News from June 2017
New York, Massachusetts, Kentucky urge FCC to deny 'ringless robocall' petition
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear announced June 5 that they are urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deny a petition requesting that so-called “ringless robocalls” be exempt from consumer protections under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Massachusetts joins coalition opposing the Financial CHOICE Act of 2017
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced June 7 that she has joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in opposing a federal bill that would cut the role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
California receives $53.25 million of multistate settlement involving Dish Network
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced June 6 that California will receive $53.25 million after a judgment was levied against Dish Network in a national telemarketing case.
Justice Department issues memo ending third party settlement practice
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced June 7 that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has issued a memo ending the DOJ’s third party settlement practice.
FTC continues crackdown on tech support scams with recent $1 million settlement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission announced June 7 that it has obtained settlements with a group of defendants based in St. Louis who allegedly tricked consumers into buying unnecessary technical support devices by targeting them with deceptive pop-up ads.
U.S. settles with Illinois city in case involving alleged RLUIPA violations
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced June 6 that the city of Des Plaines, Illinois, has agreed to resolve allegations of violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA).
Consumer board penalizes Fay Servicing $1.15 million for alleged mortgage servicing violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced June 7 that it took action against Fay Servicing, a mortgage servicer based in Chicago, for allegations of failing to provide mortgage borrowers with federally mandated protections against foreclosure.
U.S. secures $2.5 million settlement with contractor over alleged False Claims Act violations
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced June 5 that Integrated Medical Solutions Inc. (IMS) and former President Jerry Heftler will pay $2.475 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act and Anti-kickback Act.
States bet on spaceports, future economic benefits
Spaceports are popping up over the country as private companies bet on a surge in commercial spaceflight and equally eager states maneuver to make room for them.
Consumer alleges Royal Seas Cruises made illegal phone calls
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a cruise ship company, alleging violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Label or Liability: GSK faces $3M verdict over product it didn't make
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - This spring, a Chicago federal jury awarded $3 million to the widow of a lawyer who committed suicide by stepping in front of a CTA L train in Chicago’s Loop in 2010 shortly after taking a generic version of the antidepressant drug Paxil.
Three customers allege Venezuelan airline broke law
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — Three Florida customers have filed a class action lawsuit against Santa Barbara Airlines CA, doing business as SBA Airlines, a Venezuelan company, alleging breach of contract.
Military housing company Corvias wins appeal to sue in bathroom fan fire case
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) – A Kansas military housing company won its appeal after suing two companies responsible for constructing a bathroom fan that allegedly caused two fires.
California's 2nd District Court of Appeal rejects Applied Underwriters’ petition
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – California's Second District Court of Appeal has ruled that that Applied Underwriters’ appeal of a trial court’s order denying its renewed petition to compel arbitration is not appealable.
Police brutality victim will not receive award money from Baltimore, appeals court rules
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – The Maryland Court of Special Appeals has ruled against allowing a police brutality victim to collect damages from the city of Baltimore.
Maryland court rules statute of repose bars man's estate from suing CBS in asbestos case
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – The Maryland Court of Special Appeals has upheld a judgment in favor of CBS Corp., contending that a statute of repose barred a man from suing the company in an asbestos case.
NFL moves to dismiss cheerleader's conspiracy lawsuit
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The NFL is seeking to dismiss a suit filed by a former San Francisco 49ers cheerleader who alleged that it and 26 clubs conspired to suppress cheerleader wages.
Ark. SC justice says alternative dispute resolution is 'eroding the cornerstone of our democracy'
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – The lone dissenting Arkansas Supreme Court justice in an arbitration case otherwise upheld by the court earlier this month warned against alternative dispute resolution.
Georgia Supreme Court reinstates $35 million award for Six Flags beating victim
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – Georgia's Supreme Court has reinstated at $35 million award in the case of a teenager severely beaten while leaving Six Flags Over Georgia almost a decade ago in which a jury found the amusement park largely liable for the beating he suffered.
Allegedly faulty guardrail costs remaining defendant $1.3 million
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) – The Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed a lower court’s decision that Marrick Homes was liable in a personal injury lawsuit.