News from January 2017
Nearly 4,500 ACI students will receive loan forgiveness after deceptive practices allegations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Jan. 13 that the U.S. Department of Education will forgive loans for nearly 4,500 student who were allegedly victimized by the now-defunct American Career Institute (ACI) in Massachusetts.
CITGO settles New Jersey-based case of alleged fraud with $456,610 penalty
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Jan. 12 that Texas-based CITGO Petroleum (CITGO) will pay $456,610 after allegations of violating the Motor Fuels Act, the Consumer Fraud Act and the Advertising Regulations.
Structured settlement company argues CFPB shouldn’t bring action against it in light of D.C. Circuit ruling
The company, listed on the lawsuit as John Doe Company, filed the lawsuit against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Director Richard Cordray in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Jan. 10.
Connecticut home health care provider pays $5.25 million to settle false claim allegations
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced Jan. 12 that Family Care Visiting Nurse and Home Care Agency LLC (FCVNA) and owners David and Rita Krett have agreed to a $5.25 million settlement after allegations of submitting false claims to the state’s Medicaid program.
D.C. attorney general reintroduces legislation targeting pay-to-play politics
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Karl A. Racine, attorney general for the District of Columbia, announced Jan. 9 that his office has reintroduced legislation targeting pay-to-play politics in Washington, D.C.
California gets $150 million of Moody's $863 million settlement related to alleged misconduct
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — California’s acting attorney general, Kathleen A. Kenealy, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and the attorneys general from 20 other states and the District of Columbia, announced Jan. 13 that Moody’s Corporation (Moody’s) will pay $863.8 million after allegations related to the company’s misconduct in inflating ratings of residential mortgage-backed securities.
Pennsylvania settles with Vivint after company allegedly violated multiple state laws
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer announced Jan. 11 that Vivint Inc., more commonly known as APX Alarm Security Solutions Inc., has agreed to settle allegations of violating the commonwealth’s Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.
Pennsylvania reaches agreement for fees, expenses related to BuckleySander e-mail audit
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer announced Jan. 11 that his office has reached an agreement with the law firm BuckleySander LLP that resolves the final amount owed to the firm for work reviewing emails captured on Office of Attorney General (OAG) servers.
Nevada files brief on behalf of 21 states opposing Labor Department overtime rule appeal
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) — Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced Jan. 17 that he will oppose the Department of Labor’s appeal after its new overtime rule received a preliminary injunction.
Wisconsin court dismisses defamation suit naming Megyn Kelly as defendant
MADISON, Wis. (Legal Newsline) – The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a defamation suit filed by a firefighter naming former Fox News host Megyn Kelly as a defendant.
EPA's regional haze rule beaten back by lawsuit
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – The implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regional haze regulations in Texas and Oklahoma has been put on hold by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth District.
Florida reaches settlement with operators of alleged online lending scheme
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Jan. 12 that her office has coordinated with Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) Commissioner Drew Breakspear on settlements with the operators of an alleged online lending scheme.
Kansas sues company that allegedly trashed, instead of shredding, personal documents
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced a lawsuit Jan. 12 against Searchtec Inc., alleging the company repeatedly disposed of documents containing personal information of consumers by dumping them in trash receptacles.
Justice Department accuses Mitchell Rales of 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 Mitchell Rales for alleged violations of Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act of 1976.
Customer files class action against Nissan over allegedly melted dashboard
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — A Florida customer is suing Nissan, alleging design defect, liability, negligent misrepresentation and product liability.
Three consumers allege My Pillow falsely advertised price
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — Three West Coast customers are suing My Pillow, alleging fraud.
SEC orders 10 investment advisory firms to pay fines after allegedly violating pay-to-play rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Jan. 17 that 10 investment advisory firms will pay between $35,000 and $100,000 each in penalties after allegations of violating the SEC’s investment adviser pay-to-play rule.
Ohio, West Virginia lead coalition opposing federal 'Stream Protection Rule'
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, along with West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, announced Jan. 19 that a group of 13 states has challenged the federal government’s “Stream Protection Rule.”
FTC issues comments opposing proposed merger of Mountain States, Wellmont Health
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 13 that its staff has submitted a supplemental comment and analysis to the Virginia Department of Health. In the comments, the staff voices opposition to issuing a letter authorizing a cooperative agreement to Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System.
Lawyer: Fifth Circuit ruling in Delek case 'significant victory for the regulated industry'
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Dec. 29 rejected Occupational Safety and Health Administration citations issued to a Delek Refining LTD facility for alleged safety violations that occurred years prior to its ownership of the refinery.