News from June 2018
42 state attorneys general reach $100 million settlement with Citibank
PHOENIX — A group of 42 state attorneys general has reached a $100 million settlement with Citibank over allegations of fraudulently manipulating the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) which impacts trillions of dollars in financial instruments' worth as well as the global market.
Consent judgments issued over Massachusetts complaint alleging land owner dumped solid waste
BOSTON — Consent judgments recently were entered in the Suffolk Superior Court for the settlement of a complaint by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey against Russell land owners and three companies who allegedly dumped solid waste and altered wetlands.
Consumer board reaches $5 million settlement with South Carolina business in debt collection case
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has reached a $5 million settlement with a South Carolina business and its' subsidiaries regarding allegations of improper debt collection and credit furnishing practices.
FTC reaches settlement with California tech support company linked to India-based scam
WASHINGTON, D.C. —The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reached a $136,000 settlement with a California tech support company for alleged involvement in an India-based scam.
Federal judge sends New Mexico lawsuit against McKesson back to state court
ALBUQUERQUE — A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed by New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas against pharmaceutical distributor McKesson Corporation, will be returned to the state court where the case was originally filed in April.
Newell Brands stockholder alleges stock was purchased at artificially inflated prices
TRENTON, NJ (Legal Newsline) – A company headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey and its executives are alleged to have concealed facts from investors.
Raritan Baykeeper alleges metal scrap yard in New York is discharging polluted storm water without permit
BROOKLYN, NY (Legal Newsline) – A nonprofit alleges that metal scrap yard in New York is unlawfully discharging polluted storm water that eventually dumps into the Jamaica Bay.
Texas nonprofit challenges redefinition of US waters
GALVESTON, Texas (Legal Newsline) – A nonprofit organization in Texas alleges that a rule published by two federal agencies violates the constitution.
FTC reaches $7 million settlement in alleged 'get-rich-quick scheme' from spam emails
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Operators and their related companies accused of what the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is calling a "get-rich-quick scheme" have reached a $7 million settlement for allegations of deceiving consumers by falsely promising consumers they could earn money working online.
Oklahoma attorney general announces $64 million rate reduction settlement with energy supplier
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) Energy Corp., has agreed to a $64 million rate reduction settlement which Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is touting as an historic event that will result in lower utility bills for OG&E customers starting this summer.
Oklahoma to fight Purdue Pharma's attempt to transfer opioid lawsuit to Ohio federal court
OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is vowing to fight Purdue Pharma's recent attempt to transfer Oklahoma's lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company to an Ohio federal court and calling it an abuse of the legal system.
California company settles Massachusetts allegations over unlawful fees, misleading consumers
BOSTON — A California loan debt relief company which faced allegations by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey of charging unlawful upfront fees and misleading consumers, has agreed to pay $44,593 and to stop doing business in Massachusetts.
Arkansas joins coalition to support not extending Title VII protection for sexual orientation
LITTLE ROCK — A coalition of eight states led by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge has filed an amicus brief to support Midwest Geriatric Management, LLC regarding Title VII protection for sexual orientation.
11-state coalition wins legal victory in fight to regulate land, water
ATLANTA — A coalition of 11 states that is fighting the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule has gained a legal victory as the Southern District of Georgia granted a preliminary injunction blocking the WOTUS Rule for Georgia as well as 10 other states.
18 states oppose Tristar pressure cooker class action settlement
PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has filed a brief in Ohio federal court as part of an 18 state-coalition of attorneys general to oppose a class action settlement for defective Tristar pressure cookers, which exploded and injured consumers.
Michigan court upholds omission of Conyers III's name from ballot because of lack of valid signatures
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) – Michigan’s Court of Appeals issued a ruling on June 12 affirming the Wayne County Circuit Court's decision to deny John Conyers III’s petition for a court order that would put his name back in the running as a candidate for the 13th Congressional District.
US Supreme Court: Forced collection of 'fair share' union fees unconstitutional, violates workers' free speech rights
Compelling non-union government workers to pay so-called “fair share fees” to unions they do not wish to join violates the First Amendment speech rights of non-union workers and is unconstitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled, finding in favor of an Illinois state worker who had sued to end the fees, also known as agency fees, in Illinois and across the country.
A closely watched climate case is dismissed; Will the others survive?
The private lawyers who engineered the latest round of municipal lawsuits over climate change hoped they’d found a path through the thicket of precedents blocking their way by suing oil companies for selling hydrocarbons instead of burning them and by citing state instead of federal law.