News from October 2017
Crop production company accused of bypassing U.S. workers to hire foreign employees
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced a lawsuit Sept. 28 against Crop Production Services Inc. (Crop Production) for allegations of violating the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) by discriminating against U.S. workers.
New Mexico convenience store chain to pay $950,000 after alleged pregnancy discrimination
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced Sept. 25 that Allsup’s Convenience Stores Inc., which owns more than 300 convenience stores, will pay $950,000 to resolve allegations of pregnancy and disability discrimination.
Two companies banned from distributing unapproved drugs
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sept. 26 that two companies in New Jersey, as well as two individuals, have been banned from distributing injectable skin whitening drugs and other medicines that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
EEOC: Louisiana marine transportation company unjustly fired disabled employee
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a lawsuit Sept. 25 against Otto Candies LLC, alleging disability discrimination.
Massachusetts accuses used car dealership of predatory practices
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced a lawsuit Sept. 26 against used car dealership JD Byrider, alleging predatory practices.
Consumer board orders Meridian Title to pay $1.25 million after allegedly deceiving customers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Sept. 27 that it took action against Meridian Title Corporation, a real estate settlement services company, for allegations of steering consumers to an affiliated business.
D.C. secures $210,000 for residents, settles with companies allegedly engaged in illegal rental scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Sept. 27 that Daro Management Services LLC and Daro Realty LLC will pay $210,000 to long-term residents of two rent-controlled apartment buildings.
U.S. secures $760,788 after two companies allegedly repossessed vehicles of service personnel
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sept. 27 that Westlake Services LLC and subsidiary Wilshire Consumer Capital LLC will pay $760,788 after allegations of illegally repossessing 70 vehicles owned by service personnel in violation of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
Maryland seeks public input on uniform bar examination proposal
The Maryland Court of Appeals has announced the release of a report by its Advisory Committee on the potential adoption of the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) in Maryland.
Court will decide $10 billion State Dept. contract by Oct. 31
WASHINGTON - Oral arguments were held Friday at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC) in a case brought by DynCorp International against AAR Airlift Group over alleged misappropriation of trade secrets involving a high stakes government contract worth $10 billion.
Public school educators not state employees, finds Maryland Court of Special Appeals
A Maryland appellate court has determined that employees of county boards of education are not considered employees of the state in the eyes of the law.
Oasis Legal Finance claims consumer can't file class action because she waived rights in agreement
After months of loan-funding controversy, the lawsuit lending company finds itself charged again with cheating its clients.
United Airlines moves to dismiss lawsuit over death of soon-to-be world's largest rabbit
The airline, which has come under fire several times this calendar year, has moved to dismiss a lawsuit brought against the company over the loss of a rabbit on a transatlantic flight. The rabbit, named Simon, allegedly died during the trip and was cremated by the airline without the owners' authorization.
New York court sends question in 9/11 responders, NFL players case to Pennsylvania court
A question in a lawsuit against a legal funding company that allegedly scammed 9/11 responders and former NFL players has swapped judges’ hands.
Motion to stay filed in FDA nutritional guide lawsuit
Two motions have been filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in a matter between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and two independent science groups over the alleged lack of enforcement in providing consumers with nutritional facts at food establishments.
Anne Arundel students visit court for educational program on legal consequences
Approximately 140 high school students from Anne Arundel County are set to attend the Schools in the Court program at the Anne Arundel County District Court in Annapolis.
Missouri Congresswoman’s bill would kill DOL’s fiduciary rule, create best interest standard for broker-dealers
U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, a Republican, introduced The Protecting Advice for Small Savers, or PASS, Act of 2017 last week.
Arbitration ban would boost credit costs 25 percent, federal analysis finds
A rule banning mandatory arbitration in consumer financial agreements would raise the cost of consumer credit by nearly 3.5 percent annually, a newly released federal analysis says.
FTC settles with company that allegedly falsely said baby mattresses were 'organic'
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Sept. 28 that Moonlight Slumber LLC, an Illinois company that markets baby mattresses, will settle allegations that it misrepresented its products to consumers.
EEOC: Whataburger management in Florida allegedly sought to only hire white applicants
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a lawsuit Sept. 25 against Whataburger Restaurants LLC, a national fast food chain, for allegedly retaliating against a white restaurant manager who opposed an upper management directive to hire only white applicants.