News from April 2018
California nightclub alleges bill regarding dancer's tips is unconstitutional
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The owner of a bar and nightclub in Ontario, California alleges a bill in the state violates its constitutional rights.
Sheldon Silver `blinded by greed,’ prosecutor says as retrial opens
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - Sheldon Silver used his immense power as Speaker of the New York State Assembly to reap millions of dollars in bribes from Weitz & Luxenberg, one of the most prominent asbestos law firms in the country, a prosecutor told jurors at the opening of Silver’s retrial on federal corruption trials.
EEOC accuses health company of pregnancy discrimination
RALEIGH, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit April 18 against PruittHealth-Raleigh LLC, a company based in Georgia but which does business in Raleigh as a nursing and rehabilitation center, for allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
EEOC: Macy's to pay $75,000 to former employee after alleged disability discrimination
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced April 18 that Macy’s will pay $75,000 after allegations of discriminating against an employee with asthma who took one day off work to address emergency complications related to her disability.
EEOC: Hertz to pay $45,000 after allegedly denying position to applicant who used cane
DENVER (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced April 18 that The Hertz Corporation will pay $45,000 after allegations of disability discrimination.
DuPont: Lawsuit over discharges into Cape Fear River 'rests on a mistaken premise'
GREENVILLE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – A major chemical company has filed a motion asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit claiming it polluted a North Carolina river, causing sickness and property damage to those living near its banks.
Labor Department's pursuit of pastor who ran restaurant 'troubling,' Sixth Circuit says; Restaurant closed after district court ruling
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) – A pastor and his church will not have to pay hundreds of thousands in back pay to congregants who volunteered to work at a restaurant he operated in Ohio following a federal appeals court ruling.
Dispute over asbestos lawsuit fees to continue; Calif. lawyer is suing Paul Napoli and his former partner
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A dispute among attorneys over fees generated by asbestos litigation can proceed, a federal court has ruled.
Monkey has no copyright over 'selfies,' Ninth Circuit court rules
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Naruto, a crested macaque monkey, is not entitled to copyright of pictures the animal snapped of himself, a federal appeals court has ruled.
NFL alleges widespread fraud by unnamed plaintiffs lawyers, doctors in concussion settlement; Special investigator appropriate, class counsel says
PHILADELPHIA – If the National Football League has their way, sanctions will be issued and a special investigator will be appointed to the NFL’s $1 billion Concussion Settlement program, as the league alleges an independent claims administrator determined that 23 percent of the claims submitted to it were fraudulent.
Nonprofits allege California manufacturing site discharges polluted stormwater
SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) – Two nonprofit organizations in California allege that a company has failed to reduce or prevent pollutants associated with industrial activities at its property from stormwater discharge.
California court rules plaintiffs could not show probability on prevailing on claims in anti-SLAPP suit
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A California appeals court has upheld a lower court’s order in a whistleblower case regarding alleged Medicare fraud.
As Sheldon Silver heads to retrial, NYC's asbestos court still a plaintiff's playground
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The retrial of former New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is scheduled to begin Monday on charges including allegations he collected millions of dollars in improper payments from a prominent asbestos law firm, Weitz & Luxenberg.
Judge: Calif. cities alleging doom in climate change lawsuits sold investors a different story
FORT WORTH, Texas (Legal Newsline) – California officials who are suing large energy companies are telling two contradictory stories while taking part in a targeted effort featuring state attorneys general, private lawyers and Rockefeller money, a Texas judge has found.
Consumers file suit against Clif Bar makers over advertising and sugar content
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Three consumers allege that the maker of nutrition bars profited from the products' deceptive advertising.
Woman alleges credit card account was comprised in Saks data breach
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A California woman alleges that fraudulent activity was found on her credit card after a department store data breach.
Digital technology company alleges AT&T did not perform agreed services
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – A Colorado digital technology company alleges AT&T made false representations to it to induce it to contract for professional services.
Stockholder alleges Live Nation failed to disclose facts about operations
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Live Nation stockholder alleges that she and other stockholders were damaged because of undisclosed material facts about the company's operations.
Florida companies file RICO suit against law firm over timeshare contracts
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A resort owner alleges timeshare owners have stopped making payments because a law firm interfered with contractual relationships.
Committee to Defend the President alleges FEC failed to timely act on Clinton complaint
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A political action committee headquartered in Virginia alleges a federal agency failed to take action on its 2017 complaint against Hillary Rodham Clinton and authorized candidate committee the Hillary Victory Fund.