News from February 2019
MASSACHUSETTS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE: Lowell Tax Preparer Permanently Barred from Doing Business After Defrauding Clients, Keeping Refunds
.AG’s Office Obtains $483,000 Judgment, Issues Tips to Avoid Fraudulent Tax Preparers Ahead of Tax Season.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: U.s. Department of Labor Investigations Find Federal Contractors Owe $255,474 to Employees Working on Indiana Housing Project
After a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division investigation, four contractors working on the federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Village of Hope housing project in Gary, Indiana, will pay 53 current and former employees a total of $255,474 for violating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA).
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: U.s. Department of Labor Investigation Results in U.s. District Court Ordering Utah Drywall Company to Pay $100,000 in Back Wages and Damages for Labor Law Violations
After an investigation by the U.S. Department Of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah has ordered Metal Rock Construction Inc. to pay $50,000 in back wages and an equal amount in liquidated damages to 86 employees for violating the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR: U.S. Department of Labor investigation results in judge ordering Minnesota tech company to pay engineer $43,366 in back wages for h-1b visa program violations
After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Administrative Law Judge Theresa Timlin has issued an order requiring TLC Precision Wafer Technologies Inc. – based in Minneapolis, Minnesota – to pay a former employee $43,366 in back wages for violating the labor provisions of the H-1B visa program.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: Park School of Baltimore Will Pay $41,000 to Settle EEOC Sex Discrimination Suit
Park School of Baltimore, Inc., a private school in Pikesville, Md., will pay $41,000 and furnish significant equitable relief to settle a federal sex discrimination suit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced.
Imerys Talc files for bankruptcy over mounting baby powder litigation
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - With the floodgate of asbestos-related legal action taken against the company over the last decade showing no sign of subsiding, talc supplier Imerys Talc America and two of its subsidiaries have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Russell Stover Chocolates, Ghirardelli Chocolate allegedly misrepresents quantity of products in package
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A Queens County, New York consumer alleges he purchased chocolates that were packaged in containers with excessive, nonfunctional slack-fill.
Environmental organizations file suit against EPA regarding priority ranking for western Lake Erie
TOLEDO, Ohio (Legal Newsline) – Two environmental organizations are seeking a court order to declare the U.S. Environment Protection Agency's 2019 Integrated Report Approval was not in accordance with the Clean Water Act regarding western Lake Erie.
iPhone owner alleges Apple 'forced updates' to phones to reject chargers
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A Los Angeles County, California has filed a suit against Apple over allegations the company failed to inform users that their iPhones would reject chargers because of a future update.
Missouri woman alleges EcoSmart Insect Repellent is 'complete sham'
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) – A Missouri woman alleges that a brand of insect repellent is "a complete sham."
Proponents of venue reform say out-of-state claimants have 'gamed' St. Louis city courts
JEFFERSON CITY – Speaking for the Missouri Association of Trial Lawyers in opposing a bill that would tighten jurisdiction over civil suits, injury attorney Brett Emison argued that cities produce better trials because jurors have time and resources to sit for weeks, whereas jury prospects in rural counties have to get their crops in.
Parents allege Owlet Smart Socks issue false alarms or do not detect abnormal oxygen levels
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – Two California mothers allege a baby monitor either recorded false alarms or failed to alert them of their baby's low oxygen level.
Sierra Club alleges Fish & Wildlife Service failed to timely review snake's endangered status
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – A nonprofit organization is seeking a court to order a federal agency to complete a status review of an endangered snake.
Teva Pharmaceutical, others named in suit over allegations valsartan-containing medicines are contaminated
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A New York citizen has filed a class-action lawsuit against companies associated with a medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure over allegations it has been contaminated.
McDermott International stockholder files suit over merger with Chicago Bridge & Iron
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – A stockholder of McDermott International alleges it has suffered significant losses and damages because of a misleading proxy statement disseminated before a vote on a merger.
Iowa attorney general: Telemarketer lied about being blind, sale proceeds helping the disabled
DES MOINES — A telemarketer and the Alabama-based telemarketing firm he works for have agreed to settle allegations by the Iowa Attorney General's Office that the solicitor lied about being blind and about sales of products helping those who are disabled.
Dollar Thrifty car rental companies settle charges of misleading Florida customers
TALLAHASSEE — Dollar Thrifty car rental companies have reached an agreement with the state of Florida over allegations of not disclosing additional fees added to rental charges for the state's "cashless tolls" and misleading customers regarding other fees and charges.
California school district reaches settlement with state over civil, constitutional violations
SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a settlement with one of the state's school districts and its police department to resolve allegations of civil and constitutional rights violations against African-American and Latino students as well as students with disabilities.
Arizona attorney general files appeal over state's Board of Regents tuition, student fees policy
PHOENIX — The state of Arizona has filed an appeal as it seeks to have its case against the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR), which is challenging the board's tuition and student fee raises policy, moved to the state's Supreme Court.
American Law Institute hits the road to explain controversial Restatement; It has been called 'litigation fuel'
PHILADELPHIA – After passing a controversial Restatement of the Law of Liability Insurance at its annual convention last May, the American Law Institute is convening events across the country discussing the document in further detail.