News from January 2018
DOJ crackdown on 'sanctuary cities' a danger to public safety, amicus brief co-author says
Local law enforcement needs to be able to work with its immigrant communities unfettered by a Justice Department policy that ties federal funding to immigration-based requirements, a co-author of a brief in a Los Angeles case said during a recent interview.
House Judiciary Dems attempt hijacking of legal reform hearing to debate role in Trump/Russia
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Ahead of President Donald Trump’s first State of the Union address, Democrats in the House Judiciary Committee attempted a hijacking of sorts Tuesday against Republican leadership during a hearing on legislation that targets insurance costs for infrastructure projects in New York.
Phoney Lawsuits: TCPA plaintiff didn't really want texts to STOP, group claims
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A woman who couldn't follow directions to "STOP" receiving text messages shouldn't be allowed to sue over them, a group representing the interests of credit and collections professionals says.
Calif. AG fears possible effects of union fees case at U.S. Supreme Court
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – An amicus brief filed by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra argues public employees should have to pay union fees even if they fell that it contributes to political pandering.
Opioid litigants to talk settlement at closed-door meeting in Cleveland
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - Lawyers for more than 200 cities, counties and other entities suing the opioid industry will meet with their counterparts from the defense in a federal courtroom in Cleveland tomorrow to begin the process of hammering out a potential multibillion-dollar settlement.
Philadelphia companies claim Murata Manufacturing, others fixed inductor prices
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – Two Philadelphia, Pennsylvania companies that offer energy cost control applications for commercial businesses allege that they paid more for inductors because of a conspiracy by manufacturers.
Florida estate sale business owner alleges Fox, 'Pawn Stars' producer damaged reputation
ORLANDO, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A Maitland, Florida owner of an estate sale business alleges the television production company responsible for "Pawn Stars" and Fox News Network damaged his reputation and forced him to close his business.
EEOC: Ohio knife-making company fired employee because of his anxiety
TOLEDO, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit Jan. 19 against Busse Combat Knife Company for allegations of discharging an employee because of a disability.
FTC: 7-Eleven to divest 76 fuel stores to complete $3.3 billion acquisition of Sunoco outlets
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 19 that Seven & i Holdings Ltd., the parent company of 7-Eleven convenience stores that is based in Tokyo, will divest select retail fuel outlets in order to complete its proposed $3.3 billion acquisition of about 1,100 retail fuel outlets from Sunoco.
U.S. court orders Dr. Reddy's to pay $5 million for alleged poison prevention violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 19 that Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Inc. has been ordered to pay $5 million in civil penalties by a federal court in New Jersey for allegations of failing to comply with the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA) and the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA).
California medical devices company to pay $7.62 million after subsidiary defrauded TRICARE
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 23 that DJO Global Inc. (DJO), a Vista, California, company that produces medical devices, will pay $7.62 million after allegations its subsidiary, Empi Inc. violated the False Claims Act by making improper billings to TRICARE.
San Diego health care system allegedly improperly billed Medicare, TRICARE
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 19 that Scripps Health (Scripps), a health care system based in San Diego, will pay $1.5 million after allegations of improperly charging federal health care programs for certain physical therapy services in violation of the False Claims Act.
FTC: Hat company falsely told consumers products were 'made in America'
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 23 that Bollman Hat Company, and its wholly owned subsidiary SaveAnAmericanJob, will stop making alleged false claims about its products after a settlement with the agency.
2 California urologists to pay $1.085 million for alleged violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 23 that California urologists Dr. Aytac Apaydin and Dr. Stephen Worsham will pay $1.085 million after allegations of submitting false claims to Medicare in violation of the physician self-referral law and the Anti-Kickback Statute.
Illinois attorney general to push utility companies to lower prices
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Jan. 23 that her office will immediately push for state utility companies to pass on savings from the new federal tax law to consumers.
Texas targets vegetation management company's role in massive 2011 fire that killed 2
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Jan. 19 that his office is suing Asplundh Tree Expert Company for alleged neglect that caused a fire at the Bastrop Complex in 2011.
EEOC loses again as it backs Muslim women who say they weren't hired because of hijabs
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – After more than four years of litigation and two court victories, it looks like an airplane cleaning service might finally be clear from the federal agency that pushed the case all the way to a federal appeals court.
Scaffold Law reform considered by House Judiciary; N.Y. law covers construction falls
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A New York congressman is frustrated with one of his state’s laws that he says unnecessarily costs homeowners and taxpayers millions of dollars per year in order to line the pockets of trial lawyers.
Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor seeks to halt New Jersey's proposed withdrawal
CAMDEN, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A bi-state commission between New York and New Jersey is seeking to stop New Jersey from withdrawing from it.
Inkaholik Tattoos Inc. alleged to have sent 50 unwanted text messages to Florida woman
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A Florida woman alleges a Miami tattoo parlor sent her dozens of unwanted text messages.