News from March 2018
Illinois attorney general seeks to shut down fraudulent tax preparation operators
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced Feb. 27 that her office has taken action against a Chicago tax preparer that allegedly stole thousands of dollars in illegal fees from consumers.
Virginia joins coalition urging FCC to block Sinclair-Tribune merger
RICHMOND, Va. (Legal Newsline) — Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced Feb 26 that he has joined a coalition of state attorneys general in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to not allow the proposed merger between Sinclair Broadcast Media Group and Tribune Media Company.
D.C. officials release statements after $3.5 million settlement with Terrance Sterling's family
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Karl A. Racine announced Feb. 21 that the district has reached a settlement with the family of the late Terrance Sterling for $3.5 million, resolving a lawsuit the family failed after Sterling was fatally shot by a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer in 2016.
Texas challenges lower court ruling invalidating 2 state congressional districts
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Feb. 26 that he will challenge a lower court ruling that invalidates two of Texas’ 36 congressional districts (27 and 35) and nine state Houston districts.
Rhode Island opposes 2019-2024 National Outer Continent Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) — Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced Feb. 28 that he has submitted formal comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) in opposition to the 2019-2024 National Outer Continent Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
New York leads coalition opposing EPA's potential replacement for Clean Power Plan
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced Feb. 27 that he is leading a coalition of 25 states, counties and cities in opposing the Trump administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in its creation of an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (advanced notice) on a “potential” replacement for the Clean Power Plan.
Arizona leads coalition attempting to stop allegedly unfair class action settlement
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Feb. 26 that he is leading a bipartisan coalition of 19 state attorneys general in urging a federal district court in New Jersey to reject a proposed class action settlement in the WTSO.com (Wines ‘Til Sold Out) case.
Tyson Poultry to pay $2 million after alleged Clean Water Act violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Feb. 27 that Tyson Poultry Inc. will pay $2 million after allegedly violating the Clean Water Act when it allowed discharges at its slaughter and processing facility in Monett, Missouri. The discharges purportedly led to a major loss of fish.
Justice Department targets major drug company's alleged adulterated drugs
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 1 that it has filed a civil complaint against Cantrell Drug Company and its co-owner and chief executive officer, James L. McCarley Jr., seeking a stoppage of allegedly adulterated drug distribution.
NYU Law sending free help to 10 Dem AGs for environmental causes; Marcellus Shale group 'alarmed' at message
NEW YORK – Democratic state attorneys general, like Pennsylvania's Josh Shapiro, are getting free help from New York University School of Law to bolster their environmental causes, though a Commonwealth business advocacy group worries this results in important work being outsourced to an out-of-state entity.
Mike Moore, of tobacco litigation fame, signs on to help Arkansas with opioid probe
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge recently announced that her office will retain help from private firms to potentially sue opioid makers - and one of those lawyers is a former attorney general of Mississippi who was a main player in the nationwide tobacco litigation of the 1990s that the opioid litigation is often likened to.
Maryland's MTBE suit should be heard in federal court, Atlantic Richfield says
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) – On Feb. 14, Atlantic Richfield Co. filed a notice to remove a lawsuit against it and other petroleum manufacturers by the State of Maryland from the Baltimore Circuit Court to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland.
N.J. court dismisses RICO lawsuit against plaintiffs firm, says accuser was close to being sanctioned
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New Jersey federal judge on Jan. 8 dismissed an amended complaint that accused a law firm of running a “racketeering-style” scam operation designed to generate bogus legal fees in class action lawsuits.
Maryland Court amends rule to include police officer names on CaseSearch
The Maryland Court of Appeals has decided to amend Maryland Rule 16-910, following a unanimous vote during an emergency meeting on March 6, 2018.
Chicky Tackle wants a judge to determine a pro fishing league was rigged
TYLER, Texas (Legal Newsline) – A company that sponsors a professional fishing team says the 2015 season was fixed to have a rival win Angler Team of the Year, while the defendants are asking a federal judge to toss the lawsuit.
RICO suit filed against Great Plains Lending over allegations of predatory online lending scheme
GREENSBORO, N.C. (Legal Newsline) – Three consumers allege that they were the victims of online payday lending schemes that attempted to circumvent federal law by issuing loans under Native American tribal business entities.
Diner at Los Angeles' La Boucherie restaurant files class action over food prices
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges a Los Angeles restaurant sells items that are advertised as being less expensive than what it actually charges consumers.
Georgia seeks lead role in national Equifax data breach case
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced March 1 that his office plans to take a lead role in the national Equifax data breach case.
Arizona attorney general joins 20-state coalition trying to strike down Affordable Care Act
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced Feb. 26 that he has joined a 20-state coalition that opposes the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate.
Deloitte settles False Claims Act allegations, will pay $149.5 million
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Feb. 28 that Deloitte & Touche LLP will pay $149.5 million after allegations of possibly violating the False Claims Act when auditing Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Mortgage Corp. (TBW).