News from May 2018
EEOC secures $100,000 from Chicago Kia dealership after alleged discrimination
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced April 26 that Evergreen Kia, a car dealership in Chicago, will pay $100,000 and adjust its business practices after allegations of sexual orientation and disability discrimination.
EEOC alleges Walmart discriminated against disabled long-term employee
BANGOR, Maine (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit April 26 against Walmart Inc. for allegations it failed to reassign a long-term employee to a vacant position in another location after she become disabled.
EEOC: Medical plan provider forced employees to partake in religious ceremonies
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced April 26 that United Health Program of America Inc., a discount medical plan provider, and parent company Cost Containment Group Inc. (CCG), will pay $5.1 million after allegedly coercing 10 employees to engage in religious practices at work and for creating a hostile work environment.
Liberty Mutual to pay $50,000 to resolve allegations of illegally canceling homeowners insurance
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced April 27 that Liberty Mutual Insurance Group Inc. will pay $50,000 after allegations of improperly canceling the insurance policies of about 200 homeowners in the state.
EEOC: Distribution company failed to hire worker over unfounded disability worries
WINSTON-SALEM N.C. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit April 26 against Ashley Distribution Services Ltd., which is based in Wisconsin but also does business in North Carolina under the title, Advance, for allegations of disability discrimination against a truck driver applicant.
Massachusetts leads coalition supporting NLRB in case about misclassifying employees
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced April 30 that she is leading a coalition of 12 attorneys general in supporting the National Labor Relations Board’s decision that misclassifying employees as independent contractors is an unfair labor practice.
Massachusetts joins coalition opposing EPA over greenhouse gas emission limits for cars, trucks
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced May 1 she joined a coalition of 17 states and the District of Columbia in suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over allegations the EPA illegally rolled back greenhouse gas emission limits for cars and light-duty trucks.
Jos. A Bank moves to dismiss California claims from false advertising suit
GREENBELT, Md. (Legal Newsline) – Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. has filed a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit brought by a class of customers alleging negligent misrepresentation.
Federal judge pares Lyft driver's privacy suit over Uber’s alleged driver tracking program
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A class action lawsuit brought by a Lyft Inc. driver against Uber Technologies Inc. regarding Uber’s alleged “Hell” tracking program is moving forward.
Alaska court: Conservation groups can challenge Trump's reversal of drilling ban
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – A federal judge has denied a motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s reversal of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans drilling ban.
Judge grants motion to compel arbitration in Cablevision billing suit
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A federal judge has granted Cablevision System Corp.'s motion to compel arbitration in a lawsuit brought by a New York subscriber who alleged negligent misrepresentation.
Appeals court won't dismiss climate change lawsuit against U.S. government; Group suing Exxon supports case
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit has denied the federal government’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a group of youths who want the government to take stronger actions in fighting climate change.
Anne Arundel County holds graduation for adult drug and DUI treatment court
Eight individuals will mark their achievement of sobriety and the successful completion of a rigorous court-monitored program at the 21st graduation ceremony of the adult drug and DUI treatment court.
Judge to rule on order appointing Mueller to investigate Trump
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Legal Newsline) – Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Ellis has taken under advisement a motion that challenges the appointment of special prosecutor Robert Mueller to investigate President Donald Trump.
Recent verdict awarding $1.8 million to man's family in asbestos lung cancer case largest in Michigan's history
SAGINAW, Mich. (Legal Newsline) – Attorney James Bedortha seems convinced there was a method in the reasoning of a pool of jurors who on March 16 awarded the largest wrongful death award in an asbestos cancer victim case in Michigan state history.
Climate change activists charged with shutting down pipeline can present 'necessity defense'
ST. PAUL, Minn. (Legal Newsline) – The Minnesota Court of Appeals dismissed the state of Minnesota’s appeal to allow climate activists charged for shutting down a petroleum pipeline the chance to present evidence to explain their actions.
EEOC: Florida child care organization refuses to hire male for maternity home role
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced May 2 that The Children’s Home Inc., a Tampa nonprofit child care organization also known as the Children’s Home Network, will pay $18,000 after allegations of sex discrimination.
New York court backs attorney general in Niagara County hazardous waste case
BUFFALO (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced May 1 that a state court has sided with them over FMC Corporation in a hazardous waste case involving waste in the village of Middleport, Niagara County.
New York attorney general writes open letter to Weinstein Company bankruptcy participants
BUFFALO (Legal Newsline) — New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced April 30 that he has written an open letter to those participating in the Weinstein Company bankruptcy cases.
Florida targets construction company that allegedly duped victims of Hurricane Irma
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced April 27 that her office has filed a complaint against Carlson Enterprises LLC, a construction company based in Jacksonville, for allegedly duping consumers by taking payments for services it never rendered.