News from November 2017
EPA: Seattle seafood company agrees to replace ozone-depleting refrigerants
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Nov. 16 that U.S. Seafoods of Seattle has agreed to pay $135,000, implement enhanced leak detection practices and replace freezer equipment after allegations the company violated the Clean Air Act after two fish processing vessels released ozone-depleting substances into the air.
Georgia secures nearly $200,000 for consumers harmed in predatory title lending scheme
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced Nov. 15 that First American Title Lending of Georgia LLC (First American) agreed to pay $196,573.69 in consumer restitution and $25,000 in penalties after allegations of violating the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act and the Georgia laws governing title pawns.
GM files motion to dismiss second amended complaint in class action over engines
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – General Motors has filed a motion to dismiss with prejudice the second amended complaint brought against it in a class action suit.
Louisiana high court cuts punitive damages down to $4.25 million in wrongful death case
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – The Louisiana Supreme Court amended a wrongful death judgment by nearly $20 million, citing that the punitive damage award was "excessive."
Richard Cordray won't be around to see the court decision that would have got him fired
Richard J. Andreano Jr., an attorney at Ballard Spahr LLP, said the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia’s pending decision in PHH Corporation v. CFPB, which could be handed down any day, likely will strongly influence how other courts address the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau structure issue.
Maryland adopts uniform bar exam starting 2019
The Maryland Court of Appeals has decided to adopt the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), as recommended by the Advisory Committee to Explore the Feasibility of Maryland’s Adoption of the UBE.
Judge dismisses part of class action over Len & Larry’s Complete Cookies
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A Illinois federal judge has granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss a national and multi-state class action lawsuit brought against Len & Larry’s Inc. that alleged false and deceptive marketing of their The Complete Cookie protein and health food products, but has affirmed the plaintiffs can sue in their respective states.
Truffle oil class action in private mediation
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A class action filed last spring against truffles oil manufacturer Sabatino Truffles New York claiming the company's oil was infused with perfume and not truffles is now is in private mediation, according to a recent court order.
Juror-turned-plaintiff loses suit after slipping on Delaware courthouse ice
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) – A lawsuit filed by a woman against the state of Delaware Office of Management and Budget who sought damages after slipping on ice in a courthouse parking lot was turned back on Oct. 30. The Delaware Superior Court ruled the state was immune from liability.
Virginia companies' lawsuit accuses CFPB of regulatory overreach
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Two Virginia companies are suing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over its investigatory practices, alleging that the federal agency exceeded its authority and engaged in bullying tactics.
Fighting multiple fronts, Comcast awaits patent decision that could raise prices
Last week, the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a notice stating it has extended the “target date” for the completion of its investigation to Nov. 16.
Checkers Drive-In Restaurants Inc. alleged to have sent unwanted text advertisements
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A Louisiana citizen has filed a class action lawsuit against a fast food restaurant over allegations it and another business sent text messages to consumers without consent.
Facebook sues IRS for allegedly denying access to independent administrative forum
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Social media giant Facebook Inc. has filed a suit against Internal Revenue Service regarding its taxes.
Thread count on bedding purchased at Macy's was less than advertised, consumers claim
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) – Two consumers allege that the thread count of the bedding they purchased from Macy's was less than what was advertised.
Illinois Condo owners allege they were charged excessive fees for disclosure documents
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Condominium owners in Illinois allege they were unlawfully charged hundreds in fees for paper work they needed to sell their condos.
Condo owners in Illinois claim they were charged excessive fees for documents
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Condominium owners have filed a class action lawsuit over allegations that they were charged unlawful and excessive fees for the documents needed to close on the sales of their condos by a property management company.
Class action filed against WPA Intelligence over calls
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A Wheeling, West Virginia, woman alleges a business headquartered in Washington, D.C., caused her injuries with "obnoxious" and "annoying" phone calls.
Microsoft, Princeton University challenging DACA decision
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Microsoft and Princeton University are among those challenging the federal government's rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, arguing that they have invested significant resources in the individuals known as Dreamers.
Feds seek to recover cleanup costs from Ohio chemical company
AKRON, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – The federal government is seeking to recover costs associated with environmental cleanup at a facility in Dover, Ohio.
McDonald's sued over chicken fillet; Plaintiff says they are not 100% breast meat
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A New York consumer claims that he paid a premium price for a chicken product at McDonald's that is misrepresented as being 100 percent chicken breast.