News from July 2018
Maryland to join lawsuit challenging new federal tax law designed to cap SALT deductions
BALTIMORE — The state of Maryland has joined in a lawsuit that challenges a new federal tax law that will add a cap to and reduce state and local tax (SALT) deductions.
Maryland court rules state law reigns over federal in suit over woman’s Medicare payments
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Legal Newsline) – The Maryland Court of Special Appeals on July 5 turned back the appeal of a representative of a deceased woman who claimed the state’s Maryland Act should be pre-empted by a federally run Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Act.
Former Abbott employees allege employment with Nevro does not violate agreement
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – Two citizens of New York and Florida allege that they have not breached their agreements with their former health care company employer to work for a California company.
Wisconsin's Scion Dental, EEOC settle racial discrimination lawsuit
MILWAUKEE (Legal Newsline) — A Wisconsin-based dental benefit administration company has agreed to settle a race discrimination suit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
EEOC alleges racial discrimination in suit against Lafayette Schools' Federal Credit Union
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Lafayette Schools' Federal Credit Union for alleged racial discrimination.
Golden Corral franchisee settles hostile work environment claim by employee with autism
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Legal Newsline) — A North Carolina Golden Corral franchisee has reached a settlement with the federal government to resolve allegations that it subjected an employee with autism to a hostile workplace.
AngioDynamics agrees to $12.5 million settlement with DOJ over False Claims Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — A New York medical device manufacturer who has been accused by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) of fraudulent Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare program billing has agreed to a $12.5 million settlement.
Southern SNF Management, Rehab Services in Motion to pay $10 million over false Medicare claims
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — After facing allegations of submitting false Medicare claims, two consulting companies and nine of its affiliated skilled nursing facilities in Florida and Alabama have agreed to a $10 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Transport company’s appeal of $490K oil spill award turned back by Maine Supreme Court
PORTLAND, Maine (Legal Newsline) – The Maine Supreme Judicial Court on July 12 denied the appeal of a trucking company, affirming an earlier trial court judgment of $490,000 in favor of a Maine couple for an oil spill that degraded their property.
Bid to introduce cancer warnings on breakfast cereal packaging fails in California court
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A doctor's attempt to force cereal companies to display cancer warnings on the packaging of household name products sold in California has failed.
N.J. lawmakers need to address meritless, copycat lawsuits against gyms, attorney says
WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – Who knew "gym suits" could be so classy?
California ordered to immediately return subprime crisis money 'unlawfully diverted' to general fund
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – California must immediately return more than $300 million transferred to the state's general fund from its share of billions of dollars paid by the country's largest mortgage services companies for their alleged roles in the subprime mess.
City of New York to pay $20.8 million to resolve discrimination allegations by RNs, midwives
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The City of New York has agreed to a $20.8 million settlement to resolve charges that it discriminated against city-employed RNs and midwives for not recognizing their jobs as "physically taxing" as it relates to retirement age and full pension options.
Founder of Michigan body armor company settles with DOJ over defective bulletproof vests
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The founder and former president of a Michigan company who is accused of selling defective bulletproof vests to law enforcement agencies will settle the claim, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
Former Energy XXI CEO accepts permanent SEC injunction after allegedly hiding personal loans
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Former Energy XXI Ltd., CEO and board member John Schiller Jr., has accepted a permanent injunction after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed charges alleging he hid more than $10 million in personal loans from vendors and a company board candidate.
Triton Management Group agrees to settle allegations of failing to disclose finance charges in ads
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently resolved its allegations against a small-dollar lender who failed to disclose finance charges in its advertisements.
Appeals court dismisses call for California consumers to be reimbursed sales tax on Ensure
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A California appeals court has dismissed an action over claims that consumers were wrongly charged sales tax on a line of nutritional drink products.
Jury sides with Celanese Corp. in $8M South Carolina asbestos case
SPARTANBURG, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – Following a four-day asbestos exposure trial, 12 jurors found in favor of Celanese Corp. on July 19, ruling that the plaintiff’s mesothelioma was not directly caused by the defendant.
California court denies appeal of snowboarder whose leg was amputated after striking snowcat
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The Court of Appeals for the State of California 3rd District on June 27 denied the appeal of a woman who sued the ski run where she was severely injured in a snowboarding accident.