News from July 2018
Louisiana, federal government allege Shell is liable for damages from Gulf oil spill
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) – The federal government and Louisiana are seeking damages from an oil production company over a 2016 pipeline leak that discharged several thousand gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.
EEOC alleges Hawaii health insurance provider discriminated against disabled employees
HONOLULU — The federal government is suing a major health insurance provider over allegations the provider denied intermittent leave to a class of disabled employees by abruptly changing a company policy.
EEOC alleges Texas painting company fired employee who was in opioid recovery treatment
HOUSTON — A Beaumont, Texas, painting company is being sued by the federal government for alleged discrimination against an employee who was fired because he was in opioid dependency recovery treatment.
Citibank, consumer board reach $335 million agreement to settle credit card claim
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Citibank has reached a $335 million agreement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to settle claims the company violated the Truth in Lending Act for not re-evaluating and reducing annual percentage rates for 1.75 million of its consumer credit card accounts.
FTC obtains court order to stop 2 California companies from alleged deceptive marketing
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The federal government has obtained a court order that halts the alleged deceptive marketing and billing of two California companies that sell skincare products, resolving resolves charges against dating back to June 2015.
California online training services company settles FTC charges of false privacy shields
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a settlement with a California online training services company that allegedly posted false claims relating to its Privacy Shield participation.
Federal court grants FTC request to halt Internet marketing companies' alleged deceptive advertising
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been granted an order from a federal district court which terminates several San Diego Internet marketing companies from continuing what the FTC alleges is deceptive "free trial" advertising and offers.
Allegations of MFA's Clean Air Act violations produces $850,000 settlement
WASHINGTON, D.C. — MFA Incorporated of Columbia, Missouri, and its subsidiary, MFA Enterprises Incorporated, have settled with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for $850,000 relating to allegations of chemical accident prevention violations.
Hong Kong bank to pay $47 million for Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Hong Kong investment bank will pay a $47 million criminal penalty to resolve allegations by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) that the bank violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) when it awarded jobs to friends and family of Chinese officials.
EEOC alleges Halliburton subjected 2 Muslim employees to harassment, discrimination
DALLAS — The federal government has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas Dallas Division against Halliburton Energy Services Inc. for allegedly subjecting two Muslim employees to national origin and religious discrimination.
Federal defense contractor reaches $100,000 settlement with EEOC
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal defense contractor has reached a $100,000 settlement to resolve a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Commission (EEOC), alleging the company denied an employee's transfer related to his son's medical issues then replaced the employee with a younger worker.
L.A. restaurant, nightclub settles EEOC charges of discrimination against pregnant servers
LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reached a $82,500 settlement with a Los Angeles restaurant and jazz nightclub for allegations it denied working hours to pregnant employees.
High-low settlement cancels $36M Ga. verdict, but plaintiffs can relitigate pain and suffering claims
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) – The Georgia Supreme Court has ruled that damages sought in a wrongful death lawsuit against Toyota Motor Co. are limited by a rule against double recovery.
Railroads avoid $6B Iowa class action over 2008 flood
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a district court ruling that prohibits a group of property owners from suing railways for damages related to a 2008 Iowa flood.
Bumble Bee Foods wants lawsuit over alleged tuna price-fixing dismissed
AKRON, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Bumble Bee Foods claimed in its motion to dismiss that an Ohio man suing the company over allegations it conspired with other major tuna brands doesn’t have a solid case.
Organizations allege New Jersey city exposes residents to lead in drinking water
NEWARK, NJ (Legal Newsline) – Two organizations allege the drinking water in areas of a New Jersey city contains elevated levels of lead.
Ohio man alleges Tesla vehicle hasn't been repaired, seeks return of purchase price
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) – An Ohio consumer alleges a Tesla vehicle he leased is impaired and is seeking a return of the purchase price.
Georgia corporations alleged to have submitted fraudulent Medicaid claims
BRUNSWICK, Ga. (Legal Newsline) – Three Georgia corporations are alleged to have submitted false Medicaid claims.
Texas Supreme Court rules city's single-use bag ban violates statute
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) – On June 22, the Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling that affirmed the city of Laredo’s ordinance banning single-use plastic or paper bags by merchants violates a Texas statute, a ruling that could end the state-wide single-bag bans.
After amendment, Boulder's climate change lawsuit headed to federal court
The City of Boulder’s decision to add new claims to its climate change lawsuit has afforded defendants Exxon and Suncor the chance to transfer the case to federal court.