News from 2017
Oregon SC turns back challenge to safe harbor provision
SALEM, Ore. (Legal Newsline) – The Oregon Supreme Court has affirmed a decision against a motorist who challenged Oregon's safe harbor statute in an attempt to have insurance provider Progressive Classic Insurance Co. cover his attorney fees.
Ohio Supreme Court grants charity tax exemption to certain dialysis centers
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – On June 15, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that Dayton dialysis centers engaged in charity work are entitled to a partial property tax exemption.
Judge allows $250K verdict to stand in EEOC's case against Costco
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – An Illinois federal judge recently denied motions made by Costco Wholesale Corp. and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
SEC charges Canadian energy company with accounting fraud
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced June 28 that Penn West Petroleum Ltd. and three former top finance executives have been charged with accounting fraud.
New York secures settlement with national high school sports scouting company
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced June 23 that National Scouting Report Inc. (NSR) will pay more than $20,000 and reform its business practices after allegations of lying to clients through improper sales and advertising practices.
District of Columbia settles with in-home cleaning company
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced June 28 that his office has obtained restitution for consumers after a settlement with Handy Technologies.
FTC announces settlements in massive telemarketing fraud case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 26 that seven individuals and eight companies they control will settle allegations of conducting a deceptive telemarketing scheme that bilked consumers out of millions of dollars.
Rhode Island mortgage fraud bill advances in House, Senate
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced June 29 that his legislation prohibiting illegal practices in the mortgage industry has been advanced by both the state House and Senate, and will go before Gov. Gina Raimondo's desk for signature.
FTC charges North Carolina debt collection operation with taking money from consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 23 that it charged Anthony Swatsworth, ACDI Group LLC, and Solutions to Portfolios LLC (ACDI) with allegations of taking money from consumers for fake debts the consumers did not actually owe.
EEOC settles with New York pizza chain that allegedly committed discrimination
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced June 22 that Antonella’s Restaurant & Pizzeria Inc., JTA Inc., and Dellicap LLC, doing business as Grand Centro Grill (collectively, Antonella’s) will pay $50,000 and change company practices after allegations of national origin discrimination.
Federal government, Colorado accuse PDC Energy of violating environmental law
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Colorado, on behalf of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), announced June 26 the filing of a civil complaint against PDC Energy Inc. (PDC) for allegations of environmental law violations.
FTC seeks public comment on application by Grifols to amend 2011 divestiture agreement
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced June 28 that it is currently accepting public comments on an application by Grifols S.A., a manufacturer of plasma-derived drugs, to amend the terms of a manufacturing agreement that was part of a 2011 FTC-ordered divestiture.
Maryland secures $200,000 settlement with real estate company in deceptive advertisement case
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh announced June 29 that his Consumer Protection Division has entered into a settlement with Deep Creek Mountain Land Company LLC, NLP of Maryland LLC, and Harry Patten (together, “NLP”), that resolves allegations of deceptive advertisements and misleading consumers.
Arizona targets local jet ski rental company for alleged deception
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced June 27 that his office has filed a lawsuit against Malows Jet Ski Rentals LLC, and its owner Fariba Badre and manager Mahriar Akbari, for alleged consumer fraud.
Montana seeks to intervene in multistate lawsuit over Interior Department coal leases
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) — Montana Attorney General Tim Fox announced June 29 that he has filed for intervention on behalf of Montana in a lawsuit filed in federal court against the U.S. Department of the Interior.
New York attorney general leads amicus brief in sexual orientation harassment case
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced June 27 that he has led an amicus brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, arguing that Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act bars discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation.
U.S. secures $1.2 million settlement from Tennessee doctors after alleged violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced June 27 that Dr. Anindya Sen and Patricia Posey Sen will pay $1.208 million to resolve state and federal False Claims Act allegations.
GE agrees to divest GE Water to complete transaction with Baker Hughes
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — Baker Hughes Incorporated and General Electric Company announced June 12 that they have reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to continue their proposed transaction.
California attorney general urges U.S. Senate to oppose Regulatory Accountability Act
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced June 28 that he has drafted a letter urging U.S. Senate leaders to oppose legislation that would halt the federal regulatory process and obstruct the implementation of laws aimed at protecting consumers from predatory companies, toxic chemicals and more.
Justice Department secures $400K settlement with Panda Express
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced June 28 that Panda Restaurant Group Inc. (Panda Express), a restaurant chain with more than 1,800 locations across the country, will settle allegations of discriminating against non-U.S. citizens in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) when re-verifying their permission to work.