News from July 2017
Ohio coal company sues Army Corps of Engineers over W.Va. site
WHEELING, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) — An Ohio coal company is suing Army Corps of Engineers officials, alleging violation of federal law.
Skiing, biking lawsuits among closed-door topics at AAJ's annual meeting
The convention is scheduled to take place in Boston from July 22-25 and will feature meetings on several areas of the law, including litigation over skiing and bicycling accidents.
Attorneys' 'falsehoods' cause dismissal of Namenda case; Milberg appealing
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Attorneys are appealing a decision by a Massachusetts federal judge to dismiss a False Claims Act lawsuit because of deceptive practices by them.
Arizona Supreme Court reinstates wrongful death case against nursing home
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – The Arizona Supreme Court has overturned a lower court order granting summary judgment to health care provider ManorCare over the death of a patient.
New Mexico Supreme Court rules children can proceed with suit over father's death against Albuquerque PD
SANTA FE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) – The minor children of an Albuquerque man fatally shot by an Albuquerque police officer in 2010 have the right to sue the Albuquerque Police Department and the city, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled earlier this month.
Montana attorney general elected vice president of national association
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) — The office of Montana Attorney General Tim Fox announced June 22 that Fox was unanimously elected vice president of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).
FTC's Bureau of Competition director comments on Walgreens' proposed acquisition of Rite Aid
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 29 that Ted Lipsky, the acting director of the agency’s Bureau of Competition, has issued a statement about Walgreens Boots Alliance's proposed acquisition of Rite Aid Corporation.
California targets EPA, alleging failure to reduce methane emissions from oil, gas operations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced June 29 that he is taking action against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its alleged failure to reduce methane emissions from existing oil and natural gas operations.
FTC settles with remaining defendants in massive landline cramming operation
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 23 that the remaining defendants involved in a landline cramming operation have agreed to settle charges of placing more than $70 million in unauthorized charges on consumers’ phone bills.
ACT to divest 71 retail fuel stations to Empire Petroleum to complete acquisition of CST Brands
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 26 that retail fuel station and convenience store operator Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT) will divest up to 71 retail fuel stations with convenience stores to Empire Petroleum Partners before going through with its proposed $4.4 billion acquisition of competitor CST Brands Inc.
New York secures $1 million settlement with outsourcing company after allegations of improperly paying workers
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced June 23 that Infosys Corporation, a global outsourcing and consulting company, has agreed to pay $1 million after allegations of not properly compensating hundreds of workers.
$218 million Syngenta verdict exposes biotech firms to whims of foreign regulators
Jurors in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas applied centuries-old concepts of negligence and liability to find that Syngenta should have known China would reject imports of any farm products tainted with its Viptera seed.
Baltimore City Circuit Court introduces new mediation pilot for misdemeanor cases
The Circuit Court for Baltimore City has initiated a mediation pilot program aimed at enhancing access to justice for individuals involved in criminal misdemeanor cases.
Oklahoma high court rules that doctors need patient consent before using non-doctor surgery assistants
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) – In a decision issued June 20, the Oklahoma Supreme Court voted unanimously that surgeons should seek patient consent before using non-doctors to assist with a surgery.
Idaho Supreme Court overturns dismissal of lawsuit between two companies
BOISE, Idaho (Legal Newsline) – The Idaho Supreme Court has vacated a district court’s dismissal of a contract dispute between two out-of-state companies.
Oregon SC turns back challenge to safe harbor provision
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – The Oregon Supreme Court has affirmed a decision against a motorist who challenged Oregon's safe harbor statute in an attempt to have insurance provider Progressive Classic Insurance Co. cover his attorney fees.
Ohio Supreme Court grants charity tax exemption to certain dialysis centers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – On June 15, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that Dayton dialysis centers engaged in charity work are entitled to a partial property tax exemption.
Judge allows $250K verdict to stand in EEOC's case against Costco
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – An Illinois federal judge recently denied motions made by Costco Wholesale Corp. and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
SEC charges Canadian energy company with accounting fraud
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced June 28 that Penn West Petroleum Ltd. and three former top finance executives have been charged with accounting fraud.
New York secures settlement with national high school sports scouting company
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced June 23 that National Scouting Report Inc. (NSR) will pay more than $20,000 and reform its business practices after allegations of lying to clients through improper sales and advertising practices.