News from August 2018
Part of lawsuit challenging Atkins' net carbs claims dismissed
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. District Court of the Southern District of California has partially granted a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit against Dr. Robert Atkins’ company Atkins Nutritionals.
Monsanto-Roundup bellwether trial results in $289 million verdict
A California jury has ordered agricultural giant Monsanto to pay a former school groundskeeper $289 million in damages after finding he contracted non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from using the company’s industry leading weed-killer Roundup.
Nonprofit group challenges New York's Felder Amendment regarding religious schools
BROOKLYN, NY (Legal Newsline) – A nonprofit advocacy group in New York that seeks to improve education curriculum in ultra-Orthodox schools alleges an amended to state law is unconstitutional.
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: Former State Representative John Carnevale Pleads to Perjury
Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced that John Carnevale (age 56), of Providence, RI, pleaded nolo contendere to one count of perjury before Superior Court Justice Bennett Gallo.
NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: Attorney General Josh Stein sues Opioid Manufacturer Insys over Medicaid Concerns
Attorney General Josh Stein filed a suit to hold drug manufacturer Insys Therapeutics, Inc., responsible for its deceptive marketing and sale practices by intervening in two lawsuits accusing Insys of violating the False Claims Act
NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE: Company Must Pay Ex-Worker with Sleep Apnea for Failing to Reinstate Him Despite Medical Clearance
Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division on Civil Rights announced that a New Jersey trucking company must pay an ex-employee with sleep apnea $30,000 to resolve allegations it fired the man despite repeated medical examinations certifying him as fit for duty.
STATE OF MICHIGAN OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: West Michigan Man Charged by Schuette's Elder Financial Crimes Unit Bound Over for Trial on 14 Felonies
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced that Gary “Duke” Haynes 57, of Comstock Park has been bound over for trial in Muskegon County on 14 felony counts for allegedly stealing over $300,000 from his elderly widowed client.
CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE: California’s Attorney General and Air Resources Board, Los Angeles City Attorney, and County of Los Angeles File $119.5 Million Settlement before Court in Aliso Canyon Gas Leak Litigation
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, along with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer (City Attorney), and the County of Los Angeles (County) announced a $119.5 million settlement with the Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) over the unprecedented natural gas leak from a ruptured well at its Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility in Porter Ranch, California.
NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL: Operation Bob The Builder: A.G. Underwood Announces Convictions Of Warren County Couple For Stealing Over $1.3 Million And Laundering Proceeds
Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood announced the guilty pleas of Robert J. Mirel and Debra Burnett.
U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: FTC and State of Minnesota Halt Sellers Playbook’s Get Rich Scheme
The Federal Trade Commission and the State of Minnesota have charged Minnesota-based Sellers Playbook with running a large business opportunity scheme. A federal court temporarily halted the operation pending resolution of the case.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: EEOC Sues The University of Wisconsin System for Age Discrimination
The University of Wisconsin System violated federal law when it refused to hire a former longtime employee because of her age, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed.
U.S. FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: FTC Charges Auto Dealerships in Arizona and New Mexico with Falsifying Consumers’ Information on Financing Documents
The Federal Trade Commission has charged a group of four auto dealers operating in Arizona and New Mexico, near the border of the Navajo Nation, with a range of illegal activities, including falsifying consumers’ income and down payment information on vehicle financing applications and misrepresenting important financial terms in vehicle advertisements.
ARKANSAS ATTORNEY GENERAL: Rutledge announces arrest of Clinton Woman for Stealing Opioids
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced the arrest of a Van Buren County woman.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: EEOC Sues Remedy Intelligent Staffing and Lornamead Inc. For Disability Discrimination
Remedy Intelligent Staffing, LLC (Remedy), a California-based staffing firm, and Lornamead, Inc. (Lornamead), a manufacturer headquartered in New York City, violated federal law when they refused to provide reasonable accommodation to a long- term temporary employee that would have enabled him to continue to work after his kidney condition worsened and instead terminated his employment, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit filed.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: U.S. Department of Labor investigation results in Miami School Payimg $636.269 to 461 Employees for Wage Violations
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School of Miami, Florida, will pay $635,269 to 461 employees for violations of the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) found in a U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation.
U.S. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: Alorica Settles EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit For $3.5 Million
The U.S. District Court approved a consent decree between Alorica, Inc. and the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for $3.5 million and remedial measures to resolve a sexual harassment lawsuit, the federal agency announced.
Alexia Sweet Potato Fries packaging has more than 50 percent slack-fill, consumer alleges
San Francisco resident accuses defendant description of violated consumer protection and labeling lawsOAKLAND — A consumeer has filed a class-action lawsuit against Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. and Does 1 to 10, defendant description, citing alleged violation of California Consumer Legal Remedies Act.Angela Kennard filed a complaint on behalf of all others similarly situated on Aug. 2, in the U.S.
Consumer alleges Nestle USA uses deceptive practices with 'No GMO' seals
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer alleges Nestle USA's No GMO Ingredients seal is misleading as it leads consumers to believe products have been evaluated by a third party.
Yale University alleged to have failed to timely disclose 2008 data breach
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – An Ivy League school is alleged to have failed to timely disclose information about a data breach that occurred a decade ago.
Consumer claims Rachael Ray Nutrish pet food contains glyphosate
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges a brand of pet food associated with a celebrity chef is not natural as advertised.