News from June 2018
Legal finance companies descend on Florida convention to build relationships with trial lawyers
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - As Florida trial lawyers gathered last week for an annual meeting featuring an array of trending litigation seminars, another industry set up shop in a big way at the convention hall site.
Judge boots global warming cases of San Francisco, Oakland against oil industry
A California federal judge has rejected the efforts of municipal officials who teamed with private lawyers to seek to hold the energy industry liable for the alleged future effects of climate change.
Former pro baseball player sues AP, ESPN and USA Today for defamation over article about elk antler supplement
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – A former professional baseball player and his company are suing ESPN, The Associated Press and USA Today after a 2016 news article was published that had alleged false information. The three defendants have filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit.
Justice Department reaches $22.51 million settlement with Florida company for false Medicare claims
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a $22.51 million settlement with a Florida company that manages nearly 700 hospital-based wound care centers through the country, for alleging billing Medicare for medically unnecessary hyperbaric oxygen.
Connecticut reaches $200,000 settlement with Waterbury social worker for alleged Medicaid fraud
HARTFORD — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen has reached a $200,000 settlement with a Waterbury licensed clinical social worker and two of his behavioral health practices to resolve a lawsuit alleging long-term Medicaid fraud.
Montana Supreme Court rules Carlyle Infrastructure Partners entitled to fees in Missoula's water system case
HELENA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) – The parent company of the former owner of Missoula, Montana’s water supply system is entitled to legal fees, the Montana Supreme Court determined June 5.
Michigan court reverses ruling in medical malpractice case over spider bite treatment
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) – The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed a lower court’s decision in a medical malpractice case, ruling that the plaintiff failed to provide sufficient evidence that negligence was the cause of his injuries.
Pennsylvania attorney general reaches $357 million tobacco settlement
HARRISBURG — A settlement reached by Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro with various tobacco companies has resolved 20 years of disputed payments from the 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement and will bring the state nearly $357 million in settlement funds in addition to its annual $350 million received from tobacco companies.
Connecticut accuses Norwich professional counselor of Medicaid billing fraud, destruction of records
HARTFORD — Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen has filed a lawsuit against a Norwich licensed professional counselor, alleging the provider billed the state's Medicaid program for services not rendered and for not maintaining or destroying records.
Widower’s $20 million award affirmed by Mass. court; Car drove through convenience store, killing woman
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) – On June 6, the Massachusetts Court of Appeals affirmed an amended award of $20 million to the spouse of a woman instantly killed when a car crashed into a Cumberland Farms convenience store and struck her.
Rhode Island attorney general lauds legislature's passage of bad contractors bill
PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin has applauded the state legislature's recent passage of a bill that increases penalties for licensed contractors who are convicted of failing to comply with Contractors' Registration and License Board (CRLB) orders.
Iowa SC affirms public-duty doctrine bars county from liability in auto accident case; Dissent calls it 'confusing'
DES MOINES (Legal Newsline) – The Iowa Supreme Court upheld a district court ruling that the public-duty doctrine barred Humboldt County from liability for the injuries a passenger suffered when a car crashed into a concrete embankment put up by the landowner.
SEC reaches $42 million settlement with Merrill Lynch for allegedly misleading customers
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has reached a $42 million settlement charges against Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith for allegedly misleading customers about how the company's trades were executed.
Woman appeals dismissal of suit over Bed, Bath & Beyond pillows; She was offered refund before filing suit
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) – Bed, Bath & Beyond’s legal matters with a customer who alleged it misled consumers continues as the woman challenged the court’s dismissal of her negligent misrepresentation case.
Delta Faucet reaches settlement with Department of Labor for alleged FMLA violations
JACKSON, Miss. — The U.S Department of Labor has reached a settlement with Delta Faucet Co., for allegations the company violated the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by firing an employee for taking time off to care for a family member.
Motley Rice hit with RICO lawsuit by jailed ex-billionaire it accused of funding terrorism
Six days after the FBI arrested billionaire Raj Rajaratnam on insider-trading charges in October 2009, lawyers at Motley Rice hit him with their own charge: Financing terror.
Labaton escalates spat with judge in State Street case, demands ex parte communications
Labaton Sucharow, having failed to get a federal judge to recuse himself, asked him to turn over records of any out-of-court communications with the special master probing allegations that Labaton overcharged its clients and improperly shared part of its $75 million fee.
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY: U.S. EPA Reaches Agreement with Herzog Wine Cellars to Prevent Unlawful Wastewater Discharges
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced an agreement with Herzog Wine Cellars over violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
UNITED STATES FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: Decrypting Cryptocurrency Scams to be held on June 25.
As consumer interest in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin has grown, scammers have reportedly become more active in this area.
UNITED STATES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISION: J.C. Witherspoon To Pay $53,000 To Settle EEOC Religious Discrimination Lawsuit
Logging Company Fired Hebrew Pentecostal Truck Driver Because of His Sabbath Requirement, Federal Agency Charged