News from August 2018
Hawaii Supreme Court rules backs state in Thirty Meter Telescope sublease case
HONOLULU — The Hawaii Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the state's Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR), saying it was not required to hold a contested case hearing prior to subleasing by the University of Hawaii (UH) to TMT International Observatory for the proposed Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea.
Colorado heating, cooling company to pay $1.7 million for allegedly installing unpermitted units
DENVER — A Colorado court has ordered a heating and cooling company operating in the state to pay $1.7 million for installing thousands of furnaces, hot water heaters and air conditioning units without obtaining building permits, causing potential hazards to consumers.
17-state attorneys general coalition opposes proposed SEC rules on broker-dealer incentives
SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is the latest to join a 17-state coalition opposing the Securities & Exchange Commission's (SEC) newly proposed rules that allow broker-dealers to collect incentives for steering consumers toward certain investments.
Southern California Gas reaches $119.5 million settlement for leak that released methane
LOS ANGELES — The Southern California Gas Company and the state's attorney general have reached a $119.5 million settlement over a ruptured well that caused a natural gas leak in Porter Ranch for months and released methane into the environment.
Kansas, Colorado agree to settlement over past Republican River water usage
DENVER — The states of Kansas and Colorado have agreed to a settlement regarding Colorado's previous water usage of the Republican River.
Alaska Supreme Court rules 'Stand for Salmon' initiative unconstitutional
ANCHORAGE — The Alaska Supreme Court has agreed with the state of Alaska that a ballot measure that would prohibit development of projects damaging waters that support migrating fish, contains some unconstitutional provisions.
Plaintiff not accepting loss of lawsuit over empty space in Purex Crystals packaging
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A California woman who alleged she was "surprised and disappointed" that a container of Purex Crystals contained empty space and sued the maker of the in-wash fragrance booster is appealing a court's ruling that dismissed her complaint.
New York city alleges water supply contamination caused by airport, Air National Guard base
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A New York city alleges that discharges from New York Stewart International Airport and Stewart Air National Guard Base caused contamination of its water supply.
Raytheon seeks declaration regarding liability to remediate contaminated Kansas site
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Legal Newsline) – A Massachusetts company alleges it did not cause the contamination of soil and groundwater at a site in Kansas and that it should bear no liability for its remediation.
Samsung Electronics America alleged to have sold TVs with defect that causes overheating
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New York consumer alleges certain televisions manufactured by Samsung have a defect that causes the device to overheat.
Federal government seeks reimbursement for removal of hazardous substances at Illinois site
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – The government is seeking reimbursement of costs it alleges it incurred to respond to the release or threatened release of hazardous substances at a site in Illinois.
California man alleges makers of Vega products fail to warn of heavy metals
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A Berkeley, California man alleges the makers of protein products marketed as plant-based failed to disclose the products expose consumers to toxic heavy metals.
Consumer alleges EcoSmart insect repellent does not repel mosquitoes
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A San Pedro, California consumer alleges a brand of insect repellent is "ineffective and worthless."
Plain Green, Great Plains Lending alleged to have charged interest rates higher than 100 percent
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) – Two Virginia residents allege two lending companies are violating state lending statues and are charging high interest rates.
Texas officials were 'in over their heads' when they struck deals with opioid lawyers
When it hired outside lawyers to represent it in lawsuits against the opioid industry, Harris County agreed to pay a contingency fee of 35%, more than double the rate in Dallas County and equal to the highest in the state.
Federal judge cuts vaginal mesh punitive award; Woman must take lesser amount or go through new trial
HAMMOND, Ind. (Legal Newsline) – An Indiana federal judge on Aug. 8 gave a choice to a woman who won a case that alleged the pelvic mesh device made by Johnson & Johnson caused her severe injury. She could submit to a lesser amount of punitive damages or face a new punitive damages trial, the judge ruled.
Texas man files suit against Dallas newspaper over solicitation calls
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) – A Grapevine, Texas resident alleges a newspaper unlawfully called him to solicit him to purchase a subscription.
District of Columbia alleges national electric contractor cheated workers of wages, benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against a national electric contractor and its labor staffing companies, alleging the companies cheated hundreds of workers out of wages and benefits as part of an effort to cut costs.
Massachusetts reaches $26.8 million settlement with HSBC over alleged unfair loans
BOSTON — The state of Massachusetts and HSBC Securities (HSBC) have reached a $26.8 million settlement regarding allegations the company secured unfair residential mortgage loans, according to the state attorney general.
Online for-profit university to pay $270,000 for allegedly misleading veterans
BOSTON — American Military University has agreed to a $270,000 settlement regarding allegations by the state of Massachusetts that the school violated state law by misleading veterans.