News from July 2017
CFPB's new rule 'large gift for class action lawyers'; Court challenges coming
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - As the director of a federal consumer protection agency seemingly fights for his job, he has gone forth with plans to finalize a controversial rule – and a court challenge seems imminent.
Judge denies motion to dismiss Cosco car seat class action
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Judge James Otero of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California has denied a motion from a child seat manufacturer that requested he dismiss a class action lawsuit brought against the company.
Medical providers win case over Sarasota County special law
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of Florida has reversed a decision of an appeals court regarding hospital reimbursements in Sarasota County.
R.I. Supreme Court allows couple to challenge Brown University's field hockey plans
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – The Rhode Island Supreme Court has granted a couple another chance to challenge construction plans for a field hockey space at Brown University.
DOL files brief in challenge to Obama overtime rule
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Department of Labor has filed notice with U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, asserting that the government has presently “decided not to advocate” for a specific salary level in its ongoing dispute with states over what workers should be eligible for overtime pay.
Coach, school to face Wash. concussion law claims after player's death
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – A Washington football coach must face claims from the family of a player who died after suffering head injuries, as a result of a July 6 ruling by the state Supreme Court.
Texas Supreme Court upholds Election Code in King Street Patriots dispute
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) – The Texas Supreme Court on June 30 upheld the Texas Election Code's restrictions on corporate contributions in a dispute between two political parties.
Dunkin' Donuts customer sues chain over steak in sandwiches
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — A New York customer has filed a class action lawsuit against Dunkin' Donuts, alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
FTC OKs final order settling anti-competitive charges in Emerson-Pentair acquisition case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 30 that, following a public comment period, it has approved a final order settling charges that Emerson Electric Co.’s acquisition of Pentair would be anti-competitive.
U.S. charges former Audi executive with fraud for role in massive VW environmental case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 6 that Giovanni Pamio, an Italian citizen, has been charged in connection with conspiracy to cheat U.S. emissions tests.
EPA, Justice Department, Colorado settle with Rocky Mountain Bottle in emissions case
DENVER (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the state of Colorado announced June 30 that Rocky Mountain Bottle Company LLC (RMBC) has agreed to install emissions controls on the glass furnaces at its glass bottle manufacturing facility in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.
District of Columbia joins attorneys general coalition seeking to ban pesticide Chlorpyrifos
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced July 6 that, as part of a coalition of six state attorneys general, he has intervened in a lawsuit to force the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to effectively ban Chlorpyrifos, a toxic pesticide.
Ala. pharmacy agrees to injunction
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 5 that a district court has delivered a permanent injunction against a group of defendants to prevent distribution of allegedly adulterated and misbranded drugs and unapproved new drugs.
U.S. settles with Massachusetts real estate company that allegedly practiced racial discrimination
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 6 that J&R Associates will settle allegations of discrimination against tenants of South Asian descent at the company’s Royal Park Apartments complex in North Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts secures $455,000 in refunds in DeVry settlement
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced July 5 that DeVry University, a for-profit school, will pay $455,000 in refunds after allegations of deceptive job placement rates in the marketing of select online programs.
Arizona, 30-state coalition urge FCC to allow telephone providers to block illegal robocalls
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced July 5 that he has addressed a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) urging it to adopt rules that would allow telephone providers to block illegal robocalls. Brnovich is joined by a bipartisan coalition of 30 attorneys general.
Georgia leads coalition defending constitutionality of Congressional Review Act
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced July 5 that he has joined with Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel to lead a coalition of attorneys general who are intervening in Center for Biological Diversity v. Ryan Zinke and Department of the Interior.
FTC settles charges Broadcom's acquisition of Brocade would cause anti-competitive effects
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced July 3 that semiconductor manufacturer Broadcom Limited will establish a firewall to remedy FTC concerns related to its $5.9 billion acquisition of Brocade Communications Systems Inc. The FTC had alleged the acquisition would likely be anti-competitive.
California targets Trump administration's delay in implementing Waste Prevention Rule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced July 5 that he has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration alleging an illegal delay in implementing the Waste Prevention Rule.
Former Birdsall Services executive pleads guilty in New Jersey pay-to-play violation case
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced July 7 that Alan Hilla of Jupiter, Florida. has pled guilty to his role in the Birsdall Services Group (BSG) scheme that involved more than $1 million illegal political contributions made through firm employees to evade the state’s pay-to-play laws.