News from August 2018
Tennessee credit union to discharge loan debt for students College Network allegedly scammed
BOSTON — As part of an assurance of discontinuance filed in Suffolk Superior Court by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, a Tennessee credit union will discharge close to $650,000 in loan debt to students who were allegedly scammed by a company selling false educational materials.
New Jersey joins multistate coalition brief seeking reversal of HFC decision
TRENTON — The state of New Jersey has become the latest to join a multistate coalition urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a decision by D.C. Circuit Court on banning hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
Rotech Health reaches $9.95 million settlement with North Carolina for alleged false claims
RALEIGH — A Florida respiratory equipment provider has reached a nearly $10 million settlement with the state of North Carolina to resolve allegations the company submitted false claims to Medicaid and Medicare.
15 state attorneys general file brief with U.S. Supreme Court in interstate truckers case
BOSTON — A coalition of 15 state attorneys general lead by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy has filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing against forced arbitration for interstate truck drivers fighting against compensation agreement violations.
Attorneys general from 21 states urge Congress to ramp up cyber security before '18 midterms
CHICAGO — Twenty-one attorneys general have joined in urging Congress to ramp up U.S. cyber security ahead of the 2018 midterm elections to protect against further cyberattacks and more infiltration by Russian hackers, according to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Summary judgment reversed in wrongful death case over California dairy worker's death
FRESNO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The Fifth Appellate District of the Court of Appeals in California has ordered a trial court to vacate a summary judgment order in a wrongful death case and remanded it for further proceedings.
U.S. settles with Texas company accused of colluding with competitors to fix pay rates
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Texas-based Your Therapy Source has settled charges by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that the company colluded with its competitors to fix prices on physical therapy pay rates.
Wells Fargo to pay $2.09 billion for alleged misrepresentation
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'Intermeddlers' lose case against Delaware greenhouse gas initiative
GEORGETOWN, Del. (Legal Newsline) – A case that was filed in response to the Delaware’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and Co2 Emission Trading Program Act (RGGI Act) was dismissed on June 26 by the Superior Court of the State of Delaware.
Colorado ruling in water case goes against Coors Brewing
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of Colorado upheld a water court’s ruling in a lawsuit against Coors Brewing Co. on June 25, specifying that the company's "native" water use is limited and that it can no longer lease its return-flow water to other companies downstream without a new water right.
Employers in California must pay employees for time spent clocking out
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Employers in California must take into account when evaluating pay the time taken to perform certain tasks after clocking out, the state's Supreme Court has ruled.
Newegg must still face pricing lawsuit after Calif. appeals court ruling
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A false advertising claim against an electronics retailer can continue, a California appeals court has ruled.
Calif. court reduces penalties against law firm in paralegal's wage dispute
SAN FRANCISCO – The First Appellate District of the Court of Appeal of California has reduced the penalties on a law firm in a wage dispute between a paralegal and the law firm.
N.J. courts have to now consider if science is "advocacy-driven," lawyers in landmark Accutane ruling say
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Two New Jersey attorneys discussed the scientific reliability and New Jersey Supreme Court's Aug. 1 ruling regarding evidence in a case filed by 2,000 plaintiffs who allege acne medication Accutane could cause Crohn's disease.
U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: FTC Returns Money to People Targeted by Phony Debt Collection Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission is mailing 597 checks totaling more than $184,000 to people who were allegedly tricked into paying phony debts.
ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL: Settlement reached with Medical Device Company
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced that she has joined a coalition of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the federal government to settle allegations against Delaware-based medical device maker, Alere Inc
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: Zachry Industrial, Inc. To Pay $135,000 To Settle EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit
Construction Company Wrongfully Terminated Employees Based on Their Medical History Despite Their Fitness for Duty, Federal Agency Charged.
Congressman says nuisance suits against agri-business are national threat
Recent nuisance lawsuits against agri-business in North Carolina are a national threat to agriculture, said U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (R-7th-NC)
Sheldon Silver sentenced to jail, but asbestos system still invites shenanigans, attorney says
While the recent sentencing to prison of a once-powerful politician should help discourage abuse in the realm of asbestos litigation, an attorney following the issue says reform of the system is ultimately necessary.