News from January 2018
GOP state lawmakers join Supreme Court brief asking to reject challenge to compulsory union fees
A group of nine Republicans currently serving in the Illinois General Assembly, including two rookie state lawmakers, have signed their names to a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking the court to uphold the state’s ability to allow unions to extract fees from government employees who don’t wish to join a union, arguing the country’s founding federalist principles should allow the 50 states to decide such policy questions for themselves.
Rhode Island attorney general seeks to challenge proposed Invenergy power plant
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin says he will seek permission to file an amicus brief in the state's superior court to challenge the water supply plan for the proposed Invenergy power plant in Burrillville.
Cook County Circuit Court OKs $190 million settlement distribution By LCD manufacturers
CHICAGO — The Cook County Circuit Court recently approved the distribution of more than $190 million to Illinois residents, as part of settlements reached over the past several years between Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and manufacturers of liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors.
Illinois attorney general voices concern over $300 million spending approval for Peoples Gas
CHICAGO — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is criticizing a recent vote by the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) in which they declined to act on issues related to Peoples' Gas Accelerated Main Replacement Program (AMRP) after a two-year investigation by the commission.
Justice Department backs plaintiffs in Montana case involving alleged religious discrimination
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 18 that it supports the parents in a Montana Supreme Court case involving alleged religious discrimination by the state of Montana.
HSBC Holdings agrees to $100 million settlement after allegedly defrauding 2 major banks
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 18 that HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC), a global financial services company with headquarters in the United Kingdom, will pay $63.1 million in penalties and $38.4 million in disgorgement and restitution to resolve allegations of defrauding bank clients.
FTC finalizes Victory Media settlement, bans company from misrepresenting products to military personnel
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission announced Jan. 12 that, following a public comment period, the agency has issued a final order in the Victory Media case that resolves allegations that Victory Media deceptively promoted post-secondary schools to military consumers.
FTC to send $2.2 million in restitution to 7,583 consumers in alleged business coaching scam
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission announced Jan. 16 that it will mail 7,583 checks worth a total of about $2.2 million to consumers who were victimized by an alleged business coaching scam.
FTC staff offers comments on proposed Nebraska legislation to review licensing regulations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 18 that its staff has submitted written comments on proposed legislation in Nebraska that would initiate a comprehensive review of the state’s licensing regulations and laws.
FTC to update Textile Rules to reduce compliance costs for businesses
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 18 that it is updating the Rules and Regulations under the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act (Textile Rules).
FTC: Mortgage loan modification operation deceived vulnerable homeowners
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced Jan. 19 that it has charged a mortgage loan modification operation with deception against financially distressed homeowners.
EEOC: North Carolina hospital to pay $89,000 after refusing religious accommodations for vaccines
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Jan. 12 that Mission Hospital Inc., an Asheville, North Carolina, corporation and the main hospital of Mission Health System, will pay $89,000 after allegations of religious discrimination.
With bipartisan support, bill to undo Obama-era 'Operation Choke Point' awaits action in Senate
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Bipartisan legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives in December with an eye toward undoing the unintended consequences of the Obama-era Operation Choke Point program may not quickly come up in the Senate, says a financial services attorney who still believes it stands a "decent" chance to become law.
Boulder's climate change suit 'pretty crazy,' group says; City will hire unnamed D.C. law firm
BOULDER, Colo. (Legal Newsline) - The Colorado city of Boulder is ready to sue the energy sector over climate change, joining a group of other government entities that have already done the same. Now, it has to prove its case.
Man alleges Wal-Mart's Organic Marketside eggs are falsely advertised
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A Pittsburg, California consumer alleges he paid a premium for eggs that were falsely advertised as being laid by hens with outdoor access.
Structured settlement company Future Income Payments behind suit against CFPB
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A previously anonymous company that filed suit against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) last year has now been identified as Future Income Payments LLC (FIP), a company investigated by numerous states for questionable loan practices.
Chicago law firm the first to file lawsuits over Washington Amtrak derailment
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A Chicago attorney says several factors may have led to the derailment of the Amtrak train near Tacoma, Washington, on Dec. 18. He is representing some of the plaintiffs who are suing Amtrak over the incident.
Judge allows class action over Cosco car seats to continue
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A federal judge has denied a car seat maker's motion to dismiss a class action against it over allegations the seats were mislabeled as to the height and weight of the child the seats could accommodate.
Slack-fill class action over Fruit Bliss date product transferred to N.Y. court
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A U.S. District Court for the Central District of California approved Penguin Trading Inc.'s motion to transfer a class action suit over slack-fill allegations to a New York court.
Stockholder alleges YuMe filed incomplete form with SEC regarding RhythmOne agreement
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A stockholder of California advertising company YuMe is seeking to enjoin its merger agreement with RhythmOne.