News from January 2018
New York Supreme Court backs state's case against home heating company
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 17 that a ruling has been made by the New York Supreme Court in Schneiderman’s favor in the case against Champion Fuel and Service Corp. (Champion) and owner David DeSilva Sr.
California urges Congress to enact cannabis industry banking legislation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced Jan. 16 that he has joined a bipartisan coalition of 18 attorneys general to urge Congress to advance cannabis industry banking legislation.
Array BioPharma sues AstraZeneca over proceeds from cancer treatment drug, wants case heard in N.Y. state court
NEW YORK CITY (Legal Newsline) – Plaintiff Array BioPharma Inc. is asking that its complaint against defendant AstraZeneca PLC be remanded back to state court.
New York attorney general alleges Trump's EPA ignores smog rules
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Jan. 17 that New York has joined with Connecticut to sue the Trump administration over allegations of violating the Clean Air Act’s ground-level ozone pollution rules.
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Arizona attorney general lauds new 'regulatory sandbox' legislation
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Jan. 17 that he has worked with State Rep. Jeff Weninger (R-LD 17, Chandler) to introduce regulatory reduction legislation that should unburden financial product and service companies that use new technology.
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Arizona attorney general urges California court to reject 'imbalanced' softball bats settlement
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Jan. 16 that he is urging a California federal court to reject what he says is an imbalanced class action softball bats settlement.
Class actions over Gerber Good Start baby formula roll on
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A hearing is scheduled later this winter in two class action lawsuits that each claim Gerber Good Start baby formula makes health claims unsupported by science.
Pep Boys to pay $80,000, change retail pricing practices in New Jersey
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Jan. 12 that auto parts retailer Pep Boys will pay $80,000 and change its business practices after allegations of price violations and deceptive business practices.
Six Flags seeks dismissal of complaint over account numbers allegedly printed on receipts
CAMDEN, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Six Flags Great Adventure is asking the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey to dismiss a Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) complaint against it.
Washington state joins coalition fighting new FCC rules on net neutrality
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Jan. 16 that he is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to withdraw its new net neutrality rules.
California allows lawsuits against drug companies over generic versions they didn't make
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A split California Supreme Court has ruled drug maker Novartis can be liable warning labels on the generic version of a drug - even though it did not manufacture it.
Justice Department: Illegal Orlando health care kickback scheme defrauded TRICARE
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 12 that a group of Orlando-area health care industry professionals have been convicted for their alleged role in a fraudulent kickback scheme.
After $7M verdict, new trial on damages ordered in former L.A. Times sports columnist's discrimination lawsuit
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California appeals court has upheld a lower court’s ruling in a discrimination lawsuit against the Los Angeles Times by a longtime sports columnist.
Virginia home furnishings company to pay $10.5 million after alleged illegal importing from China
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Jan. 21 that Basset Mirror Company, a home furnishings business based in Virginia, will pay $10.5 million after allegations of making false statements on customs duties declarations in violation of the False Claims Act.
Look for new workplace sexual harassment bills to make it through N.Y. legislature
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – Two workplace sexual harassment bills introduced into the New York State Senate earlier this month could be headed to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk sooner rather than later, two Albany legislative and regulatory attorneys say.
DOJ punts on rulemaking, likely boosting ADA lawsuits and forcing judges to regulate
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - The Department of Justice has withdrawn proposed rules for accessible websites of public accommodations and state and local governments, in addition to non-fixed equipment and furnishings used in public places.
NYC's climate change lawsuit against energy industry is unnecessary, legal reform group says
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – On Jan. 10, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city recently filed suit against the five largest investor-owned fossil fuel companies, namely BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil and Royal Dutch Shell. The money from the lawsuit will be earmarked to protect the city from the effects of global warming.
Shutterfly customer alleges Groupon deal was deceptively advertised
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – An Illinois woman consumer alleges Shutterfly deceptively advertised on Groupon.
Man claims Nature's Path Organic Cereal box contains 40 percent slack-fill
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A California man claims that consumers are misled by the packaging of a brand of cereal into believing they are purchasing more cereal than they actually are.
Lawsuit lenders Oasis and LawCash to pay $2.3 million in Colorado predatory lending settlement
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Lawsuit lenders Oasis Legal Finance and LawCash (Plaintiff Funding Holding, Inc.) have been ordered to pay in excess of $2 million to settle claims they charged Colorado consumers excessive interest rates.