News from August 2018
New Mexico attorney general joins coalition urging transparency regarding shell companies
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is the latest to join a coalition of 24 attorneys general trying to persuade Congress to pass legislation to help stop criminals from using anonymous shell corporations to launder money.
Massachusetts alleges construction company violated state's minimum wage laws
BOSTON — A Massachusetts construction company has agreed to pay more than $121,000 in wages and penalties stemming from citations over violating the state's minimum wage laws.
Nonprofits allege San Diego facilities are unlawfully discharging polluted storm water
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – Two nonprofit corporations allege facilities in a California city are unlawfully discharging contaminated storm water.
Sinclair Broadcast Group, others alleged to have conspired to inflate advertising prices
BALTIMORE, Md. (Legal Newsline) – An Arkansas law firm alleges television broadcasting companies conspired to fix advertising prices.
Tire business to pay $81K to settle Massachusetts allegations of illegally removing asbestos
BOSTON — The state of Massachusetts has settled with Town Fair Tires for $81,000 over allegations the company illegally removed and disposed of asbestos material during the expansion of its Springfield tire store.
Iowa attorney general backs new polices to reduce adult smoking rate
DES MOINES — Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller has submitted a policy paper to the federal government and public health experts recommending new polices on e-cigarettes and a public information campaign that he says will drive the adult smoking rate below 10 percent over the next three years.
Chicago, Illinois attorney general battle U.S. over EPA designations for several counties
CHICAGO — The city of Chicago and the Illinois attorney general have filed a lawsuit against the federal government over a new rule that they say does not reduce dangerous smog in and around Illinois.
Crisco spray product not extra virgin olive oil as advertised, consumer alleges
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California woman alleges that a cooking spray is not extra virgin olive oil as advertised.
Hawaii joins 19-state coalition challenging EPA's rollback of Clean Air Rule
HONOLULU — Hawaii has joined a 19-state coalition and the District of Columbia that is challenging the Trump administration's rollback of the Clean Air Rule, which the coalition says will cost Americans an additional $193 billion to $236 billion in gas and will add carbon emissions.
New Jersey mortgage company settles allegations it charged unauthorized fees
ATLANTA — The state of Georgia has settled with a New Jersey mortgage serving and originating business over allegations the company charged unauthorized fees to consumers throughout Georgia.
Colorado attorney general: Commercial sports betting not subject to state constitutional limits
DENVER — Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman has released a formal opinion on whether current state law authorizes commercial sports betting after the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalized sports betting, saying it is up to the state's legislature.
Maryland court denies request to remand permit issued to Upper Potomac River Commission
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) – A state-owned wastewater treatment facility in Westernport, Md., now has continued authorization to dump effluent into the North Branch Potomac River, despite concerns from a group that the practice is significantly affecting the river's water quality.
Man's lower IQ caused by lead paint exposure as kid, Maryland high court rules
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) – Judges in the Maryland Court of Appeals on July 31 affirmed a lower court’s decision, with one dissent, in a lawsuit concerning damages for loss of income allegedly caused by exposure to paint that contained lead.
Arizona attorney general 'true advocate' of state's job creators, industry leader says
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich's efforts to defend small businesses against scammers has shown him to be an advocate on behalf of job creators in the state, a business leader in the state says.
Vitamin Shoppe again seeks dismissal of class action lawsuit over Garcinia Cambogia supplement
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – The Vitamin Shoppe has requested an amended complaint over a supplement be dismissed with prejudice, claiming the plaintiff is unable to provide evidence supporting her case.
North Dakota high court rules that one of governor's challenged vetoes was 'valid and effective'
BISMARCK, N.D. (Legal Newsline) – The North Dakota Supreme Court found that one of Gov. Doug Burgum’s vetoes challenged by the Legislative Assembly was “valid and effective” on July 30.
Delaware Chancery Court appoints monitor in Oxbow Carbon exit sale suit
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) – A multi-part remedy to settle a dispute between defendants identified as the "Koch parties" and Oxbow Carbon LLC was delivered by Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster on Aug. 1 in the Delaware Court of Chancery.
Wrongful death case against nursing home to be heard in Ala. court, not arbitration
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – A woman suing a nursing home company on behalf of her late mother has won one round of her action after the Alabama Supreme Court dismissed a motion to compel arbitration.
Kent County program aids student graduation despite chronic absenteeism
Kent County High School senior Kendra Johnson, who missed 45 days of school during her final year, successfully graduated with the help of the Kent County Truancy Reduction Program.
Consumer alleges Prevagen supplement does not provide the benefits advertised
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey woman alleges a supplement she purchased in 2015 does not provide the brain health benefits as advertised.