News from March 2017
Nationstar Mortgage fined $1.75 million over alleged reporting errors
Nationstar Mortgage LLC has been ordered by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to pay a record $1.75 million for allegedly failing to report mortgage transaction data.
D.C. attorney general backs legislation to better protect consumers
District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine has submitted legislation to the Council of the District of Columbia to better protect D.C. consumers from fraud and other abuses.
Kansas attorney general files suit against three individuals for allegedly rigging lottery tickets
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt recently filed lawsuits against three individuals for allegedly submitting false or fraudulent claims for Kansas Lottery payments.
California court orders gas station owners to pay $3 million in civil penalties
Several gas station owners operating underground storage tanks around Northern California have been ordered to pay $3 million in civil penalties stemming from environmental violations, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has announced.
Lawsuit alleges almond milk maker exaggerated nutrition content
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against the maker of an almond milk product, alleging the beverage was misleadingly marketed as nondairy drink with the same nutrition as cow's milk.
Hawaiian beer called deceptive in lawsuit
Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against several breweries and related companies for allegedly misleading buyers into thinking that certain beer brands are brewed in Hawaii.
Student loan assistance agency accused of misleading borrowers
A Texas resident has filed a class-action lawsuit against one of the nation's biggest servicers of student loans, citing alleged breach of contract.
Coconut water the focus of class action lawsuit
A consumer has filed a class-action lawsuit against the maker of a beverage marketed as coconut water, alleging the drink was misleadingly labeled because it contains no coconut water at all and has no coconut health benefits.
Woman sues Blistex, alleges defective tube design
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — A California woman is suing Blistex Inc. over allegations that the company's lip ointment containers render nearly a quarter of the ointment inaccessible to consumers.
Juror sues JP Morgan over debit card payment system
A man selected for jury service has filed a class action lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase & Co., alleging that the financial institution's debit cards that were used to pay jurors resulted in unfair fees.
Suit against Whirlpool alleges defective self-cleaning ovens
A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Whirlpool Corp., alleging that the appliance manufacturer's ovens have defective high-temperature cleaning systems.
Uber, Lyft drivers' lawsuit tries to void Seattle ordinance
Uber and Lyft drivers are suing the city of Seattle's Department of Finance and Administrative Services, as well as the agency's director, over a new city new ordinance that regulates how the for-hire drivers can operate in the city.
Defendants settle Massachusetts case involving allegations of illegal disposing of asbestos-containing waste
Maura Healey, Massachusetts attorney general, announced on March 17 that
a group of defendants involved in a sewer pipe replacement project in Framingham will pay a total of $385,000 after allegedly allowing asbestos-containing soil and waste to be illegally disposed of behind a Milford home.
Mass.-based candy store chain to pay $37,363 for alleged labor law violations
Three Total Sugar stores and the candy store chain's only corporate officer will pay $37,363 in restitution and penalties after allegedly violating labor laws in the state, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has announced.
Impostor scams outpace identity theft cases, FTC finds
Imposter scam complaints surpassed identity theft as the second most common class of consumer complaints in 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said in an annual summary report.
Texas firm will stop claiming pulley systems are 'Made in USA'
Block Division Inc., a Texas-based distributor of pulley block systems, agreed to stop making misleading claims that its products were made in the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said.
Texas attorney general challenges federal methane gas rule
Ken Paxton, Texas attorney general, filed a motion on March 21 to intervene in a lawsuit challenging a new rule by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
FTC settles advance fee complaint with debt-relief firm
A debt-relief company and its principals have been banned from misleading consumers and charging illegal advance fees under a settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Candy maker accused of shortchanging customers
A consumer has filed a classaction lawsuit against a Pennsylvania candy manufacturer for allegedly shortchanging buyers on the amount of candy in its packages.
Lawsuit alleges fruit snack labels contain false health claims
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against the makers of Mott's fruit snacks, alleging that the foods are marketed as healthy for kids when they actually contain mostly corn syrup, a corn starch product and sugar.