News from May 2017
Alabama backs Supreme Court's decision to uphold state's PAC-to-PAC transfer ban
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Alabama Attorney General Steven T. Marshall announced April 25 that he supports the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reject a challenge to Alabama’s PAC-to-PAC transfer ban.
California joins multistate coalition opposing Education Department's rollback of student loan reforms
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 24 that he has joined a multistate coalition in calling out the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The coalition alleges the DOE is abdicating its responsibility to millions of student loan borrowers.
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California, New Mexico challenge Interior Department for delaying Valuation Rule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced April 27 that he has joined New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas in suing the U.S. Department of the Interior for delaying the implementation of a rule designed to help taxpayers receive fair royalties from companies that extract oil, gas, and coal from federal lands.
Consumer board settles with auto lender for $1.25 million after allegations of violating consent order
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced April 26 that it has ordered Security National Automotive Acceptance Company (SNAAC), an auto lender specializing in loans to service members, to pay $1.25 million and make good on a previous consent order after the company allegedly violated a CFPB consent order.
Baylor University says complaint made by employee fired during sexual assault controversy is 'pure fiction'
WACO, Texas (Legal Newsline) – Baylor University is requesting a lawsuit filed by a former employee who was fired amid a student's sexual assault controversy to be thrown out.
Shareholder derivative lawsuit filed against Tesla board of directors
The plaintiffs allege, according to a motion for permission to file under seal, violations of federal securities laws and state laws.
Indiana high court dismisses damages claims against gun seller filed by shot cop
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – A firearms dealer isn’t completely off the hook after it sold a gun that later was used against a police officer, but it has avoided paying compensation to an injured police officer, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled on April 24.
Advance Registered Nurse Practitioners can offer expert testimony in Wash. med-mal cases
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that medical malpractice litigants can offer the expert testimony of advanced registered nurse practitioners.
Indiana Supreme Court overturns lower court ruling in question of safe workplace duty case
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – The Indiana Supreme Court has reversed the decision of a lower court in a case that questions who has the responsibility to ensure a safe workplace when it comes to subcontractors.
UMS student missed filing deadline in slip-and-fall case, Maine's high court rules
PORTLAND, Maine (Legal Newsline) – A University of Maine System student waited too long to file a notice of claim after being insured in a slip-and-fall on campus, the state's highest court ruled recently in affirming a lower court ruling.
Calif. court cites exception, rules Save Our Heritage Organisation should not pay attorneys fees
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A San Diego committee that appealed a denial for award of attorney fees lost again when an appellate court found it to be ineligible due to the nature of the case.
Contempt motion not appropriate after non-payment, Conn. SC rules
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – A decision denying a Connecticut hospital’s motion for contempt of court for non-payment was recently affirmed by the state's high court recently.
Miss. AG, with the help of outside attorneys, sues pharma companies over allegedly unapproved drugs
Attorney General Jim Hood filed six separate lawsuits against the defendant companies in Hinds County Chancery Court last month. The companies have since asked the lawsuits to be removed to federal court, arguing the attorney general’s complaints require the determination of issues of federal law.
Wash. state appeals court finds for veterinarian in lawsuit brought over dog’s euthanization
The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division 3, in its slip opinion published March 21, affirmed the denial of the dog owner’s emotional distress damages.
Georgia consumer alleges health information business violated contract
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — A Georgia woman has filed a class action lawsuit against a health information business, alleging breach of contract.
U.S. settles with Pacific Pulmonary for $11.4 million over alleged False Claims Act violations
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 24 that Braden Partners L.P., doing business as Pacific Pulmonary Services, will pay $11.4 million to settle allegations that it and its general partner, Teijin Pharma USA LLC, violated the False Claims Act by submitting claims for reimbursement to Medicare.
IU Health, HealthNet pay $18 million to resolve kickback scheme allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 27 that Indiana University Health Inc. (IU Health) and HealthNet Inc. will pay a total of $18 million after allegations of federal and state false claims. The defendant purportedly engaged in an illegal kickback scheme.
FTC OKs Sycamore Partners' sale of former Family Dollar stores to Dollar General
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced April 27 that, following a 15-day public comment period, it has approved Sycamore Partners II L.P.’s application to sell to Dollar General Corporation the assets it acquired under a 2015 FTC settlement.
Baltimore hospital settles allegations of disability discrimination with $180,000 payment
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced April 27 that Harbor Hospital Inc., trading as MedStar Hospital, will pay $179,576 after allegations of federal disability discrimination.
New York urges Trump administration to reconfirm commitment to Paris climate accord
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced April 25 that he has joined a coalition of 14 attorneys general in urging President Trump to reconfirm the Unites States’ commitment to and cooperation with the Paris Climate Agreement.