News from August 2017
Lawsuit accuses ‘professional spammers’ of sending nearly 600 unsolicited emails
The case, originally filed in a California state court last year, was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California earlier this month. The plaintiffs are seeking a damages award of $1,000 per email.
Facebook avoids lawsuit by country rapper who wanted critical page taken down
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – In what is viewed as a victory for social media platforms, Facebook has been granted an Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) motion, which also led to dismissal of a lawsuit brought by a country rapper.
N.J. court rules for plaintiff in med-mal case that might end up at Supreme Court
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A medical malpractice case involving a botched gallbladder surgery may be headed to the New Jersey Supreme Court after an appellate court ruled for the plaintiff.
Stock owner alleges WebMD statement submitted to SEC is false and misleading
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A stock owner of WebMD is seeking to enjoin a proposed transaction.
Delaware law firm seeks more than $7 million in costs, fees it advanced in Celgene whistleblower lawsuit
Plaintiff Grant & Eisenhofer PA contends the defendants -- including law firms Richard Harpootlian PA and Bienert Miller & Katzman PLC -- conspired to interfere with and help terminate its agreement with California whistleblower Beverly Brown, a former Celgene sales representative.
CenturyLink accused of overcharging Iowa customers
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – Two Iowa residents allege that they were overcharged for services from an internet and telephone company.
FTC approves final order in Broadcom-Brocade acquisition case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 17 that it has approved a final order that will fix the allegedly anti-competitive effects of Broadcom Limited’s acquisition of Brocade Communications Systems Inc.
Net carbs count on Atkins products is misleading, consumer claims
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer claims Atkins Nutritionals Inc. misrepresents the number of net carbs in its product labels.
Ford settles EEOC discrimination allegations with $10.1 million
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Aug. 15 that Ford Motor Company will pay up to $10.125 million after allegations of sex and race harassment against a group of individuals at two Ford plants.
EEOC accuses Oklahoma drilling company of age, disability discrimination violations
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Aug. 16 against Horizontal Well Drillers (HWD), alleging age and disability discrimination.
Labor Department secures $5 million for ESOP members of Manhattan laser surgery center
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor announced Aug. 16 that the owner of a Manhattan laser surgery center will pay $5 million to its employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) after allegations of violating the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) by creating false company valuations.
EEOC accuses New York company of hostile work environment
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Aug. 14 against A & F Fire Protection Co. Inc. for allegations of creating and tolerating a hostile work environment in which black and Hispanic employees were subjected to racial insults.
FTC alleges group of marketers duped consumers out of $40 million
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 16 that it has charged a group of marketers with debiting more than $40 million from consumer bank accounts without authorization by the consumers.
EEOC targets nation's largest chiropractor college for alleged race discrimination
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Aug. 17 against Life University Inc., the United States’ largest chiropractic college, for allegations of treating two black employees differently because of their race.
Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice alleges company is discharging polluted water
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California nonprofit working in environmental justice and pollution prevention alleges a company in the state is wrongfully discharging polluted storm water.
FTC wins temporary restraining order halting allegedly deceptive work-at-home scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 17 that a federal court has entered a temporary restraining order halting an allegedly deceptive work-at-home scheme.
SEC alleges seven defendants racked up millions with insider trading ring
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Aug. 16 that it has charged seven individuals with allegations of insider trading and the generation of millions in profits by trading on confidential information regarding mergers and acquisitions.
EEOC targets health care staffing agency for alleged discrimination against worker with sickle-cell anemia
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Aug. 14 against Dependable Health Services Inc., a health care staffing agency, for allegations of firing an employee with sickle-cell anemia.
FTC settles with Uber after alleged data security issues
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Aug. 15 that Uber Technologies Inc. will implement a comprehensive privacy program and obtain regular, independent audits after the agency said the ride-sharing company deceived consumers about data security.
National Audubon Society goes to court over project on N.C. beach
WILMINGTON, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – The National Audubon Society is seeking to enjoin a project in North Carolina it alleges would damage a beach.