News from September 2017
Miss. reporter, newspaper win court battle over closed-door city council meetings
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – The Mississippi Supreme Court has affirmed a decision that the mayor of the city of Columbus and its city council violated the Open Meetings Act by holding private meetings to discuss economic issues and building renovations in a manner intended to avoid requirements of the Act.
Ninth Circuit declines to debar lawyer from submitting claims to asbestos trusts
California attorney Michael Mandelbrot appealed from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California’s affirmance of an order that enforces a stipulated agreement between him and the J.T. Thorpe Settlement Trust, among others. The trusts, following an investigation, had concluded that Mandelbrot engaged in a pattern of submitting “unreliable evidence.”
EEOC alleges Chicago electric company fired employee due to age
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 19 against S&C Electric Co. in Chicago for allegations of firing an employee due to age and disability.
Michigan Tim Hortons franchise pays $22,500 penalty after alleged religious discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that a Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop franchise in Michigan will pay $22,500 to resolve allegations of religious discrimination.
EEOC: 2 Illinois IHOP franchises allegedly allowed sexual harassment against female employees
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 19 against two related International House of Pancakes (IHOP) franchises for allegations of sexual harassment against numerous female employees and a male employee.
EEOC: Texas medical practice allegedly forces employees to participate in religious activities
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 20 against Shepherd Healthcare, a medical practice in Lewisville, Texas, for allegations of firing an employee for repeatedly requesting to be excused from a daily morning Bible study.
EEOC alleges Chicago fashion stores discriminated against African-American, Hispanic employees
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 18 against City Sports, a chain of fashion stores with more than 20 locations in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, for allegations of failing to hire and promote African-Americans and Hispanics into management positions in favor of Koreans.
EEOC accuses Indiana nursing home of discrimination
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 20 against a nursing home in Evansville, Indiana, for allegations of acceding to resident requests for non-black caregivers.
EEOC charges Phoenix staffing agency with disability discrimination against job applicants
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 19 against Phoenix staffing agency All Star Priority Staffing LLC for allegations of forcing applicants seeking temporary employment to fill out an invasive medical questionnaire before they could receive job offers.
Tuna fish eaters claim Starkist underfills cans
PORTLAND, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – An Oregon consumer and a California consumer allege that a brand of canned tuna contains less that what is listed on the label.
Animation Sharks alleged to have sent fax advertisement to individual without authorization
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – An Illinois individual claims that a Los Angeles company unlawfully sent her a fax advertisement.
Government alleges Custompax Inc. failed to conduct appropriate tests on supplements
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A dietary supplement manufacturer and distributor in Fremont, California, is alleged to have introduced adulterated products into commerce.
Tennesseans for Sensible Election Laws challenges state code regulating contributions
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Legal Newsline) – A nonprofit group in Tennessee is seeking to declare that a state code regarding campaign donations is unconstitutional.
Suit filed against YummyEarth over listing of evaporated cane juice on product labels
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer alleges the labeling on YumEarth Organics Vitamin C pops is deceptive because it lists evaporated cane juice instead of sugar.
Consumer alleges reference price used at Fossil Outlet stores is false
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A San Diego man alleges an outlet store uses a fraudulent business practice known as false reference pricing to make it seem that consumers are getting a discount.
Court dismisses parents' complaint against New Jersey school district over alleged cyberbullying email
HACKENSACK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey judge has granted summary judgment on behalf of a Bergen County school district in a case involving alleged student cyberbullying.
Family of woman killed in Alaska house fire lose case for filing nine days after statute ran out
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – The family of a woman who was killed in a house fire lost their suit against their neighbor due to filing the complaint after the statute of limitations had run out.
Massachusetts attorney general to target Equifax after massive data breach
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Sept. 12 that her office intends to sue Equifax Inc. due to its alleged failure to protect sensitive and personal information of roughly three million consumers in the state.
EEOC targets Wynn Las Vegas for alleged disability discrimination
LAS VEGAS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Sept. 14 against the Wynn Las Vegas hotel/casino for allegations of denying medical leave to and firing an employee because of her disability.
Court denies Tradewinds' second motion to dismiss case over 'all natural' label
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – U.S. District Judge for the Central District of California Philip S. Gutierrez has denied an iced tea maker’s motion to dismiss a first amended consolidated complaint. The court ruled Sept. 5.