the company's Cascade Ice sparkling water.
Chicago claims new Byrne JAG conditions are unconstitutional
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – The city of Chicago has filed a lawsuit against over the new conditions of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, or Bryne JAG.
Hunter claims Dura-Touch Armor Coating on Browning Arms Co. degrades over time
ABERDEEN, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – A Mississippi hunter claims that a coating used on a brand of firearms was misrepresented as durable and suitable for use in all weather conditions.
Man claims A Place for Mom did not have his permission to call him
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – An Illinois man claims that the largest senior living referral service in the country unlawfully called him.
Plaintiff seeks corrective advertising campaign for Nature's Bounty niacin product
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit over the claims on a dietary supplement.
Huntington Ingalls to pay $9.2 million after False Claims Act allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Aug. 15 that Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (HII), a publicly traded company with headquarters in Newport, Virginia, will pay $9.2 million to resolve allegations of violating the False Claims Act.
California joins coalition supporting legal right of workers to join in collective action waivers
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Aug. 16 that he has joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of workers to take collective action.
Connecticut settles with Palmco Power over allegations of deceiving consumers
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen and Consumer Counsel Elin Swanson Katz announced Aug. 17 that electric supply company Palmco Power CT LLC will pay $5 million to the state of Connecticut after allegations of deceiving consumers about the company’s rates.
U.S. OKs $1.1 million settlement with agricultural company
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Aug. 15 that John Duarte and Duarte Nursery Inc. will pay $1.1 million in civil penalties and mitigation to resolve allegations of violating the Clean Water Act on property in Tehama County, California.
Arizona attorney general supports FTC's Class Action Fairness Project
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Aug. 16 that he has filed a formal comment with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in support of the agency’s Class Action Fairness Project.
FTC finalizes final order resolving antitrust allegations against Alimentation Couche-Tard
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 14 that, following a public comment period, the agency has approved a final order resolving federal antitrust violation allegations against Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.’s (ACT) $4.4 billion acquisition of CST Brands Inc.
Washington state alleges campaign finance violations
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Aug. 15 that he has filed a complaint alleging the Pierce County Democratic Central Committee committed campaign finance violations.
Pharmaceutical giant Mylan to pay $465 million after False Claims Act allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Aug. 17 that pharmaceutical companies Mylan Inc. and Mylan Specialty L.P. will pay $465 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act.
Washington state secures debt relief for 2,000 Corinthian Colleges student loan victims
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Aug. 17 that Aequitas Capital Management, a company in Lake Oswego, Oregon, will provide $7 million in debt relief to more than 2,000 Washington student loan borrowers.
New York secures $6.5 million settlement with timeshare building in Manhattan
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Aug. 16 that the owners and operators of the Manhattan Club, a timeshare building in Manhattan, will pay $6.5 million to resolve allegations of making false promises to current share owners.
Washington state urges U.S. Supreme Court to review 'culverts case'
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Aug. 17 that he has filed a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in U. S. et al v. State of Washington – also known as the “culverts case.”
Kansas law firm alleges competitor engaged in false advertising
Plaintiff Brave Law Firm LLC, based in Wichita, filed its complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas last month. Brave alleges a group of Wichita-based law firms owned by attorney Bradley Pistotnik have been engaging in false advertising for years, in turn hurting Brave’s business.
Consumer accuses milk products company of false advertising
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a milk products company, alleging negligent misrepresentation and unfair competition.
Two consumers accuse deodorant company of false advertising
SAN FRANCISCO — Two California consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against a deodorant business, alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
Survey: DOL’s fiduciary rule already hurting savers, financial professionals
The Financial Services Roundtable, an advocacy organization for the nation’s financial services industry, polled 600 financial advisers from July 7-12.