News from May 2017
New York settles with nonprofit housing organization after allegations of discrimination
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a settlement agreement May 17 with the German American Settlement League (GASL) after allegations the nonprofit organization committed housing discrimination on the basis of race and national origin.
Environmental law group sues EPA over use of Lake Erie
TOLEDO, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — An environmental law group is suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and officials, alleging violation of federal law.
American Law Institute puts off vote on Restatement of liability insurance law for a year
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - In the face of withering criticism from the insurance industry, state officials, and most recently, counsel for some of the country’s largest corporations, the American Law Institute (ALI) yesterday decided to delay a vote on a Restatement of the Law covering liability insurance for a year. The now delayed project was scheduled for discussion before the full ALI body today.
Hershey's files motion to dismiss lawsuit over amount of Reese's Pieces, Whoppers in boxes
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – The Hershey Co. filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit that was brought against the chocolate manufacturer and distributor over alleged false advertisement and violation of the Missouri’s Merchandising Practices Act (MMPA).
Facing motion to dismiss, 'serial litigant' drops case over tortilla chips
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) – The plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against a tortilla chip manufacturer has voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit.
Cookie company picks apart lawsuit over nutrition info
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A cookie manufacturer facing a class action lawsuit has filed a motion for dismissal, alleging conflict of multiple state laws and statute requirements.
Stockholder alleges coal and coke company, board members broke law
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — A common stockholder has filed a class action lawsuit against a Chinese coal and coke company, alleging violation of federal law.
Massachusetts settles with three construction companies that allegedly violated wage laws
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced May 15 that three construction companies in the state will pay more than $600,000 for allegations of failing to pay the proper prevailing wage rate to employees for work performed on public projects.
Texas wastewater treatment facility to improve pollution controls
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced May 17 that Vopak Terminal Deer Park Inc. and Vopak Logistics Services USA Inc., have agreed to settle allegations of violating federal and state clean air laws.
U.S. OKs $34,000 settlement with Missouri health care providers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 18 that two southwest Missouri health care providers will pay $34,000 after allegations of violating the False Claims Act through the creation of improper financial relationships with referring physicians.
Sued over sugar in jelly beans, Jelly Belly's response: 'This is nonsense'
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) - A lawsuit filed by a woman who says she was misled into buying Jelly Belly's exercise jelly bean is not uncommon, one attorney says, but it is
New York settles with Buffalo landlord who allegedly allowed unruly parties
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a consent decree May 18 with Jeremy Dunn, a landlord who controls a number of properties on Winspear Avenue and Northrup Place in University Heights, a residential neighborhood in Buffalo.
Federal court grants FTC lien on Florida home in alleged precious metals scam
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced May 18 that a federal court has granted its request for a lien on the Florida home of Sam J. Goldman, the alleged operator of a precious metals scam conning senior citizens.
Montana federal jury returns $37,000 verdict against landlord who allegedly charged illegal fee
BUTTE, Mont. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 17 that a federal jury in Butte, Montana, has returned a $37,343 verdict against a Bozeman, Montana, landlord for charging a $1,000 fee to a tenant with physical and psychiatric disabilities for having a service animal.
EEOC settles with summer camp for $70,000 after allegations of pregnancy discrimination
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced May 17 that Carolina Creek Christian Camp Inc., a business that offers summer camping and retreats in Huntsville, Texas, will pay $70,000 after allegations of pregnancy and disability discrimination.
U.S. settles with Washington food processing facility after discrimination allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 21 that Washington Potato Company and Pasco Processing LLC has agreed to pay $225,750 and change its business practices to settle allegations of discriminating against lawful permanent residents in their hiring practices.
EEOC seeks injunctive relief against Ruby Tuesday
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 17 against Ruby Tuesday Inc., a national casual dining restaurant chain, for allegations of age discrimination.
Connecticut alleges EPA has failed to act on anti-pollution petition
HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen announced May 17 that his office has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), alleging it is failing to take timely action on a petition from Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Justice Department files second complaint against UnitedHealth Group alleging Medicare fraud
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 16 that has it filed a second complaint against UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UHG) for allegations of knowingly obtaining inflated risk adjustment payments based on untruthful and inaccurate information about its UHG’s Medicare Advantage plan beneficiaries and their health statuses.
Insurance officials, business defense urge delay in vote of liability insurance Restatement
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - Business attorneys, state insurance regulators and state lawmakers are so troubled over an impending final vote on a proposed Restatement of law covering liability insurance that they are urging American Law Institute (ALI) officials to delay it, and consider making significant changes to the document.