News from January 2017
Mississippi alleges Google illegally obtains personal information of students
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) — Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced a lawsuit Jan. 17 against Google Inc., over allegations of collecting personal information and a search history of public school students in violation of the state’s Consumer Protection Act.
Slack fill suits sharply on rise in 2017, FDA regulations triggering uptick
SILVER SPRING, Md. (Legal Newsline) – The number of slack-fill complaints are sharply on the rise, triggered by new, sweeping Food and Drug Administration regulations aimed at protecting consumers from product manufacturers.
Shire Pharmaceuticals to pay $350 million penalty, resolving kickback allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice announced Jan. 11 that Shire Pharmaceuticals will pay $350 million after allegedly committing federal and state False Claims Act violations by employing kickbacks to induce physicians to use their product.
New Jersey school district accuses FieldTurf manufacturer of defective product
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — A New Jersey school district is suing the manufacturers of a field turf, alleging design defect and product liability.
Customer accuses cable company, officers of violating securities law
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A shareholder is suing a Kentucky cable company and its officers, alleging violation of federal law.
Nestle sued over amount of Raisinets in package
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California woman is suing Nestle, alleging breach of contract, breach of implied warranty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.
Class action: PetSmart charges illegal tax on prescription food
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — A Florida consumer is suing a pet food company, alleging violation of state law.
Massachusetts seeks dismissal of lawsuit from cab companies against it, Uber
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – With technology giving rise to Uber, it means the states have had to draft new legislation in order to accommodate such a unique business model.
Six consumers accuse Toyota of selling defective vehicles
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — Six consumers are suing Toyota, alleging breach of implied warranty, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.
Dorel Juvenile facing class action alleging car seats can't support weight
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California woman is suing a child car seat manufacturer, alleging breach of implied warranty, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.
Consumer alleges Nestle Infant Nutrition doesn't reduce risk of allergies
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A New York consumer is suing Nestle, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Illinois consumer accuses Family Dollar of false advertising
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — An Illinois woman is suing Family Dollar, alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
Consumers have until the end of month to claim part of $52 million milk class action settlement
Defendants National Milk Producers Federation a.k.a. Cooperatives Working Together, Dairy Farmers of America Inc., Land O’Lakes Inc., Dairylea Cooperative Inc. and Agri-Mark Inc. agreed to settle the antitrust class action lawsuit to avoid a trial.
Allergen settles SEC allegations regarding public disclosures, to pay $15 million penalty
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Jan. 17 that Allergan Inc. will pay $15 million in penalties after allegedly violating securities law when failing to make proper disclosures after a hostile takeover bid.
CashCall to repay $1.8 million, forgive $1 million in loans after deal with D.C.
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Karl A. Racine, the attorney general for the District of Columbia, announced Jan. 11 that lender CashCall has agreed to repay more than $1.8 million in debt payments made by district consumers. The company will also forgive more than $1 million in remaining loan debt.
U.S. settles with Pepco, resolving alleged violations of Clean Water Act permit
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement Jan. 13 with the Potomac Electric Power Company (Pepco) that resolves alleged violations of Pepco’s Clean Water Act permit at its service center in the Anacostia section of Washington, D.C.
Sixth Circuit declines to call off class action settlement over wage law allegations
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has declined to dissolve a class action settlement regarding alleged violations of the Kentucky Wage and Hour Act.
Defense not allowed to depose plaintiff's former expert; Wouldn't have helped defense's case anyway, he said
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of Missouri ruled in November that a work-product privilege waiver does not apply to expert witnesses dismissed by a legal party prior to a deposition.
CGMI to return $22.5 million to consumers after fee overcharge allegations in New York
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 12 that Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (CGMI), a subsidiary of Citigroup, will return more than $22.5 million in fees to more than 47,000 consumers after a four-year long case. The company admitted to the findings of Schneiderman’s office.
Washington state attorney general, senator seek one-year lobbying prohibition
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Jan. 12 that, along with state Sen. Reuven Carlyle, he has reintroduced the government ethics proposal that would establish a one-year lobbying prohibition for former high-ranking state officials.