News from January 2018
FTC settles with Utah woman who allegedly helped telemarketers dupe consumers
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan 2 that it had reached a settlement with Jamie L. White of Utah over allegations of assisting telemarketers in bilking money from consumers.
Can a government official block a constituent from a Facebook page?
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) – As a panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit prepares to consider the appeal in a case pitting a Loudoun County, Va., official and a frequent critic, the ACLU is stepping in.
Computer Sciences Corp. takes issue with Maryland's fraud claims
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – Los Angeles-based Computer Sciences Corp. (CSC) has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit brought against it by the state of Maryland that claimed CSC deliberately misrepresented its capabilities in creating a new Medicaid computer system.
Ala. Supreme Court rules damages cap does not apply to wrongful death suit against nurses
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – The Alabama Supreme Court has reversed a ruling in a wrongful death case and has ruled that the claims against nurses are not subject to a damages cap.
Calif. court gives hope to class action filed by custodians at ABM Industries
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California appellate court has reversed a lower court's decision denying class status to janitorial workers at ABM Industries who retained a wage and hour expert, noting “it appears that plaintiffs have identified a number of common questions suitable for classwide resolution.”
Justice Department secures $23.9 million from dental management company
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 10 that Benevis LLC, a dental management company, and more than 130 of its affiliated Kool Smiles dental clinics will pay $23.9 million after allegations of submitting false claims to state Medicaid programs for child dental services that were not medically needed.
EEOC: Louisville restaurant chain to pay 15 former female employees $340,000 after alleged harassment
INDIANAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Jan. 8 that Indi’s Fast Food Restaurant Inc., a restaurant chain in Louisville, will pay $340,000 to 15 former female employees after allegations of sexual harassment.
Virginia secures $150,000 for consumers victimized by alleged home improvement fraud scheme
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring announced Jan. 10 that his office has secured $150,000 in restitution for more than 60 consumers who were allegedly defrauded by Sea-Thru Windows Inc., a window seller and installer, and its president and sole owner, Jeffery C. Pesich.
Rhode Island settles decade-long case targeting state's Department of Children, Youth, Families
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Jan. 8 that the state has settled a decade-long civil action brought forth by Children’s Rights Inc. over the quality of care at the Rhode Island Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).
Whitney M. Young Health Center to pay $1.25 million to resolve improper billing allegations
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 12 that the Whitney M. Young Health Center will pay $1.25 million to resolve allegations of improper billing by its Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program.
New York City nursing home operator allegedly shut down two facilities without warning
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 5 that Allure Group will pay roughly $2 million in penalties after allegations of improperly handling facility closures.
New York: Johnson Controls self-reports False Claims Act violations, will pay $341,000
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 9 that Johnson Controls will pay $341,000 to resolve allegations of submitting falsified training certifications when bidding for state contracts in the Albany area.
EPA: StarKist Co. to pay $6.5 million after alleged Clean Water Act violations in Samoa
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 26 that StarKist Co. and its subsidiary, Starkist Samoa Co., have agreed to pay $6.5 million after allegations of violating stormwater rules of the Clean Water Act at a tuna processing plant in American Samoa.
California: Royal Bank of Scotland to pay $125 million for alleged role in financial crisis
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Dec. 22 the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), a financial conglomerate with holdings throughout the world, will pay $125 million after allegations of misrepresentations about residential mortgage-backed securities sold to CalPERS and CalSTRS, the state’s public employee and teacher pension funds.
Arizona: Hunting company to pay $30,000 after failing to deliver services
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Jan. 3 that Sonoran Outfitters Adventures LLC and owner Todd Basil Rice will pay $30,000 after allegations of failing to deliver on the goods and services they sold to consumers.
Florida consumers to receive refunds after settlement with Avis, Budget, Payless
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Jan 3 that consumers who rented a car from Avis, Budget or Payless between Jan. 1, 2010, and July 10, 2017, and were charged for e-Toll services, were eligible for a refund after a settlement between the state of Florida and Avis Budget Car Rental System LLC, which owns the three rental car companies.
EPA, Louisiana reach Clean Air Act settlement with Orion Engineered Carbons
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Dec. 22 that, along with the state of Louisiana, it reached a Clean Air Act settlement with Orion Engineered Carbons LLC worth more than $101.3 million.
Florida attorney general announces major ruling upholding RJR tobacco settlement
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Dec. 27 that a significant ruling has been made in regards to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (RJR), which is part of the state’s tobacco settlement agreement.
Washington state: Charity marketed services for children, duped consumers out of $1.5 million
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Dec. 26 that his office has filed a lawsuit against Roy Bronsin Haueter, his wife, and his children and their spouses for using non-profit donations for personal gain.
Philly judge voids third-party funding in NFL concussion litigation, but company hopes N.Y. colleague disagrees
PHILADELPHIA – A Philadelphia federal judge says agreements in which RD Legal Funding advanced money to plaintiffs in the pending NFL concussion litigation are void, but the attorney representing RD Legal has asked a judge in New York to ignore that finding.