News from July 2018
EEOC targets Washington state construction company that allegedly fired employee for having epilepsy
SEATTLE — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against a Washington state construction company that allegedly fired an employee because of her epilepsy.
Transamerica Premier Life to pay Massachusetts nearly $20,000 for policies sold by unlicensed agent
BOSTON — Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company has agreed to refund consumer premiums and to pay Massachusetts nearly $20,000 for allegations that one of its agents sold polices in the state without holding a license.
Maryland attorney general challenges FAA over flight path changes at 2 airports
BALTIMORE — Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh has filed two petitions against the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) implementation of changes to flight paths at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
Woman alleges she received marketing texts from J.C. Penney without her consent
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A Bronx County resident has filed a class-action lawsuit against a department store over allegations it sent her promotional text messages without her consent.
Consumer claims Cox Communications can't deliver internet speeds promised
SANTA ANA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A California consumer alleges an internet service provider misleads consumers by promising internet speeds it could not reliably deliver.
Nonprofits challenging New York law regarding approval of Medicaid program advertising
SYRACUSE, NY (Legal Newsline) – Several nonprofit corporations in New York are challenging the state's requirement that advertisements regarding the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program must be submitted for approval.
Florida insurance broker firm alleged to have billed double commissions
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Three corporations allege a Florida insurance brokerage collected millions in unauthorized commissions.
Attorneys general coalition targets EPA over hydrofluorocarbons use
SACRAMENTO — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is the latest to join a coalition of 11 attorneys general who filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in an effort to fight what they allege is the agency's "illegal" decision to allow companies to use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in their products.
Nebraska investigation of Goodwill Omaha leads to consent judgment
LINCOLN — After a nearly two-year investigation of Goodwill Omaha by the Nebraska Attorney General's Office, a consent judgment has been filed alleging the nonprofit misled consumers and "squandered charitable assets" to compensate executives.
District of Columbia, major insurance companies OK agreement to correct physician directory errors
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The District of Columbia and three major insurance companies have reached an agreement for the insurers to correct errors in their online and print directories and to pay the district's investigation cost of $50,000.
Arizona attorney general seeks to intervene in 'serial litigator' case
PHOENIX — As part of an effort to stop an attorney who has filed nearly 2,000 disability lawsuits in Arizona in recent years, state Attorney General Mark Brnovich has filed a motion to intervene in a federal appeal related to what he calls the "serial litigator."
Rhode Island accuses opioid manufacturers, distributors of deceptive marketing
PROVIDENCE — The Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General has filed a civil lawsuit against several prescription opioid manufacturers and distributors, alleging deceptive and fraudulent marketing of opioids in the state.
New York, FTC seek to halt Buffalo area 'debt collection scheme'
BUFFALO — New York state has joined the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in filing a lawsuit against two debt collection companies and their owners who allegedly ran a "debt collection scheme" in the Buffalo area.
Rhode Island sues over climate change, using similar claims the state Supreme Court has already rejected
R.I. AG Peter Kilmartin better hope Rhode Island courts import California’s concept of public nuisance law, since the last time a Rhode Island AG tried this tactic, over lead paint, the state Supreme Court rejected the claim entirely.
Mass. court: Creditors that don't leave voicemails still open to lawsuits
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled June 25 that regulations regarding phone calls to consumers applies to creditors who use automatic dialing devices or voluntarily do not leave a voicemail message.
Executives beware: Social media posts will make it into depositions
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – As the country ponders if, or when, the most powerful chief executive in the U.S. will find the details of his tweets fired back at him in deposition hearings, business leaders are being warned over their own social media sense.
9 state attorneys generals join legal effort challenging EPA directive
SACRAMENTO — Attorneys generals for nine states have joined forces to file an amicus brief in support of plaintiffs who are fighting an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directive which prohibits scientists who received EPA grants from serving on the agency's advisory committee.
Arizona attorney general reaches settlement with Tempe over alleged improper tax breaks
PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has reached a settlement with the city of Tempe to settle a lawsuit alleging the city used improper tax breaks for private developments.
Supreme Court returns Arlene's Flowers v. Washington State to state high court for review
OLYMPIA — The U. S. States Supreme Court has issued a grant, vacate and remand ruling in Arlene's Flowers Inc. v. Washington State, a case involving a Washington state flower shop that refused to provide flowers for a same-sex wedding, which sends the case back to Washington Supreme Court for review.
FTC, Nevada granted court order to permanently shut down 'revenge porn site'
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission and the state of Nevada have obtained an order from the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada to permanently shut down a "revenge porn site," which is required to pay more than $2 million after violating state and federal laws.