News from February 2017
City of Philadelphia resolves DOJ allegations of discriminating against disabled employee
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) — The city of Philadelphia agreed Feb. 6 to resolve allegations it discriminated against an employee with a disability, the U.S. Department of Justice said.
D.C. challenges Public Service Commission ruling on Exelon, Pepco Holdings merger
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Feb. 7 that he has filed a brief in the D.C. District Court of Appeals challenging the District’s Public Service Commission (PSC) decision to allow a merger between Exelon and Pepco Holdings Inc. on terms of the PSC’s choosing.
Certification issue not dead in class action against Wackenhut
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – On Nov. 21, a California appeals court reversed a
trial court’s previous class action decertification on Lubin v. Wackenhut Corp.
Securities lawsuits continue record pace
U.S. federal courts are being inundated with an unprecedented number of securities lawsuits, two recent reports indicate. The record-setting pace of publicly traded companies being the target of class-action suits began last year and has continued so far in 2017.
Ky. bill requiring review of medical malpractice claims idling in House
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Legal Newsline) – A bill requiring an independent panel to review medical malpractice claims has successfully moved from the Kentucky Senate floor to the House, but has not progressed in more than a month.
U.S. SC arguments in consolidated cases over arbitration agreements to be set for 2017 term
According to reports, the nation’s high court notified lawyers in the cases -- Epic Systems Corp. v. Lewis, Ernst & Young v. Morris and NLRB v. Murphy Oil USA Inc. -- that arguments will be scheduled for the next term, which starts in October.
Class action filed over alleged Enbrel side effects
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — An Orange County, California, consumer is suing a drug business, alleging breach of warranty, unfair competition and violation of state law.
RTG Furniture to pay $55,000 after allegations of pregnancy discrimination
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Feb. 3 that RTG Furniture Corp of Georgia, a Florida corporation that operates a chain of Rooms to Go furniture stores and distribution centers nationwide, will pay $55,000 after allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
Northwest Territorial Mint settles EEOC sexual harassment allegations with $725,000 penalty
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Feb. 7 that Northwest Territorial Mint, a precious metals dealer in Federal Way, Wash., will pay $725,000 to resolve allegations of sexual harassment.
Eversource defends rate hike in Massachusetts; AG Healey is opposing
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Eversource Energy, which delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.7 million customers throughout Massachusetts, has filed a request with the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities to increase the rates it charges its customers for electricity.
Business group hopeful legislation targeting frivolous lawsuits will pass
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – For the first time in years, small business advocates believe there is a chance Congress could approve imposing mandatory penalties on those who file frivolous lawsuits.
Universal Drywall settles for $500,000 after allegations it misclassified employees
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Feb. 2 that Universal Drywall LLC (Universal) has agreed to a $500,000 settlement after allegations it misclassified employees on multiple public construction projects.
Wash.judge orders makers of 5-hour ENERGY to pay $4.3M
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Feb. 8 that a King County judge has ordered the makers of 5-hour ENERGY to pay nearly $4.3 million after multiple alleged violations of the state Consumer Protection Act.
Consumer board targets Woodbridge Gold & Pawn for alleged customer deception
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Feb. 2 that, along with Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, that it took action against Woodbridge Coins and Jewelry Exchange Inc., doing business as Woodbridge Gold & Pawn, for allegedly deceiving consumers about the actual annual costs of loans.
Texas files amicus brief in Supreme Court case involving patent infringement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Feb. 6 that he is leading a coalition of 17 states in filing an amicus brief in the Supreme Court over where patent owners can file claims.
Officials say legal funding company scammed 9/11 heroes, NFL concussion victims
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Feb. 7 that, along with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, it has filed a lawsuit against RD Legal LLC, two related entities and Roni Dersovitz, the companies’ founder and owner, for allegedly scamming 9/11 heroes and NFL concussion victims out of money.
Wilson Oil settles alleged Clean Water Act spill violations
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Feb. 2 that Wilson Oil Inc., doing business as Wilcox & Flegel Oil Co., has agreed to settle allegations of Clean Water Act spill prevention violations at its Longview Terminal facility in Longview, Washington.
Western Sky, affiliates to provide $40 million in monetary relief to Georgia consumers
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Feb. 8 that Western Sky Financial LLC, CashCall Inc. and related entities have agreed to pay $40 million in monetary relief to Georgia consumers.
Class action against InterCoast Career Institute likely to turn on statutory violations, attorney says
BANGOR, Maine (Legal Newsline) – Lack of clearer allegations about accreditation could be a weak spot in the $5 million putative class action lawsuit filed in Maine by four former nursing students, a New York-based business law and litigation attorney said during a recent interview.
With Obama's veto threat gone, asbestos 'double-dipping' bill reintroduced
U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, a Republican who serves on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, submitted the GOP-backed Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2017, or H.R. 906, last week.