News from March 2018
Whistleblowers need to report to SEC under new SCOTUS ruling
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Employers may find themselves in more federal court cases after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in February ruling that whistleblowers are not protected under the anti-retaliation provision of the Dodd-Frank Act unless they file a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
N.Y. lawyers sue 40-plus companies on behalf of blind man in a month
BROOKLYN (Legal Newsline) – A class action suit on behalf of Eugene Duncan and other visually impaired plaintiffs is moving forward against Popular North America Inc. potentially in order to test the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ohio judge dismisses complaint by political blog over state's internet harassment law
AKRON, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – A federal judge has tossed out a suit against the state's attorney general and two county prosecuting attorneys filed by plaintiffs who alleged that Ohio Rev. Code by 2917.21(B)(2) violates the First and 14th Amendments "because it criminalizes constitutionally protected political expression on the internet."
Plaintiff suing over amount of candies in theater snacks seeks class certification
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A San Francisco plaintiff alleging negligent misrepresentation and violation of state law against an Illinois candy company is seeking class certification for his complaint over the amount of candy in boxes he purchased at a theater.
Washington court upholds denial of arbitration in wage dispute suit against Quality Food Centers
SEATTLE (Legal Newsline) – A Washington court of appeals has sided with a trial court in its decision to deny a motion to compel arbitration made by a supermarket chain in a class action lawsuit filed by a former employee alleging underpayment of wages.
Ala. couple suing owners of cow they crashed car into; Courts deny summary judgment
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) – On March 9, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals affirmed the judgment of a trial court to deny summary judgment to Robert and Mary Pauline Brewer after they struck a cow while driving home in March 2015.
Ohio residents allege CVS Health, others disclosed HIV status to public without authorization
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Three Ohio residents allege their HIV status was publicly disclosed without their authorization because of a mailing.
New York secures $363,000 from luxury lingerie brand that allegedly duped consumers
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced March 20 that Adore Me Inc. will pay $300,000 in penalties as well as $63,000 in consumer restitution after allegations it deceptively marketed its VIP membership program for a $39.95 monthly fee.
FTC settles with Utah firms for allegedly marketing movies in a deceptive manner
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 16 that three Utah firms and their owner will settle allegations of deceptively and illegally calling more than 117 million consumers to pitch their movies.
FTC announces federal court ban on 4 who push cryptocurrency referral scams
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 16 that a federal court has banned four individuals from allegedly promoting deceptive moneymaking schemes that involve cryptocurrency.
FTC reaches settlement with motor carrier registration scam group
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 19 that the operators of a registration service for motor carries have agreed to a settlement after allegations they impersonated, or falsely claimed affiliation with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
FTC modifies 2014 order against real estate data, analytics firm
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 15 that it will modify a 2014 order against CoreLogic Inc.
U.S. secures $66 million from producer of fiber used in bulletproof vests
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 15 that Toyobo Co. Ltd. of Japan and its American subsidiary, Toyobo U.S.A. Inc. (collectively, Toyobo), will pay $66 million after allegations of selling defective Zylon fiber for bulletproof vests to U.S. law enforcement agencies.
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FTC lauds CDK's abandoned acquisition of Auto/Mate
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced March 20 that had it issued an administrative complaint arguing that CDK Global Inc.’s proposed acquisition of Auto/Mate would violate federal antitrust laws and reduce competition in the market for Dealer Management System (DMS) software. Following the issuance of the complaint, CDK and Auto/Mate notified the FTC that they abandoned the acquisition plans.
U.S. settles ADA violation case with second largest N. American for-profit child care provider
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 20 that Learning Care Group (LCG), the second largest for-profit child care provider on the continent, has agreed to settle allegations of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Mo. SC rules for supervisors sued over death of delivery driver sent out during a winter storm
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of Missouri has affirmed a summary judgment by a trial court in a wrongful death lawsuit in which a delivery driver died while operating a company vehicle during a winter storm.
Conflicting testimony creates new trial for med-mal plaintiff in New Jersey
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The Superior Court of New Jersey Appellate Division has ordered a new trial in a lawsuit involving a doctor who was alleged to have prescribed a drug that partially paralyzed a woman.
Jury trial in C.R. Bard pelvic mesh injury suit underway in New Jersey
HACKENSACK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A jury trial has begun in the lawsuit of a woman suing the manufacturer of a medical pelvic mesh device that was implanted in her transvaginal region to support a sinking bladder but instead allegedly caused her chronic pain.
2 St. Louis landlords to pay $625,000 to resolve sexual harassment allegations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced March 19 that two St. Louis landlords, Hezekiah and Jameseva Webb, will pay a total of $625,000 after allegations of subjecting 15 female tenants in rental properties they managed to sexual harassment in violation of the Fair Housing Act.
Michigan settles allegations of deceptively labeling charity donation bins
LANSING, Mich. (Legal Newsline) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced March 20 that ATRS, a clothing donation bin operator with headquarters in Texas, will pay $75,000 after allegations that 251 of the company’s bins it operated for the Michigan Humane Society were deceptively labeled.