News from July 2017
Muslim says employer made him shave beard in retaliation
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 20 against MVM Inc., a diversified security services firm with headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia, for allegations of failing to accommodate an employee’s religious beliefs and then retaliating against him for complaining of racial harassment.
Nevada announces $1.2 million in funding for new UNR Med OB/GYN department
CARSON CITY, Nev. (Legal Newsline) — Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced July 17 that $1.2 million has been allocated to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) for a new OB/GYN department based in Reno with UNR Med community and hospital partners.
Passenger claims American Airlines breached contract by charging baggage fees
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – An American Airlines passenger alleges that the company fails to honor its contract with customers regarding baggage check fees.
The TJX Cos. Inc., others alleged to have inflated thread counts of products
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – Two Massachusetts consumers allege they purchased bedding that falsely advertised the thread count.
U.S. seeks $144 million from Nigerian businessmen who allegedly laundered money
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 14 that it has filed a civil complaint against Nigerian businessmen, seeking the forfeiture and recovery of roughly $144 million in assets that are purportedly proceeds stemming from foreign corruption laundered through the United States.
D.C. joins coalition suing drug manufacturers for alleged price fixing
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced July 18 he has joined four other states in a lawsuit against a group of generic drug manufacturers over allegations of conspiring to fix drug prices, thwart competition and engage in illegal and anti-competitive trade practices.
Georgia targets adventure activity company, alleging misleading advertising, sales practices
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced July 19 that he has filed an action to stop Marvelay LLC, which operates under the names “Spot Reservation” and “Rushcube,” from defrauding consumers through allegedly misleading internet advertising and unfair and deceptive sales practices.
California attorney general opposes FCC's proposal to repeal net neutrality rules
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced July 17 that he opposes the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) proposal to repeal net neutrality rules.
California attorney general seeks to protect consumers from potential gas price spikes
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced July 20 that his office took action against a proposed asset sale that he believes could cause retail gas price spikes for Northern California consumers.
Supreme Court rules Encinitas homeowners forfeited claims for storm damaged seawall
SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court ruled July 6 that Encinitas homeowners forfeited their claims when they went ahead with repairs before a final judgment was made in their petition for a permit to rebuild a storm-damaged seawall that protects their homes.
Court rules for hospital in suit brought by injured woman
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) -- The California First District Court of Appeals ruled July 6 that a woman recovering in a hospital after childbirth was unable to sue for an injury because of a letter she sent to the hospital before suing.
Taxicab owners allege New York law does not require ride-sharing services to adhere to local regulations
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – Taxicab owners have filed a suit against the state of New York over a law regarding ride-share services such as Uber.
Arkansas man files class action against opioid manufacturers over unjust enrichment allegations
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – A consumer has filed a suit against several manufactures and/or sellers of prescription opioids over allegations of misrepresentations about the drugs.
AmTrust Financial Services Inc. officers accused of fraudulent practices
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) – Stockholders allege that current and former officers and directors of AmTrust Financial Services breached their fiduciary duties
Consumers claim Behr's DeckOver product is defective, caused damages to deck
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers residing in Michigan and Oregon allege that a product they purchased to resurface their decks is defective.
Consumer claims National Consumer Law Group misrepresented services
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – A Maryland consumer alleges she was injured by the actions of a professional corporation that claimed to offer debt relief.
EEOC targets major sporting goods retailer for alleged racial harassment
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 20 against Big 5 Sporting Goods, one of the largest retailers of sporting goods in the western United States, over allegations of allowing ongoing racial harassment.
Lawyer sentenced for role in $550 million social security fraud scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 14 that a Social Security disability lawyer was sentenced in federal court over his alleged role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $550 million in federal disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Michigan alleges retail gas station company violated Weights and Measures Act
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced July 21 that his office has filed a lawsuit against retail gas station Great Lakes Gas & Mart LLC (Great Lakes) for allegations of repeatedly violating the state’s Weights and Measures Act.
Washington attorney general alleges Seattle company deceived nonprofit customers
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced July 20 that his office has filed a lawsuit against Blue Utopia, a company providing campaign and non-profit fundraising services located in Seattle, alleging it used new donations to cover old debts to other campaigns.