News from November 2017
ExxonMobil to spend $300 million to install pollution control systems at Texas, Louisiana facilities
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) announced Oct. 31 that Exxon Mobil Corp. has agreed to spend roughly $300 million to install air pollution control technology at eight petrochemical facilities in Texas and Louisiana.
Justice Department, EPA secure Clean Air Act settlement with Denver's PDC Energy
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the state of Colorado announced Oct. 31 that PDC Energy Inc. agreed to resolve allegations of violating the Clean Air Act when it failed to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions at its facilities in the Denver area.
Federal court bans medical devices company from distributing certain products
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Oct. 31 that Philips North America LLC and two company executives have been banned by a federal court from distributing certain medical devices.
Justice Department requires Entercom to divest 13 radio stations before acquiring CBS Radio
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division announced Nov. 1 that Entercom Communications Corp. must divest 13 radio stations before proceeding with a plan to acquire CBS Radio Inc.
California leads coalition urging Federal Highway Administration to enforce greenhouse gas measure
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Nov. 6 that he is leading a coalition of six attorneys general in urging the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to keep and enforce the Greenhouse Gas Performance Measure.
California, New Mexico urge Trump administration to enforce Waste Prevention Rule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas announced Nov. 6 that they have urged the Trump administration to keep and enforce the Waste Prevention Rule.
Consumer board accuses Freedom Debt Relief of alleged deception
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Nov. 8 that it has filed a lawsuit against Freedom Debt Relief, the biggest debt settlement company in the United States, for allegations of deceiving consumers. The lawsuit also named co-CEO Andrew Housser as a defendant.
Maryland, D.C. attorneys general continue to seek lawsuit against Trump
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh announced Nov. 8 that they have filed a new brief in the ongoing lawsuit against President Donald Trump for allegations of violating the Emoluments Clauses.
Appellate court affirms summary judgment in PG&E wrongful termination suit
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California appellate court has affirmed a trial court’s granting of summary judgment for the defendant in a wrongful termination suit.
Court reverses Colgate-Palmolive's summary judgment in talcum powder asbestos case
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – In a decision filed Oct. 19, California’s 1st District Court of Appeals, Third Division, reversed a trial court’s summary judgment that ruled in favor of Colgate-Palmolive Co., the defendant in a case alleging the company’s products caused the plaintiff’s health problems.
California court rejects Coming and Going Rule special errand claim in fatal accident case
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The California 1st District Court of Appeals on Sept. 22 upheld an earlier trial court's decision that the company of an employee driving to his office while off-work could not be held liable for a traffic accident that killed a woman on Dec. 13, 2012.
Mont. taxpayers lose class action; Courts rule they lack standing to sue
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) – The Montana Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's ruling throwing out a potential class action suit of individuals who paid property taxes “under protest” because of alleged government deficiencies.
Miss. SC rules for man who pawned TV he rented from Rent-A-Center
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – The Mississippi Supreme Court has ruled that the rental agreement between Rent-A-Center and Brian Ray Pedigo did not compel arbitration, despite the fact that Pedigo had pawned the television he rented from them and then been jailed for it.
Georgia Supreme Court upholds trial court's ruling in legal malpractice case
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The Georgia Supreme Court on Oct. 30 ruled that a trial court did not err when it upheld the dismissal of a legal malpractice case filed by RES-GA McDonough LLC against Taylor English Duma LLP.
Pringles wants to take crunch out of potato chip class action claim
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – The makers of Pringles chips want the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California to dismiss a class action lawsuit alleging they offered false advertisements of ingredients in a flavor of chips.
Lawsuit alleging fraud, elder financial abuse at Oakmont Senior Living now back in Alameda County
OAKLAND, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A putative class action filed in September by senior citizens against a residential care facilities chain alleging fraudulent practices that deprived them of needed care and exposed them to risk of injury as part of a scheme to maximize revenue is on its way back to a California state court.
Senate urged to pass legal reform bills; Dems opposed, still mourning arbitration rule
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A two-hour hearing on frivolous lawsuits before a U.S. Senate committee may have lacked focus on pending legislation but did produce a few noteworthy moments - including Sen. Al Franken’s assertion that there are “bad actors” filing meritless lawsuits, though he is opposed to the reforms presented.
CFPB seeks order for Nexus to comply with civil investigative demand
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Two Virginia companies are alleged to have failed to comply with a federal bureau's request for information.
Individuals challenging California highway project over allegations of harm to redwood trees
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Individuals allege that a proposed highway project in California is threatening old-growth redwood trees.
Consumer claims Cree LED bulbs did not last as long as advertised lifespan
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer has filed a class action lawsuit over allegations that a brand of LED bulbs do not last as long as advertised.