News from January 2018
Washington state targets Motel 6 to protect consumer privacy after national immigration case
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced a lawsuit Jan. 3 against Motel 6, a national hotel chain, for allegations of voluntarily delivering guest lists to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for the past two years.
Ohio consumers to receive $1.2 million of national settlement with PHH Mortgage
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine announced Jan. 3 that his office has joined 48 other states and the District of Columbia to secure $45 million in settlement funds from PHH Mortgage Corporation.
EEOC: Health services company to pay $38,000 to resolve pregnancy discrimination case
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 22 that Dependable Health Services Inc., a health care staffing company, agreed to a $38,000 settlement that resolves allegations the company committed disability discrimination by firing a pregnant employee who sought reasonable accommodation.
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Center for Class Action Fairness contests $8.5 million settlement in Google case, wants SCOTUS to review
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – The Center for Class Action Fairness (CCAF) is opposing a proposed class action settlement involving Google and hopes the U.S. Supreme Court will hear its arguments.
Justice Department: Keppel Offshore & Marine to pay $422 million after alleged massive bribery scheme
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 22 that Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd. (KOM), a shipyard operator with headquarters in Singapore, and its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Keppel Offshore & Marine USA Inc. (KOM USA), will pay a total of $422 million after allegations of bribing Brazilian government officials.
FTC: 2 fertilizer, chemical companies to divest production facilities before merger
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Dec. 27 that Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc., fertilizer and chemical companies with headquarters in Canada, will divest two U.S. production facilities in order to complete their proposed merger.
Kmart agrees to $32.3 million penalty after alleged improper reporting of prescription drug discounts
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Dec. 22 that Kmart Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holding Corporation (SHC), will pay $32.3 million after allegations that pharmacies within Kmart stores failed to report discounted prescription drug prices.
FTC supports Pennsylvania legislation to allow nurse practitioners to work independently
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 4 that members of its staff have submitted written comments regarding the competitive impact of a legislative proposal that would modify nurse practitioner supervision requirements in Pennsylvania.
EEOC: Colorado hospital owes $400,000 for alleged age discrimination
MONTROSE, Colo. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Jan. 4 that Montrose Memorial Hospital will pay $400,000 after allegations of age discrimination.
Climate change made me do it: Activists press the 'necessity defense'
SPOKANE, Wash. (Legal Newsline) - On Sept. 23, 2016, a group of protesters blocked a Burlington Northern Santa Fe freight train carrying coal in Spokane, Wash., to prevent the earth from warming up. From a scientific standpoint, the action was absurd: Stopping a single trainload of coal could hardly have any more impact on global climate change than the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings in Tanzania.
Manufacturers' group calls ExxonMobil's move toward counter-suing a 'win'
A group that backs the interests of energy producers calls ExxonMobil's recent move toward counter-suing parties involved in California climate change litigation a "win" for manufacturers.
Facebook alleged to have sent automated text messages without consent
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges a social media company sent her unwanted text messages without her permission.
Wagoner Medical Center alleged to have submitted false Medicaid claims
HAMMOND, Ind. (Legal Newsline) – An Indiana medical office is alleged to have submitted thousands of false claims to Indiana Medicaid.
Former Applied Acoustics International employee files suit over biometric data policy
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – An Illinois man claims that his former employers never informed him of their biometric data retention policy.
Intel Corp. computer processor alleged to have security flaws
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A New York consumer alleges a computer processor has security flaws.
T-Mobile Northeast files suit against Massachusetts city over denial of permit for facility
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – A Massachusetts city is facing a suit from a telecommunications provider over its denial of a permit to construct a facility.
Exxon prepares to sue Calif. cities, says they contradict themselves on climate change
FORT WORTH, Texas (Legal Newsline) - Some government officials in California are hypocrites pushing a political agenda that involves using private lawyers to sue and demonize ExxonMobil, the company is now arguing in a Texas state court.
Ph.D. student seeks more than $2 million from Capella University over fraud allegations
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – A Ph.D. student residing in Texas is seeking more than $2 million in damages over allegations a Minneapolis university deceived and defrauded him.
Law firm seeks more than $150,000 from Windstream Communications over phone service
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – A Deerfield Beach, Florida law firm alleges a phone service provider failed to provide functional service.
HCC Medical Insurance Services LLC, others named in racketeering suit over short-term medical insurance plans
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – Three consumers claim that insurance companies deceived policyholders about certain plans.