News from February 2018
EEOC: Automotive parts retailer to pay $38,500 to settle religious discrimination charges
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Feb. 9 that Decostar Industries Inc., a company based in Carrollton, Georgia, that develops automotive parts, will pay $38,500 for allegations of religious discrimination.
A possible financial boost awaits thousands of out-of-state plaintiffs in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA – Though a recent Superior Court ruling has livened plaintiff attorneys as to the potential of winning punitive damages in Philadelphia's packed Risperdal program, one lawyer is cautioning against “banking” on such a possibility.
Massachusetts ticket companies to pay Washington state $60,000 for violations
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Two Massachusetts-based ticket buying companies, Find My Seats LLC and Box Office Pros LLC, will pay Washington state $60,000 for violating Washington's Ticket Sellers Act by using "ticket bot."
Michigan attorney general applauds state's new public administration system laws
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan's attorney is praising the state legislature for its passage of two bills that were recently signed into law and designed to stop probate abuse and also make critical changes to Michigan's public administrator system.
Energy companies Nuclear Energy Institute Inc. breached agreement regarding database access
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Energy companies allege a nuclear industry trade association breached their agreement by excluding them from the use of a database needed to screen workers at commercial nuclear power plants.
The Duncan Group LLC alleges Cimarex Energy Group breached duty in gas leases
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) – An Oklahoma limited liability company with royalty interests in wells in the state allege a well operator took improper midstream service cost deductions or nonpayment of royalties on natural gas wells.
National Compounding Co. Inc., others alleged to have submitted false Medicare claims
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Pharmacies doing business in Florida are alleged to have submitted false claims to government programs.
Consumer alleges Jason Natural Products Inc. are not all natural as claimed on labels
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A New York consumer alleges that a brand of personal care products is not all natural as advertised.
California joins opposition to Trump administration's opening coast to offshore drilling
SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has joined a coalition of more than a dozen state attorneys general who are calling on the Trump administration to halt its proposed opening of California's coast to offshore drilling.
California Supreme Court denies review of public nuisance lead paint decision
SACRAMENTO - The Supreme Court of California has denied review of an approximate $600 million judgment that holds major paint companies responsible for remediating lead paint across the state.
Redbox goes on offensive against Disney in debate over DVDs, digital codes
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Redbox has sued Disney as the two companies argue over DVDs and digital codes, but its petition has been consolidated with Disney's earlier lawsuit against the movie-rental company.
EEOC's case over trucker allegedly not hired because of service dog transferred
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A Florida federal judge has denied CRST International’s motion to dismiss a man’s lawsuit alleging it did not hire him as a truck driver because he has a service dog to help cope with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues.
Anne Arundel County District Court educates students through courtroom experience
Students from several high schools in Anne Arundel County are participating in the Schools in the Court program today.
Consumer alleges Werther's caramel candy bags have excessive slack-fill
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A New York consumer alleges a specific bag size of Werther's Original Sugar Free Chew Caramels candies misrepresents the amount of product in the bag and the candy's effect on blood glucose levels.
FTC staff supports repealing Alaska's certificate-of-need laws
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In recent testimony to the Alaska Senate Labor and Commerce Committee, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) staff recommended repeal of Alaska's certificate-of-need (CON) laws requiring health care providers to obtain the state's approval prior to their expansion, establishment of new facilities/services and for certain large capital expenditures.
FTC targets American Financial Benefits Center in 'Operation Game of Loans' Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As part of its "Operation Game of Loans" federal-state law enforcement initiative, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed charges against American Financial Benefits Center for allegedly violating the FTC Act and the FTC's Telemarketing Sales Rule by defrauding thousands of customers of more than $28 million.
Contemporary artist alleges MoMA, other museums are engaged in conspiracy
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A New York contemporary artist alleges several museums have engaged in an unlawful conspiracy to deprive him of access to the contemporary art market.
FTC OKs final order in fertilizer, chemical companies merger
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has voted to 2-0 to approve a final order that settles charges against a merger of Canadian fertilizer and chemical companies Potash Corporation, Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc, on the basis the merger would harm competition in two markets.
FTC amends Energy Labeling Rule to update information
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently amended its Energy Labeling Rule to update the cost information and comparability range for its EnergyGuide labels on items such as dishwashers, furnaces, pool heaters and room air conditioners.
Burger King customer alleges receipt exposed his private information
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A Florida man alleges a fast food restaurant chain exposed him and other customers to a heightened risk of identity theft because of the amount of digits of a card number printed on a receipt.