News from February 2018
Arizona urges Supreme Court to protect consumers in Google class action case
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Feb. 8 he is leading a bipartisan coalition of 16 state attorneys general in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect consumers from abuse in the Google referrer header privacy litigation class action settlement.
Arizona car rental companies hit with $1.85 million verdict for consumer fraud
PHOENIX — A $1.85 million verdict has been reached against Dennis N. Saban and his companies, Phoenix Car Rental and Saban's Rent-A-Car, for violating the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act. This is one of the largest consumer fraud trial verdicts ever obtained by the state's Attorney General's Office.
Proposed Ohio Constitution amendment would establish minimum patient standards for dialysis treatment
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Through a recently certified petition, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is advocating an amendment to the state's constitution designed to ensure that kidney dialysis clinics provide quality and affordable treatment to patients.
Shell to install $10 million In pollution monitoring equipment to settle U.S. charges
NORCO, Louisiana — Shell Chemical Company LP has agreed to install $10 million worth of pollution monitoring and control equipment at its Louisiana Norco Chemical facility as part of a settlement for the company allegedly violating the Clean Air Act and state laws.
U.S., Missouri request HPI Products be held in contempt for violating 2011 environmental settlement
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Justice and the state of Missouri are requesting a federal court hold pesticide manufacturer HPI Products Inc. in contempt for not complying with a 2011 environmental settlement and alleging the company is storing thousands of pounds of hazardous chemicals in its western Missouri facility.
New York City mayor on podcast: 'Let's help bring the death knell' to the fossil fuel industry
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Mayor Bill de Blasio is unashamedly up-front about what he wants to see happen to the fossil fuel industry.
Maryland lawyers donate over a million pro bono hours in service
Maryland lawyers have collectively contributed over 1 million hours of pro bono legal services, as reported in the "Current Status of Pro Bono Service Among Maryland Lawyers, 2016" document.
'Dispassionate analysis' lacking in California climate change litigation, environmental attorney says
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Government officials in California who made dire climate change predictions in lawsuits against energy companies but not to prospective bond investors didn't think hard enough before filing those cases, a Washington, D.C.-based environmental attorney said during a recent interview.
Woman claims Target Up & Up towelettes caused allergic reaction
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – A Los Angeles, California woman alleges Target failed to warn consumers that one of its Up & Up products carried a risk of significant injuries.
Michaels Stores agrees to $1.5 million settlement for alleged delay in reporting safety claims
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Michaels Stores Inc., and Micheal Stores Procurement Co. Inc., has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle allegations the company delayed in reporting a claim to Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
National bankruptcy law firm sanctioned
CHICAGO — The national consumer bankruptcy law firm, Law Solutions Chicago DBA UpRight Law (UpRight), has been sanctioned for more than $250,000 by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia for allegedly harming financially distressed consumers and auto lenders.
EEOC: Texas refinery fired 3 brothers fired due to blood disorder
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Feb. 13 against Signature Industrial Services LLC (SIS) for allegations of firing three laborers because of blood disorders.
EEOC accuses San Diego Italian restaurant of pregnancy discrimination
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Feb. 13 against Maurizio’s Trattoria Italiana LLC, a San Diego restaurant, for allegations of firing a female employee because of her pregnancy.
New York attorney general announces charges against pharmacy owner in Medicaid fraud case
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced Feb. 15 that Arkady Goldin and Value Pharmacy Inc. (Value) have been charged with defrauding the New York State Medicaid Program out of millions of dollars.
Texas attorney general urges district court to uphold Arizona law preventing Israel boycott
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Feb. 9 that he and Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich filed an amicus brief in a U.S. District Court case regarding an Arizona law that prevents state-funded contractors from boycotting Israel.
Oregon attorney general backs new data breach legislation
SALEM, Oregon (Legal Newsline) — Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced Feb. 9 that she had testified before the Oregon Senate Judiciary Committee in support of data breach legislation, Senate Bill 1551. The bill was developed to strength data breach laws in the state after the Equifax breach affected 1.7 million consumers in Oregon.
EEOC: Michigan health care company violated religious discrimination laws
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Feb. 14 against Memorial Healthcare of Owosso, Michigan, for allegations of violating religious discrimination laws.
New York accuses Weinstein Company of rampant breaches of civil, human right laws
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Feb. 11 that his office has filed a lawsuit against The Weinstein Company (TWC), Harvey Weinstein, and Robert Weinstein, for allegations of violating civil rights, human rights and business laws in the state.
New York secures $75,000 for consumers victimized by alleged insurance scam
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced Feb. 15 that Trustage Insurance Agency, an insurance company based in Iowa, will pay $75,000 in restitution, penalties, costs and fees after allegations of mailing solicitations for accidental death and dismemberment policies that appeared to come from New Yorkers’ credit unions.
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EEOC announces strategic plan for 2018-2022
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Feb. 12 that it has approved its strategic plan for fiscal years 2018-2022.