News from September 2018
New Illinois law to strengthen protections for service members' employment
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – A new Illinois law designed to strengthen protections for service members' employment and rights while they are serving has been signed into state law.
Louisiana company who charged Iowa truckers for updating their USDOT information to issue refunds
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) – Owners of Iowa trucking companies will receive funds from a Louisiana company who charged truckers $99 to update their bi-annual information with the U.S. Department of Transportation, which can be done for free on a federal government website.
Florida attorney general files suit against Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group over toll fees
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – The Florida State Attorney's Office filed legal action in the 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Duval County on Aug. 29 against a rental automotive group who allegedly charged customers highly inflated fees for tolls and misrepresented the state's cashless toll system.
California attorney says comment period on proposed Clean Car Standard rollbacks should be extended
SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra is asking the Trump Administration to extend the comment period on a proposed rollback of a 2010 unified national program designed to set greenhouse gas emission and fuel efficiency standards.
Florida company allegedly sold customers mortgage audits to falsely protect them from foreclosure
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) – Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a lawsuit against a Jacksonville company accused of defrauding consumers across the country out of more than $160,000 through deceptive marketing and the selling of mortgage and foreclosure relief services.
Twenty-state coalition comments on U.S. Department of Education's efforts to change borrower defense regulations
SACRAMENTO (Legal Newsline) – California's attorney general is the latest to join a 20-state coalition of attorneys general criticizing the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos for their proposal to change borrower defense regulations designed to protect defrauded students.
Arkansas attorney general alleges Alert America closed doors without paying third parties for services
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – The state of Arkansas and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge have filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against a company that allegedly sold third-party alarm monitoring and then closed its business without returning money customers had prepaid for services.
Hawaii Supreme Court rules Ige is Democrat gubernatorial primary winner
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) – On Aug. 27, the Supreme Court of Hawaii determined a candidate for governor who was upset by an incumbent in a primary election couldn’t prove the primary winner committed election fraud and bribery.
Alaska Supreme Court affirms decision in case of truck collision that caused oil spill
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – On Aug. 24, Alaska Supreme Court Justice Daniel E. Winfree upheld the ruling of the Third Judicial District Superior Court concerning a lawsuit in which an insurance company sued a trucking company for $3.5 million paid for oil spill remediation.
Certain flavors of Campbell's Soups are not preservative free as labeled, consumers allege
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (Legal Newsline) – Two Illinois consumers allege some flavors of Campbell's Soup are falsely represented that they do not contain preservatives.
Former CEO files suit against Barnes & Noble over termination
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A former CEO of a retail bookstore chain alleges he was terminated without cause and defamed by the company.
Maryland heating oil delivery company files defamation suit against TV station, reporter
MARLBORO, Md. (Legal Newsline) – An Upper Marlboro, Maryland home heating oil delivery business alleges the WTTG Fox 5 DC television station published false reports about it in stories regarding a mistaken heating oil delivery.
Alaska Supreme Court rules to allow independents to run in Democratic primaries
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of a superior court on Aug. 24 to allow registered independent voters to run for political office on the Democratic Party ticket in primary elections.
Alaska high court upholds fine for former Fairbanks mayor for using government resources during campaign
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) – The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed the ruling of a lower court and in fining the former Fairbanks mayor for using government resources in his mayoral campaign in 2013.
Consumers allege O'Reilly Automotive tractor hydraulic fluid does not meet specifications
HARRISONVILLE, Mo. (Legal Newsline) – Two Missouri residents allege a brand of tractor hydraulic fluid does not meet certain specifications as advertised.
Texas law firm alleges it was not paid fees after obtaining settlement in New York case
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A Texas law firm alleges a New York man, a New Jersey man and a business have defaulted on their agreement regarding legal services.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau employee alleges she earns less than male counterparts
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A federal employee alleges that she is paid less than her male co-workers with the same experience.
Nerium Brand Partner alleges nearly $500 Launch Kit price is inflated
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – A Brand Partner of a multi-level marketing company that sells anti-aging skincare and wellness products alleges the company does not sell Launch Kits to partners at cost as represented.
Southern California restaurant chain allegedly rejects male applicants as servers
SAN DIEGO — A Southern California restaurant chain faces a lawsuit from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for allegedly rejecting male applicants from being servers, violating federal sex discrimination laws.
EEOC: Cracker Barrel refused to hire qualified deaf applicant as dishwasher
BALTIMORE — The federal government is suing Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, alleging the company refused to hire a qualified deaf applicant for a dishwasher position, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).