News from February 2018
Parents of preteen Trump supporter sue Newsweek Magazine for defamation
PHILADELPHIA – The parents of an avid 12-year-old supporter of President Donald Trump have launched a defamation lawsuit against Newsweek Magazine, for labeling him as a “Trump Mini-Me” and as part of a sinister plot by the political alt-right in “defending raw racism and sexual abuse.”
Retailers get help from lawsuits when new Prop 65 regulations take effect
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A list of products that require warning labels because they contain possible cancer-causing ingredients continues to grow in California, though retailers will be gaining some protection from litigation that stems from them.
Fitness 19 member alleges gym is deducting funds from account without authorization
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Los Angeles County, California consumer alleges a gym is unlawfully charging him for two accounts.
Consumer alleges Jets.com sent unsolicited marketing text messages
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A private jet charter and jet rental company is alleged to have engaged in unsolicited telemarketing.
Philips X-tremeVision headlamps do not produce 100 percent more light as advertised, consumer alleges
CAMDEN, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges he paid more for a brand of headlamps for his vehicle that did not produce the amount of light advertised.
U.S. settles with NYC restaurant that allegedly discriminated against non-Korean, non-Japanese applicants
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Feb. 20 that Food Love 125 Inc., which does business as Ichiba Ramen, a restaurant in New York City, will change its business practices and pay a civil penalty after allegations of violating the Immigration and Nationality Act’s (INA) anti-discrimination provision.
U.S. secures $2 million for servicemembers after SCRA settlement with BMW Financial
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Feb. 22 that BMW Financial Services N.A. (BMW SF) will pay more than $2 million after allegations of violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
FTC report examines web-hosting services for small businesses
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 20 that its staff has released a report detailing whether 11 web-hosting services for small businesses provide default email authentication and anti-phishing technologies.
FTC reaches settlement with company that allegedly misrepresented 'anti-aging' benefits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 21 that Telomerase Activation Sciences Inc. (TA Sciences) and CEO Noel Patton will settle allegations of making false or unsubstantiated claims about two “anti-aging” products.
FTC to host workshop for contact lens marketplace
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 23 that it has posted the agenda for its upcoming workshop on the contact lens marketplace and proposed changes to its Contact Lens Rule.
District of Columbia targets landlords who allegedly neglected properties
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced two new actions Feb. 16 against a group of landlords for allegedly neglecting their properties and collecting rent from tenants living in unsafe and unsanitary apartments.
Inside Up settles EEOC suit alleging firing of employee with medical conditions
SAN DIEGO — San Diego based marketing firm InsideUp Inc, has agreed to pay $10,500 to settle a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) alleging the company fired an employee because of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and emphysema.
Former Arkansas judge gets 5-year sentence for fraud, bribery
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Feb. 21 that O. Joseph Boeckmann, a former state judge in Arkansas, was sentenced to 5 years in prison after allegations he conducted a six-year fraud and bribery scheme.
Justice Department: Diabetic Care RC paid kickbacks to induce TRICARE prescriptions
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced allegations Feb. 23 against Diabetic Care RC LLC, which does business as Patient Care America (PCA), a compounding pharmacy in Pompano Beach, Florida. The Justice Department says the pharmacy paid illegal kickbacks to induce prescriptions for TRICARE-reimbursed drugs.
FTC calls Wilhelmsen's acquisition of Drew anti-competitive, violation of antitrust laws
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Feb. 23 that Wilhelmsen Maritime Services’ proposed $400 million acquisition of Drew Marine Group would violate antitrust laws and reduce competition for marine water treatment chemicals that are used by global fleets.
SEC alleges Bitcoin platform operated as unregistered securities exchange
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges Feb. 21 against BitFunder, a Bitcoin-denominated platform, and its founder Jon E. Montroll, for allegedly operating an unregistered securities exchange, as well as for defrauding users of that exchange.
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EEOC alleges construction company fired employees because of disabilities
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Feb. 21 against Construction Corporation, a construction and industrial contractor in San Antonio, for allegations of disability discrimination.
DOJ memo addresses 'parasitic' whistleblower cases under False Claims Act
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Department of Justice is changing its stance on procedure for actions under the False Claims Act, a law that targets companies that cheat government offices and is often used by whistleblowers who can be awarded a significant percentage of what is recovered.
Legally blind law student now files discrimination suit against makers of LSAT
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) – A civil rights lawsuit filed by a blind law student has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan after he unsuccessfully sued the American Bar Association.
Settlement reached in Emery Credit Union class action lawsuit
CINCINNATI (Legal Newsline) – Preliminary approval has been given to a class action settlement involving Emery Federal Credit Union.