News from January 2017
N.Y. judge dismisses slack-fill suit against Muscle Milk maker
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) –- A putative class action lawsuit against the maker of Muscle Milk protein powder has been dismissed by a Southern District of New York judge.
Maker of coconut water settles class action lawsuit for nearly $1 million
Harmless Harvest Inc. has agreed to make changes to its labels and to ongoing third-party monitoring of the accuracy of its product labels, among other things.
EEOC charges Texas Christian camp with civil rights violations regarding pregnancy
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Dec. 22 alleging Carolina Creek Christian Camp Inc. (CCCC) demoted a worker due to her pregnancy and related medical issues, then fired her for standing up for her rights.
FTC seeks enforcement of information request
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission is asking a federal court to force IT Media to comply with a civil investigative demand.
Arkansas attorney general alleges NuCold Refrigeration violated consumer protection laws
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a consumer-protection lawsuit Dec. 21 against Morrilton-based NuCold Refrigeration Inc. and its owner, Jerry Collins of Plumerville. NuCold also conducts business under the names RV Fridge House and RV Icebox.
CFPB targets Equifax, TransUnion, orders them to pay $23 million in penalties
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Jan. 3 that it took action against Equifax Inc., TransUnion and other subsidiaries for allegedly deceiving consumers about the cost and usefulness of the credit scores it sold.
EPA complaint against Syngenta, other policies in doubt under new Trump pick, advocate says
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) – President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Environment Protection Agency has many wondering what will become of the agency's activities, including a pesticide complaint filed last month over an incident on Kauai a year ago, a workplace advocate said.
Mexicali Chicken & Salads agrees to $27,692 settlement to resolve discrimination allegations
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 30 that Mexicali Chicken & Salads in El Centro, Calif., will pay $27,692 after allegations a female employee was sexually harassed by her manager and then fired for complaining.
EEOC announces regulations regarding U.S. agencies' role for individuals with disabilities
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced new regulations Jan. 3 regarding how federal agencies engage in affirmative action. The goal is to have these agencies serve as “model employers” for individuals with disabilities.
Diamond Resorts settles with Arizona, to pay $800,000 for alleged customer deception
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has announced Dec. 23 that Diamond Resorts Corporation agreed to settle for $800,000 in a case involving allegations of customer deception.
Law firm’s former partner files second lawsuit over allegedly diverted fees
The defendants -- partners at Schiller Kessler & Gomez PLLC -- also want this lawsuit dismissed. They argue their former managing partner has asserted nearly identical claims in his newest lawsuit, originally filed in a Kentucky state court in November.
Arkansas targets Capital Credit Solutions, alleges violations of multiple state laws
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a consumer-protection lawsuit Dec. 21 against Florida-based Capital Credit Solutions Inc. and Willie J. McKenzie for allegations of deceiving consumers in the state about their credit repair services.
Alabama Supreme Court rules electronic bingo is illegal in state
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced Dec. 23 that the Alabama Supreme Court ruled for the second time this year that electronic bingo is illegal in the state.
Federal court grants Texas preliminary injunction blocking Obama administration's health rules
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Jan. 1 that a federal court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Obama administration’s new federal health rules that force doctors to act contrary to their medical judgment or religious beliefs.
Texas urges court to knock down race, sex quota for state bar board membership
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Dec. 29 that his office has filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit challenging racial and sex-based quotas for board membership on the State Bar of Texas.
Pennsylvania targets auto business for allegedly selling unlicensed vehicles
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer announced Jan. 3 that his office has filed 29 legal actions against individuals and automobile businesses that allegedly engaged in unlicensed car sales, selling un-roadworthy vehicles and publishing deceptive advertisements.
Tennessee Gas to pay $640,000 for conservation land it bought to build pipeline
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton announced Dec. 29 that Tennessee Gas Pipeline LLC will pay $640,000 to compensate for conservation land acquired to build a pipeline in Berkshire County.
Fertility Bridge settles with New Jersey, will remove libel clause from consumer contracts
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Jan. 4 that Fertility Bridges will settle allegations it effectively barred consumers from posting negative reviews of the website online.
Lisa A. Hall Johnson named administrative judge for Prince George's County
Prince George’s County District Judge Lisa A. Hall Johnson has been appointed as the Administrative Judge for District 5 of the District Court of Maryland, which includes Prince George’s County.
Two companies defeat telemarketing claims holding them 'vicariously liable'
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) – Two defendants in a multidistrict litigation proceeding involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act have won summary judgment, dismissing them from an MDL containing 30 cases.