News from November 2017
New York settles with real estate group that allegedly victimized low-income tenants
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Nov. 3 a settlement has been reached with a group of real estate defendants that allegedly violated anti-harassment laws at three rent-stabilized buildings in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn.
EPA: Boston sand, gravel company to pay $120,000 after alleged Clean Air Act violations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Nov. 3 that sand and gravel company Kimball Sand will pay $120,000 and reduce hazardous air pollution emissions after a recent settlement.
New York secures $42,000 in restitution for consumers victimized by contractor
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Nov. 7 that a Roshester-based contractor named Brian Robinson will pay $42,085 in consumer restitution and $50,000 in penalties and costs after allegations of bilking consumers out of thousands of dollars.
U.S. secures $1.25 million from nursing home operators after False Claims Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Nov. 16 it had settled for $1.25 million with a group of Mississippi companies after allegations of violating the False Claims Act by providing grossly substandard care to nursing home residents at the Oxford Health and Rehabilitation nursing home in Lumberton, Mississippi, from 2005 to 2012.
FTC approves Abbot's acquisition of Alere after significant divestitures
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Nov. 14 that it had approved a final order that will remedy the anti-competitive effects that could have came about had Abbot’s $8.3 billion acquisition of Alere gone unchecked.
FTC reaches settlement with operators of massive online dietary supplement scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Nov. 15 it had reached a settlement with a large network of online marketers and the three people behind them after allegations they deceived consumers in the sale of more than 40 weight-loss, muscle-building, and wrinkle-reduction products.
Housing Authority of Bridgeport allegedly discriminated against people with disabilities
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced a lawsuit Nov. 15 against the Housing Authority of the city of Bridgeport, doing business as Park City Communities, for allegations of discriminating against persons with disabilities.
EEOC: Pizza chain to pay penalties for alleged Equal Pay Act violations
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Nov. 19 that Pizza Studio in Kansas violated the Equal Pay Act as per a federal district court judgment.
San Diego pharmacy chain settles sex discrimination allegations with $60,000 EEOC penalty
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Nov. 13 that CJMBS Pharmacies Inc., a pharmacy chain in northern San Diego County that does business as Community Pharmacy, agreed to a $60,000 settlement after allegations of sex discrimination and retaliation.
EEOC: Companies cannot make pre-job offer health inquiries to applicants
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Nov. 14 that Strataforce, a staffing firm operating in California, Indiana, North Carolina and South Carolina, will resolve allegations of making pre-offer health inquiries of applicants.
EEOC: Female sales representative of California company receives $105,000 in equal pay case
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Nov. 15 that Spec Formliners in Santa Ana, California, has agreed to a $105,000 settlement after allegations of equal pay violations.
FTC supports Tennessee exemption for animal massage therapy competition benefits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Nov. 16 that agency staff-submitted comments to the Tennessee General Assembly supporting a state law exemption for animal massage therapy.
Illinois federal court asked to dismiss woman’s amended complaint alleging Spokeo search engine ad violated privacy
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is being asked by Spokeo to dismiss an amended complaint made by an Illinois woman alleging that an advertisement produced by the internet search engine listing her name violated her privacy under the Illinois Right of Publicity Act (IRPA).
U.S. secures additional $4.5 million for service members affected by alleged Wells Fargo violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Nov. 14 that more than 860 service members will be entitled to an additional $5.4 million in relief after allegations of unlawful vehicle repossessions by Wells Fargo Bank NA.
Arizona seeks to protect small businesses from company filing predatory lawsuits
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Nov. 9 that Advocates for Individuals with Disabilities (AID) will be banned from filing allegedly frivolous lawsuits against businesses in the state.
Consumer board alleges financial company collected on loans not owed
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced a lawsuit Nov. 15 against Think Finance for allegedly deceiving consumers into repaying loans that they never actually owed.
New York targets alleged deceptive Syracuse real estate scheme
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced a lawsuit Nov. 15 against Joseph Funding Company Inc. and owners Rebecca Ausby and Joseph Holman for allegations of tricking consumers into signing over ownership of their homes.
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.