News from 2017
Massachusetts contractor to pay $100,000 for alleged wage law violations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Aug. 8 that Wilmington Wiring Corporation (WWC) and owner John Garrett will pay more than $100,000 after allegations of intentionally failing to properly pay employees working on a public project for the city of Worcester to repair streetlights.
Arizona's Brnovich selected new chairman of Conference of Western Attorneys General
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Aug. 7 that he has been selected the new chairman of the Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG).
Massachusetts attorney general secures $6.3 million in refunds for 4,500 homeowners
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Aug. 11 that American Security Insurance Company will pay $6.3 million in refunds to more than 4,500 homeowners after allegations of improper charges.
South Carolina targets U.S. Energy Department, seeks $100 million
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Legal Newsline) — South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Aug. 8 that his office has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), seeking to recover $100 million the DOE allegedly owes for failing to remove a ton of plutonium from the Savannah River site this year.
California joins 16-state coalition supporting CMS arbitration prohibition rule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Aug. 9 that, along with a coalition of 16 other attorneys general, he has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
California leads coalition opposing EPA's proposed 27-month delay to methane reduction rule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Aug. 9 that he is leading a coalition of 14 attorneys general, the state of Colorado and the city of Chicago in submitting comments in opposition of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed 27-month compliance delay of an Obama administration public health rule.
Massachusetts health care company owes $750,000 after allegedly forcing consumers to pay bills
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Aug. 9 that Apria Healthcare LLC (Apria) will pay more than $750,000 to resolve allegations of directly billing people for services covered by the state’s Medicaid program (MassHealth).
District of Columbia secures settlement with Florida debt relief company, owner
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Aug. 8 that the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) Office of Consumer Protection has reached a settlement agreement with YF Solution LLC, a Florida debt relief company, and its owner, Grace de Paz.
Pink products could leave businesses blue if California ever passes gender discrimination bill
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A bill that would have required companies to determine whether their products appealed to certain genders and price them accordingly didn't go far this year in the California Legislature, but it will reappear in the future.
Oral arguments set Aug. 24 in $1.15 billion lead paint public nuisance case
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Nearly three years ago, a California judge ordered a group of three paint makers to pay $1.15 billion to 10 California cities and counties to remediate what the judge decided was the “public nuisance” of lead paint in homes.
Nevada strengthens law governing financial planners
The revised state law, which became effective July 1, essentially requires investment advisers and stock brokers now to abide by the same fiduciary standards as others in the financial industry.
California court won't dismiss Odwalla and ZICO Beverages 'no sugar added' lawsuits
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Two drink companies who were sued for allegedly misusing their "no sugar added" labels have had their motions to dismiss the cases denied.
Herbal supplement maker accused of cheating Vietnamese
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against a dietary and herbal supplement manufacturer over claims it exploits the lesser-educated Vietnamese population with its advertising.
Calif. SC affirms medical board's investigation of prescription drug records
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of California ruled on July 17 that the Medical Board of California did not violate a patients’ rights clause of the state’s constitution when it secured information from the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) regarding patients who had been prescribed a controlled substance without a court order allowing the release of the information.
New Jersey Supreme Court keeps alive nurse’s disability discrimination lawsuit
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – On July 12, the Supreme Court of New Jersey affirmed an appellate court’s revival of a nurse’s disability discrimination lawsuit against Saint Clare’s Health System.
Judge's 'well-rounded decision' decertifies class action over Kraft cheese; Plaintiffs respond with new motion
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A federal court has decertified a class action lawsuit against Kraft Foods over one of its natural cheese products in a move that an attorney is calling a "well-rounded decision."
City Club of New York seeks to nullify permit modification for Pier 55 project
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A nonprofit corporation alleges that a permit issued for a pier project in New York is unlawful.
Sierra Club, Environmental Integrity Project file suit against Pruitt over alleged inaction on petition
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Two nonprofit environmental groups allege that U.S. EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has failed to respond to their petition.
Consumers allege Amazon upgraded accounts to Prime without their knowledge
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Five consumers allege that Amazon charged them additional fees for ordering products from its website.
Morningstar Inc., Prudential Investment Management Services accused of racketeering
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A South Carolina man has filed a class action lawsuit over allegations that investment analysts caused injury to him and his money and property.