News from May 2018
EEOC alleges company denied religious accommodation to Muslim employees
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 7 against Aviation Port Services LLC, a company that provides support services to airlines, for allegations of denying requests for religious accommodations.
California attorney general moves to dismiss federal lawsuit against state
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Legal Newsline) — California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced May 4 that his office is filing both a motion to dismiss and an opposition to a preliminary injunction in the case United States v. California, a lawsuit brought by the federal government to invalidate three state laws regarding safety, health, and welfare for Californians.
Arizona alleges company sold expensive health care products to elderly, refused refund requests
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich recently announced he is suing DIY Neurocare of America LLC, a company based in Arizona, and CEO Lyle Day, for allegedly refusing requests from elderly consumers for refunds after they bought LED light systems meant to treat symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and other ailments.
Hawaii company agrees to close large-capacity cesspool
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 8 that N.F. Kawakami Store Ltd. (NFK), the property owner of the Koloa Big Save Supermarket in Hawaii, will settle allegations of failing to close a large-capacity cesspool on the premises.
EEOC: Albertsons disallowed Hispanic employees from speaking Spanish in workplace
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 3 against Albertsons Inc., a national retail grocery chain, for allegations of subjecting a classic of Hispanic employees to harassment and a hostile work environment.
EEOC: Atlanta thrift store refused to let employee wear oxygen backpack
ATLANTA (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 3 against Two Peaches Group LLC, which does business as Value Village and operates five for-profit thrift stores in the Atlanta area, for allegations of disability discrimination and refusing reasonable accommodation requests.
New Jersey attorney general urges Congress to opposed Securities Fraud Act bill
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Bureau of Securities Chief Christopher W. Gerold announced May 7 that they will urge Congress to oppose a bill could allegedly weaken states’ rights when it comes to protecting investors from securities fraud.
New Jersey secures $100,000 for consumers whose children were allegedly victimized by electronics company
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced May 8 that Meitu Inc., a software and consumer electronic company based in China, will pay $100,000 after allegations of violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (CFA).
Charles County Circuit Court celebrates family recovery court graduates
Three individuals are set to graduate from the family recovery court program at the Circuit Court for Charles County.
Dispute between former NFL player and concussion-litigation funder might not make it to arbitration
PHILADELPHIA – A ruling from a federal judge in Pennsylvania remains pending on whether or not compulsory arbitration will be permanently prohibited, in the case of a litigation funder that pursued financial recovery against a former National Football League player who allegedly failed to repay it a loan.
Court grants authority of New York entity to begin clean-up of FMC Corp. site, recover costs
ALBANY, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – The New York Court of Appeals has reversed a trial court’s decision in a dispute between the state environmental agency and a chemical manufacturing plant, paving the way for the clean up of a hazardous waste site in Niagara County.
New Jersey court rules eBossWatch defamation suit was properly dismissed
TRENTON, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – The New Jersey Supreme Court has ended a defamation lawsuit by mandating that “the single publication rule” applies to a article posted online.
Woman who had sponge left inside her for seven years granted another trial by Mississippi high court
JACKSON, Miss. (Legal Newsline) – The Supreme Court of Mississippi ruled that a woman, Doretha Thompson, was legally permitted to another trial in a medical malpractice lawsuit based on an April 26 opinion.
Concealment or interference with evidence does not amount to destruction, Ohio Supreme Court rules
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Intentional interference or concealment of evidence does not rise to the level of destruction, the Ohio Supreme Court has ruled, dealing with an issue that has divided appeals courts in the state.
Hockey player has second chance to prove respiratory problems from zamboni fumes
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – A court was wrong to issue summary judgment in a case filed by a former college hockey player who claimed he was poisoned by noxious gases at a sports arena, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has found.
R.I. court rules man serving life sentence is legally dead, but entitled to hearing on amended complaint
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – An inmate serving life for murder cannot sue over an alleged behind-bars attack because he is, by almost all legal standards, dead, the Rhode Island Supreme Court has ruled.
Florida attorney general accuses farm-to-table restaurant of false marketing
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) — Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi announced May 4 that her office is taking action against Icebox Café L.C. and Icebox Café at MIA LLC for allegedly misleading consumers regarding the local nature and sustainability of their products.
EEOC obtains $2.85 million settlement with Seasons 52 in ageism case
MIAMI (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced May 3 that Seasons 52, a chain of restaurants based in Orlando, will pay $2.85 million after allegations of age discrimination against a class of people.
EEOC alleges Kansas security company did not allow not allow pregnant employee to work
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a lawsuit May 3 against Simmons Security and Protective Services, a Kansas company that provides private security services, for allegations of pregnancy discrimination.
Fishing company to pay $414,000 after alleged illegal oil dumping in Massachusetts harbor
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Department of Justice announced May 7 that Challenge Fisheries LLC, Quinn Fisheries Inc., Charles Quinn II, and Charles Quinn III will pay $414,000 after allegations of oil discharges into New Bedford harbor in Massachusetts.