News from May 2017
'Sale' prices on clothing lead to lawsuit
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against a clothing company, alleging negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment.
Puritan's Pride, Nature's Bounty sued over BOGO offer
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — Two California consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against a health supplement company, alleging fraud, negligent misrepresentation, unfair competition and unjust enrichment.
Amplify Snack Brands sued over sugar claims
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (Legal Newsline) — Two consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against a snacks business, alleging fraud and negligent misrepresentation.
Customer alleges Arby's failed to protect debit card data
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — A Tennessee woman has filed a class action lawsuit against Arby's, alleging breach of contract, breach of duty and negligence.
Canadian customers accuse PayPal of Ponzi scheme
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — Two Canadian customers have filed a class action lawsuit against PayPal, alleging violation of federal law.
Customer accuses Wilson Sporting Goods of mislabeleing bats
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — An Illinois man has filed a class action lawsuit against Wilson Sporting Goods, alleging negligence and negligent misrepresentation.
Jay Clayton sworn in as 32nd SEC chairman
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced May 4 that Jay Clayton has been sworn into office as the 32nd chairman of the SEC by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.
EEOC settles for $100,000 with Florida insurance broker after alleged pregnancy discrimination
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced May 3 that Brown & Brown, an insurance brokerage firm in Daytona Beach, Florida, will pay $100,000 after allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
FTC settles false claims case against regarding home opiate detox
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced May 4 that Catlin Enterprises Inc., a company that marketed itself as “the leader in home opiate detox since 2009,” and CEO George Catlin have settled FTC charges that the withdrawal treatment claims for their “withdrawal ease” and “recovery ease” products were false or unsupported by scientific evidence.
Attorney general's case against Alabama State University is closed
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Acting Alabama Attorney General Chris McCool announced May 2 that the case of alleged wrongdoing at Alabama State University (ASU) has been closed.
Customers sue legal finance company, allege interest rates over 100 percent
DUBLIN, Ga. (Legal Newsline) - Companies like Oasis Legal Finance, which offer lump sums of money to plaintiffs in exchange for a possible payoff, are used to defending the legality of their agreements to state regulators and lawmakers. But now they are facing a challenge from their own customers.
U.S. settles with merchandising company that allegedly evaded anti-dumping duties on China imports
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 1 that Importer Merchandising Concepts LP (IMC) and two individuals, Glen Michaels and Alan Lewis, will pay $275,000 to resolve allegations the company improperly evaded customs duties on imports of wooden bedroom furniture from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
EEOC targets S.C. Applebee's after alleged harassment by manager
FLORENCE, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 4 against Green Apple LLC, doing business as Applebee’s Grill and Bar, for allegedly subjecting two female employees to a sexually hostile work environment.
U.S. district court enters consent decree of permanent injunction against Syfrett Feed
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 4 that the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Syfrett Feed Company Inc. of Okeechobee, Florida, its owner and President Charles B. Syfrett I, its Vice President Melissa S. Montes De Oca and its Operations Manager Charles B. Syfrett II.
Justice Department files complaint in UnitedHealth Group lawsuit
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 2 that it has intervened and filed a complaint in a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UHG).
SEC settles for $4 million with New Jersey capital management firm for alleged Ponzi scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced May 4 that Verto Capital Management and CEO William Schantz III will pay roughly $4 million after allegations of conducting a Ponzi scheme.
Supreme Court paves the way for cities to sue banks under FHA
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Supreme Court on May 1 issued an opinion allowing the city of Miami to proceed as a homeowner under the FHA program and sue Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank for alleged discriminatory loan practices.
New York settles for $1.25 million with company that allegedly violated environmental laws
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced May 4 that Momentive Performance Materials Silicones LLC (MPM) will pay $1.25 million to resolve allegations of violating state and federal environmental laws.
Oakland environmental groups accuse EPA administrator of breach of duty
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Two Oakland environmental groups are suing the EPA administrator, alleging breach of duty and violation of federal law.
Hobby Lobby named in pricing lawsuit
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — A San Diego woman has filed a class action lawsuit against Hobby Lobby, alleging negligent misrepresentation and violation of state law.