News from May 2018
Organizations allege USDA hasn't made any regulations regarding birds under Animal Welfare Act
PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – Two animal advocacy organizations are seeking to compel a federal agency to propose rules that govern the handling, care and treatment of birds.
Surgeon alleges Wisconsin law firm gave him wrong deadline for patent protection
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) – A Winnetka, Illinois surgeon alleges a Wisconsin law firm and attorney gave him the incorrect deadline regarding a patent.
Washington state secures $6.3 million for victims of alleged tech support scam
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) — Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced April 19 that iYogi’s parent company in India will pay $6.3 million after allegations iYogi conducted a massive tech support scam.
Justice Department: Biotheranostics violated U.S. law when it billed Medicare for unnecessary tests
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 9 that Biotheranostics Inc. will pay $2 million after allegedly submitting false claims to Medicare for Breast Cancer Index (BCI) tests that were not necessary.
Thoro Products Co. alleged to have violated compliance order issued by Colorado agency
DENVER (Legal Newsline) – A Colorado state agency is seeking to compel a business to comply with an order.
Lance Armstrong to pay $5 million to resolve PED allegations, USPS sponsorship
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 19 that former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong will pay $5 million after allegations he violated the False Claims Act when he used performance-enhancing drugs and methods (PEDs) while being sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
U.S. bans drug manufacturer Cantrell from distributing adulterated products
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 19 that Cantrell Drug Company (Cantrell) and co-owner and Chief Executive Officer James L. McCarley Jr., have been banned from distributing adulterated drugs in violation of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
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FCC named in suit by South Dakota Native American tribe over fees
ABERDEEN, N.D. (Legal Newsline) – A federally recognized sovereign Native American tribe has filed a suit against the Federal Communications Commission and individuals regarding fees to the telecommunications industry.
Justice Department settles with consulting firm over alleged INA violations
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced April 20 that Themesoft Inc. (Themesoft), a consulting and staffing company in the technology industry with headquarters in Texas, will pay civil penalties to resolve allegations it violated the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
FTC finds 29 funeral homes violated federal law
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced April 18 that it has found failures to disclose funeral home pricing information at 29 of the 134 funeral homes its investigators visited while working undercover in 2017.
FTC finalizes order against company that misled consumers about its products' health benefits
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced April 19 that, following a public comment period, it has approved a final consent order against Telomerase Activation Sciences Inc. and Noel Patton (collectively, TA Sciences) that resolves allegations of deceptive advertising.
SEC secures $35 million from Yahoo relating to massive 2014 data breach
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced April 24 that the entity formerly known as Yahoo! Inc. will pay $35 million after allegations of misleading investors following the one of the world's largest data breaches.
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SEC proposes rules protecting investors
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced April 18 that it has voted to propose a package of rules and interpretations to protect retail investors.
Appeal to decide future of NYC asbestos court; Companies fed up with their treatment
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The fight over New York City’s controversial asbestos court is not over, as companies worried about their treatment there are likely to appeal an order that kept alive the possibility for even bigger verdicts.
Daisy scouts explore judiciary through courthouse visit
Howard County District Administrative Judge Pamila J. Brown recently welcomed a group of Daisy Girl Scouts to the Howard County District Court, offering them an educational experience about the judicial system.
Lawsuit: Prominent lawyer Watts bashed class actions to recruit farmers at 40% fee in GMO corn litigation
MINNEAPOLIS (Legal Newsline) – Texas plaintiffs lawyer Mikal Watts is being accused by a colleague and farmers of shady behavior and criticizing the class action mechanism in massive litigation over genetically modified corn sold by Syngenta.
Hold government to higher standard, former Calif. AG says of climate change lawsuit controversy
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A Texas judge has decided California officials suing the energy industry over climate change are talking out of both sides of their mouths, and the former top lawyer of the Golden State is disappointed in their actions.
U.S. Supreme Court to hear objection of $8.5M Google settlement; Class members get nothing, funds sent to lawyers' alma maters
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Petitioners opposing Google's settlement of a class action lawsuit are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to provide greater clarity on the use of the doctrine of “cy pres” after a federal appeals court approved the agreement, sending millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations that are not plaintiffs in the case.
New Jersey secures $45,000 for assembly worker allegedly fired for having asthma
TRENTON, NJ (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division on Civil Rights announced April 24 that Trane U.S. Inc. will pay $45,000 to a former employee after settling allegations it discriminated against an asthmatic worker.
Arizona secures $130,000 for consumers victimized by online auto sales fraud
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich recently announced that ABC Nissan, an auto dealer in Phoenix, has agreed to a $130,000 settlement after allegations of false advertising. The $130,000 will go toward restitution for consumers victimized by the alleged scheme.