News from September 2017
Justice Department settles housing discrimination case against Indiana city
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sept. 14 that the Housing Authority of the city of Anderson, Indiana, which owns and operates 143 public housing units in the city, after allegations of discrimination against residents based on sex and disability.
California leads coalition suing Trump administration over fuel efficiency standard delays
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Sept. 11 that he is leading a coalition of five attorneys general suing the Trump administration for its allegedly illegal delay of a fuel efficiency standards rule.
Doctor fighting sexual abuse lawsuit doesn't have to turn over previous complaint
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – The Alabama Supreme Court has granted a petition filed by a doctor who didn't feel required to turn over a sexual abuse complaint to a separate patient who sued him.
U.S. settles with two N.Y. hospitals for $4 million after alleged False Claims Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sept. 13 that MediSys Health Network Inc., which owns and operates Jamaica Hospital Medical Center and Flushing Hospital and Medical Center, two hospitals in Queens, New York, will pay $4 million after allegations of violating the False Claims Act via improper financial relationships with physicians.
U.S. accuses former head of Deutsche Bank subprime lending of fraud
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sept. 11 that it has filed a lawsuit against Paul Mangione, former Deutsche Bank head of subprime trading.
Car insurers don't have to pay out after man shot in car
PORTLAND, Maine (Legal Newsline) – The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has upheld a ruling that car insurance companies named as defendants in a lawsuit are not responsible for paying recovery fees to the parents of a man who died in a vehicle from gunshot wounds.
Calif. court shapes class action against Gel Spice, Big Lots over lead content
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ordered to grant in part and deny in part a motion to dismiss and strike filed by Gel Spice Co. Inc. and Big Lots Stores Inc. over the allegedly high lead content in turmeric products.
Judge rules for asbestos lawyers, trusts facing investigation from state AGs
A judge has dismissed a complaint from a number of states that the four biggest asbestos trusts failed to answer claims they were mismanaging the funds and failed to reimburse Medicare and Medicaid costs, Legal Newsline has found.
Insel Air moves to dismiss traveler's suit over $80 exit tax
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – Insel Air International and Insel Air Aruba N.C., defendants in a class action lawsuit brought by Hector G. Saade, filed a motion to dismiss with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on July 24.
FTC announces streamlining requirements for fur, textile, wool labeling rules
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Sept. 15 that it will streamline requirements under the fur, textile and wool labeling rules as part of acting chairwoman Maureen K. Ohlhausen’s regulatory reform agenda.
District court partially denies MGM's motion to dismiss gift card suit
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington has rejected in part MGM’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit over gift card fees.
EEOC accuses Los Angeles restaurant of pregnancy discrimination
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 12 against LA Louisanne Inc., a restaurant and jazz night club in Los Angeles, for allegations of discharging an employee because of her pregnancy.
EEOC settles for $100,000 with Mississippi medical center in disability discrimination case
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Sept. 13 that Vicksburg Healthcare LLC, doing business as River Region Medical Center, will pay $100,000 after allegations of federal disability discrimination.
FTC settles for $2.5 million in marketing deception case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Sept. 13 that a group of online marketers will pay more than $2.5 million to settle FTC allegations of deceiving consumers with “free’ and “risk-free” trials for cooking and golfing products.
EEOC: Memphis cruise company fired employee for supporting coworker's harassment claims
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 13 against American Queen Steamboat Company, a cruise company based in Memphis, for allegations of firing an employee after he supported a coworker’s sexual harassment complaint.
EEOC alleges Virginia shipbuilding company discriminated against hearing-impaired applicant
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 13 against Huntington Ingalls Inc., a shipbuilding company in Newport News, for allegations of refusing to hire a pipefitter after discovering his hearing impairment.
FTC settles with three companies that allegedly misled consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Sept. 8 that three companies have agreed to settle allegations of misleading consumers about their participation in the European Union-United States Privacy Shield framework.
EEOC alleges Georgia grocery store owner harassed 3 black employees
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 14 against G.N.T. Inc., doing business as GNT Foods and operating a grocery store in East Point, Goergia, for allegations of subjecting three African-American employees to a racially hostile work environment.
SEC alleges SunTrust subsidiary made improper recommendations to clients
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Sept. 14 that it has charged the investment services subsidiary of SunTrust Banks with improperly collecting more than $1.1 million in avoidable fees from clients.
Maryland Judiciary expands free legal help with new walk-in center in Baltimore
The Maryland Judiciary is set to enhance its services for Baltimore residents dealing with civil legal issues in District Court.