News from December 2017
Arizona attorney general seeks to stop serial litigator from preying on state businesses
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Dec. 5 that his office has filed a motion to intervene in a federal court case to stop serial litigators from filing frivolous lawsuits against businesses in the state.
New Jersey secures $57,920 for woman who suffered persistent sexual harassment
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced Dec. 4 that Statewide Roadside Assistance of Toms River and its owner, Neal K. Prashad, will pay $57,920 for emotional distress and lost wages after allegations of persistent sexual harassment against a female employee.
Carolina Personnel Services claims Akebono Brake Corp. is attempting to 'shift liability' in religious discrimination suit
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) – A third-party defendant is seeking a judgment on the pleadings in a discrimination lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from the U.S. District Court of South Carolina’s Columbia Division.
Puritan's Pride seeks to dismiss BOGO class action
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Puritan’s Pride and The Nature's Bounty have asked a federal judge dismiss a class action lawsuit over a buy-one-get-one-free deal.
Plaintiffs in My Pillow lawsuit ask for motion to stay because of similar suit in California
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers have requested a stay with the U.S. District Court District of Oregon, Portland Division as they continue their case against a Minnesota company.
Dollar General's legal fight with consumers continues over aloe gel product
]CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Dollar General (DG) continues its battle with two consumers who are suing the company over fraud allegations related to aloe gel.
Hyland's, others question why class action filed after refunds were issued over teething tablets
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Homeopathic teething remedy makers and sellers Hyland’s, Standard Homeopathic, CVS Pharmacy and Target asked the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to dismiss a consumer class action lawsuit filed against them on Sept. 15.
Bridgestone Corp. seeks to dismiss suit over rubber parts, states suit is 'tolling tactic'
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) – A Michigan magistrate is still considering alleged antitrust allegations in one of the largest litigation lawsuits in the U.S.
Lyft settles proposed class action over toll charges after judge affirms arbitration agreement
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – After receiving a positive ruling from a federal judge, riide share company Lyft has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed against it by a New York plaintiff who had sought class action certification for his suit over toll charges.
FTC: Federal judge bans operators of gold, silver investment scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 6 that a federal judge banned the operators of Discount Gold Brokers’ alleged fraudulent investment scheme.
FTC targets alleged Florida credit card interest-rate reduction scam
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 4 that it has filed a complaint in federal district court in Orlando to stop to an alleged credit card interest rate reduction scam.
FTC: Dallas auto dealer deceived Spanish-speaking consumers in advertisements
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 1 that Cowboy AG LLC, a company in Dallas that does business as Cowboy Toyota and Cowboy Scion (Cowboy Toyota), has agreed to settle allegations of deceptively advertising loan and leasing terms in ads delivered in a regional Spanish-language newspaper.
Fugitive lawyer apprehended in Honduras to face Social Security fraud charges
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 6 that Eric Christopher Conn of Pikeville, Kentucky, was apprehended abroad after fleeing Social Security fraud charges.
Justice Department targets Saipan restaurant for alleged discrimination against U.S. job applicants
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 4 that JET Holding Co. Inc. (JET) has paid $40,000 to nine citizens after allegedly violating the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Dallas hospital to pay $7.5 million after alleged physician kickback scandal
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 1 that Pine Creek Medical Center LLC (Pine Creek), a Dallas/Fort Worth physician-owned hospital, will pay $7.5 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act by paying kickbacks for surgical referrals.
Connecticut: Behavioral health center to pay nearly $900,000 after alleged violations
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced Dec. 8 that APT Foundation Inc. (APT), a behavioral health and substance use disorder services provider, and its chief executive officer Lynn Madden, will pay $883,859 after allegations of submitting improper claims for payment to the state’s Medicaid Program.
N.J. gentleman's club, of 'Sopranos' fame, to shut down
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Alcohol Beverage Control announced Dec. 7 an order for two North Jersey “gentleman’s clubs” to sell or transfer their liquor licenses to a third party by Jan. 3.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. restaurant patron files suit over gratuity fee
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A New York resident alleges that he was charged a gratuity fee at a Florida restaurant without notice.
National Association of Wheat Growers, others allege California's Prop 65 violates 14th Amendment
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Several agricultural associations are challenging California's Proposition 65, which would label glyphosate as a carcinogen.
Media beware: 'Shakedown' lawyer hits industry over videos that lack closed captioning
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A lawyer accused by his opponents of exploiting the blind to recover millions of dollars from shakedown lawsuits is now representing a deaf man who has sued a dozen media outlets.