News from June 2017
FTC finalizes order settling anticompetitive allegations in ChemChina-Syngenta merger
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 16 that, following a public comment period, the agency has approved a final order settling charges that the China National Chemical Corporation’s (ChemChina) proposed merger with Swiss global agricultural company Syngenta AG would harm competition in the U.S. markets for the herbicide paraquat, the insecticide abamectin and the fungicide chlorothalonil.
Bed Bath & Beyond sued over materials in pillows
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — A Florida consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Bed Bath & Beyond, alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Navy Federal Credit Union facing class action over overdraft services
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — Two California consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against financial institution, alleging breach of contract.
FTC, District of Columbia seek to block FanDuel-Draft Kings merger
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced June 19 that his office has joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the state of California in opposing DraftKings Inc.’s merger with FanDuel Limited.
Oklahoma, other states take action against California insurance commissioner
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) — Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced June 20 that he and 11 other state attorneys general have authored a letter to California Insurance Commissioner David Jones seeking a cease and desist from requiring insurance companies to publicly disclose fossil fuel investments and urging companies to “pledge” to divest from the coal industry.
New Jersey settles with home improvement financing company over alleged consumer protection violations
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced June 22 that GreenSky Servicing LLC, a company that provides fast financing for home improvement projects, will pay $100,000 in penalties and $60,000 in consumer restitution after allegations of violating New Jersey’s consumer protection laws.
Michigan terminates state contract for Line 5 pipeline analysis with Det Norske Veritas
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced June 21 that the state has terminated its contract with Det Norske Veritas Inc., a company that was preparing a risk analysis report on the Line 5 pipeline below the Straits of Mackinac, after allegations of violating conflict of interest rules.
D.C. joins 35-state coalition opposing cable industry group petition to stop Internet laws enforcement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced June 20 that he has joined a bipartisan coalition of 35 state attorneys general opposing a petition by cable and telecom industry groups to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Kirby McInerney files suit against Conn. company
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — A New York law firm sued a Connecticut medical company, alleging breach of contract.
Texas settles with travel service business for $75,000
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced June 22 that Joseph Brandon Shirley and Randy Lee Gardner, operators of travel service businesses in the state, will pay $74,995 in consumer restitution, civil penalties and attorney fees after allegations of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act and other state statutes.
Ohio attorney general's advisory group on student loan debt collection releases findings
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney Mike DeWine announced June 22 that his advisory group on student loan debt collection issued a report on its findings.
District of Columbia, 14 state attorneys general intervene in Clean Air Council v. Pruitt case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced June 22 that he has joined a coalition of 14 state attorneys general and the city of Chicago in intervening in Clean Air Council v. Pruitt.
Space travel laws need to balance 'competing interests'; Experts weigh in
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - How does one establish proper policy and regulation without stymying innovation in the space travel industry? That’s a question scientists, legal experts and lawmakers from around the world have been working to answer since the 1960s.
Joseph Saveri Law Firm says Criden & Love sought referral fee it didn't earn
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — A law firm is suing Michael E. Criden P.A. d/b/a Criden & Love P.A., a Florida corporation, alleging breach of contract.
Oregon nonprofits sue Commerce Department, FEMA for policy that could harm environment
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — A group of nonprofit organizations is suing The U.S. Department of Commerce, Wilbur L. Ross, The National Marine Fisheries Service, Samuel D. Rauch III, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Robert Fenton, alleging violation of federal law.
Federal government and Iowa, Mississippi and Montana say DuPont-Dow merger violates Clayton Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The federal government and several states are suing The Dow Chemical Company and E.I. Du Pont De Nemours and Company, alleging the proposed merger between the two companies would violate federal law.
Arbitration the result of Calif. court's decision in TransactionPoint cases
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – On June 9, the California's First Appellate District of the Court of Appeal released its decision on the cases of homeowners who sued their brokers for receiving allegedly undisclosed kickbacks from third party services through the real estate software TransactionPoint.
EEOC sues juvenile detention center management company in Arkansas over allegations of pay discrimination
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit June 12 against G4S Youth Services Inc. for allegations of paying a female facility investigator less than it paid the male employee who formerly held the position.
Oregon House of Representatives advances public record reform legislation
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) — Oregon Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum announced June 12 that her public record reform legislation, Senate Bill 481, was unanimously advanced in the state’s House of Representatives.
Federal appeals court strikes down FCC limits on intrastate inmate calling services
TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) — Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced June 15 that a federal appeals court struck down federal limits on the price for inmate calling services.