News from 2017
N.Y. firm claims DOJ illegally changed terms of its Madoff victim fund
Last month, The Barry Fischer Law Firm LLC filed its lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The firm said it is concerned its clients will not receive their compensation and, in turn, it will not receive its fees.
Horse feed manufacturer ADM seeks to dismiss suit over allegedly poisoned feed
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Animal feed manufacturer Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) has filed a motion to dismiss a class action complaint against it alleging it had produced feed that poisoned horses.
Buffalo Wild Wings objects to being sued by vegetarian
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Buffalo Wild Wings, sued by a vegetarian for allegedly using beef tallow in its food and not disclosing it to customers, continues to argue that the case against it should be dismissed as a matter of law.
SEC alleges California audit firm conducted flawed audits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced Dec. 4 that Anton & Chia LLP, an audit firm based in California, will be charged with conducting flawed audits and reviews of financial statements.
FTC announces defendants posing as lawyers are banned from debt collecting
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 6 that after a settlement, three defendants posing as lawyers that falsely threatened consumers into paying debts they did not owe will be banned from the debt collection business.
IMDb.com argues new age discrimination law is unconstitutional
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – IMDb.com, the Internet movie database website, has filed a motion for summary judgment in its lawsuit against the Attorney General of California, arguing that the passage of California Assembly Bill 1687 restricts its right to free speech and is also not necessary.
Privacy claims to proceed against Golden State Warriors and Signal360 over app
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A mobile app privacy lawsuit will proceed against two of the three named defendants, according to an order filed Nov. 20 by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Franken used sexual assault victims in attack on arbitration one month before resigning
The Minnesota Democrat, who announced his resignation Thursday, has taken issue with forced arbitration clauses in employment contracts.
Man alleges Me Bath Spa Experience invaded privacy with unwanted texts
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A Florida consumer claims a luxury day spa operator sent him unwanted text messages.
California secures $8.9 million settlement with DirecTV after hazardous waste allegations
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O’Malley announced Nov. 22 that DIRECTV has agreed to pay $8.9 million to settle allegations that it has disposed of large volumes of hazardous waste at facilities in the state.
Eco-Site, T-Mobile file suit against Colorado county over denial to construct a wireless-communications facility
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – A wireless telecommunications company alleges that its permit request to construct a facility in Colorado was wrongfully denied.
Rhode Island attorney general seeks to ban credit bureaus from charging 'credit freeze' fees
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Nov. 20 that his office will file legislation to ban credit bureaus from charging consumers in the state to place, temporarily lift, or remove security freezes on their accounts.
Mississippi secures $1.3 million additional settlement funds in prison bribery case
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) — Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood announced Nov. 29 that Sentinel Offender Services LLC, an inmate electronic monitoring services firm, will pay $1.3 million to resolve allegations of prison bribery.
EPA: D.C. Circuit Court extends deadline for farmers to comply with CERCLA, EPCRA provisions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Nov. 22 that the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals has extended the deadline for farmers to comply with two statutes—the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA).
D.C. obtains restraining order against funeral home that allegedly defrauded families
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Nov. 22 that his office has obtained a temporary restraining order against Austin Royster Funeral Home after allegations the company operated without a license and charged grieving families for services it never provided.
District of Columbia alleges former board president of non-profit real estate company embezzled
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Nov 28 that his office has obtained a judgment against Rowena Scott, former board president of the non-profit Park Southern Neighborhood Corporation (PSNC), after allegations Scott used non-profit funds for personal use.
California attorney general: Major hospital system to pay $2 million after massive data breaches
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Nov. 22 that Cottage Health System and its affiliated hospitals will pay $2 million after allegations of failing to properly protect patient medical information.
New Jersey attorney general settles pay discrimination case with Hilton Homewood Suites
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division on Civil Rights announced Nov. 21 that a Hilton Homewood Suites hotel will pay $35,000 to a female ex-employee after allegations of paying her less than male coworkers for equal tasks.
Justice Department seeks to block AT&T acquisition of Time Warner
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Nov. 20 that it has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the proposed acquisition of Time Warner Inc. by AT&T/DirecTV over anti-competitive allegations.
Washington state targets Uber for massive data breach
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Nov. 28 that he has filed a multimillion-dollar consumer protection lawsuit against ride-sharing company Uber for allegations of violating the state’s laws related to data breaches.