News from 2017
Plain Green LLC, Great Plains Lending LLC accused of charging interest rates of more than 100 percent
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) – Three Virginia consumers allege they were charged excessive interest rates on loans.
Massachusetts joins coalition challenging EPA delay
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced July 25 that she has joined a coalition of 11 attorneys general in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to challenge the agency’s allegedly unlawful delay of a rule providing vital protections to communities living near facilities housing dangerous chemicals.
Massachusetts accuses oil tank removal company of hazardous waste law violations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced a lawsuit July 25 against Commonwealth Tank Inc. (CommTank) and President Kevin Hoag for allegations of illegally generating and storing hazardous waste and discharging pollutants into an unpermitted well at its facility.
Oklahoma sues four major opioid manufacturers, alleges responsibility for public health crisis
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) — Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter announced June 30 that his office has filed a lawsuit against the four leading manufacturers of opioid pain medication in the United States, for allegations of deceptive marketing that helped advance the country’s opioid epidemic.
Arizona settles with company that allegedly targeted local businesses in fraud scheme
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced July 27 that Mandatory Poster Agency Inc. and its owners will pay $175,000 in restitution to Arizona businesses after allegations it sent government “Annual Minutes" lookalike mailers.
California appeal court sides with defendants in product liability case against The Raymond Co.
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – California’s 4th District Court of Appeal has overturned a grant of summary judgment in a product liability case.
Wash. Supreme Court sides with Seattle in landmark ordinance case against UW
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – The University of Washington must follow the city of Seattle’s landmark law, according to a ruling by the Washington state Supreme Court.
Mass. AG: Law firm clogged courts with more than 200K lawsuits
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced July 27 that Lustig, Glaser & Wilson PC and its two principals, Ronald E. Lustig and Kenneth C. Wilson, will pay $1 million in restitution after allegations of widespread consumer abuses that impacted thousands of consumers in the state.
Puerto Rico steakhouse agrees to EEOC settlement regarding age discrimination allegations
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 24 that Meat Market LLC, a steakhouse in San Juan, Puerto Rico, will pay a monetary amount to unsuccessful job applicants and better maintain a workplace free from discrimination after allegations of age discrimination.
MagnaCare to return $14.5 million to ERISA-covered health plans after alleged violations
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced July 25 that MagnaCare LLC will return at least $14.5 million to health benefit plans covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) after allegations of ERISA violations.
EEOC targets New York trucking company for alleged disability discrimination
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 27 against Regional International Corporation, a commercial truck and trailer dealership with locations in western New York, over allegations of firing an employee who requested leave for hip replacement surgery.
Virginia secures settlement with credit lender that allegedly violated Consumer Protection Act
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced July 25 that Alternative Finance Company, an open-end credit lender in Virginia Beach, will provide refunds and debt forgiveness to roughly 600 consumers after allegations of violating the Virginia statutes applicable to consumer finance companies and the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA).
EEOC alleges Georgia Dollar General guilty of disability discrimination in hiring
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 25 against the owner-operator of a Dollar General store in Georgia for allegations of discriminating against a job applicant because of her disability and because she complained to the company’s human resources department about the discrimination.
Houston company to pay $145,000 EEOC settlement after alleged disability discrimination
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 21 that Chemtrusion Inc., a manufacturing services company in Houston, will pay $145,000 after allegations of disability discrimination.
EEOC secures $10.5 million settlement with Bass Pro after allegations of discrimination
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced July 25 that Bass Pro Outdoor World LLC will pay $10.5 million after allegations of hiring discrimination and retaliation.
SEC charges Halliburton with violating Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced July 27 that it has charged Halliburton Company with allegations of violating the books and records and internal accounting controls provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
EEOC accuses Mississippi hospital of disability discrimination
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit July 26 against Wesley Health System LLC, which does business as Merit Health Wesley and operates a general medical and surgical hospital in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for allegations of failing to provide reasonable accommodation to a disabled employee.
Arizona family accuses social media platforms of violating anti-terrorism act
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) — An Arizona family is suing three social media platforms , alleging negligence and violation of federal law.
Couple's meso claim against Pasadena filed too late
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – California’s 2nd District Court of Appeals has ruled that a couple who filed a complaint against the city of Pasadena following a mesothelioma diagnosis failed to comply with the Government Claims Act.
Illinois Supreme Court rules Chicago tax on rental cars doesn't apply to suburban companies
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – The Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that rental car companies operating in Chicago suburbs are exempt from paying a tax on the rental of cars inside the city.