News from February 2017
Former Uber driver claims company falsely promoted leases as free of mileage caps
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A former Uber Technologies, Inc. driver has filed a class action lawsuit against the company, as well as Xchange Leasing, LLC, UFS Inc. and Bama Leasing, Inc., citing alleged breach of contract, fraud and unfair competition.
Former Baylor assistant VP claims university threatened termination for opposing certain practices
SAN ANTONIO (Legal Newsline) — A former assistant vice president for student financial aid at Baylor University is suing the college, citing alleged retaliation and wrongful termination.
Fox Sports films at historic Maryland courthouse ahead of Super Bowl
With temperatures dropping below freezing, the Circuit Court for Queen Anne's County in Centreville, Maryland, became the backdrop for a Fox Sports film crew on January 27.
Brooklyn consumer accuses snack company of false advertising
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A Brooklyn woman is suing a snack company, alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
Miss. House bill moves to Senate vote; bill would require attorney general to seek approval for certain litigation
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – Mississippi’s Bill 555 passed in the Republican-led state House, requiring the attorney general, the only statewide elected Democrat, to seek approval from a commission before pursuing litigation that may recover at least $250,000 in awards.
Physician accuses health care companies of fraud in class action
SHERMAN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — A physician is suing health care companies, alleging fraud.
Consumer accuses Whirlpool of dishwasher defect
KALAMAZOO, Mich. (Legal Newsline) — A Virginia consumer is suing Whirlpool, alleging design defect and product liability.
EEOC targets Marquez Brothers, alleging civil rights violations
FRESNO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Jan. 12 against Marquez Brothers International Inc. for allegations of failing to hire non-Hispanic applicants for entry-level positions due to their race.
FTC accuses Qualcomm of anti-competitive monopoly tactics
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 17 that it has filed a complaint in federal court against Qualcomm Inc. for allegedly using anti-competitive tactics to keep its monopoly related to key semiconductor devices.
District of Columbia settles class action lawsuit related to tax-lien statute
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Jan. 18 that the district will settle a class action lawsuit filed by Boies, Schiller & Flexner on behalf of property owners who lost homes and home equity because of the district’s tax-sale foreclosure system.
Matson to pay $725,000 for alleged Clean Water Act violations in Honolulu Harbor
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Jan. 19 that Matson Terminals Inc. has agreed to pay $725,000 in civil penalties after allegations of Clean Water Act violations related to a September 2013 molasses spill into Honolulu Harbor.
Consumer financial board alleges CityFinancial Servicing, CitiMortgage misled consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) —The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Jan. 23 that it took separate actions against CitiFinancial Servicing and CitiMortgage Inc. for business practices involving struggling homeowners seeking options to save their homes.
California consumer accuses Presidio of false advertising
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer is suing a men's grooming product manufacturer, alleging negligent misrepresentation and unfair competition.
Public policy group sees First Amendment liberties at risk in Backpage.com case
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Critics continue to argue that actions like those that recently forced classified-ad website Backpage.com to shutter its “adult” section are unconstitutional and in violation of freedom of speech rights.
Class actions follow FTC lawsuit against Qualcomm
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The Federal Trade Commission’s two-year probe of Qualcomm has led to the government filing suit against the California-based company, accusing executives of employing “onerous” tactics allowing it to “maintain a monopoly on baseband processors.”
U.S. government accuses Georgia hospital of violations
DUBLIN, Ga. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. government is suing a Georgia hospital, alleging violation of federal law.
Shareholder alleges gene therapy company, officers violated federal securities laws
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A shareholder is suing a New York gene therapy company and its officers, alleging violation of federal law.
Attorneys: ‘By-the-book,’ ‘apolitical’ Rosenstein is ‘beyond qualified’ for deputy AG role
According to reports, President Donald Trump plans to nominate Rosenstein, the longtime U.S. attorney in Maryland, for the No. 2 job at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Deutsche Bank to pay $7.2 billion for alleged role in financial crisis
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice announced Jan. 17 that Deutsche Bank has agreed to a $7.2 billion settlement after allegations it misled investors in the packaging, securitization, marketing, sale and issuance of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) between 2006 and 2007.
Justice Department targets Ahmet Okumus for alleged HSR Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice announced a civil antitrust lawsuit Jan. 17, filed at the request of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), against Ahmet Okumus.