News from February 2019
New Mexico seeks legislation to increase government transparency
ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, along with the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government (NMFOG), has proposed new state legislation that would require organizations that have been formed specifically to give money or property to government agencies to abide by the Inspection of Public Records Act and Open Meetings Act.
New York state accuses Brooklyn co-op managing agent of defrauding elderly shareholders
NEW YORK — The state of New York is suing a managing agent of a Brooklyn cooperatively owned apartment building for allegedly defrauding elderly co-op shareholders through the "below market sale" of apartments and hiding a $100,000 commission.
California asks insurance execs to stop prior authorization requirements for opioid treatment
SACRAMENTO — California's attorney general is asking 17 health insurance companies to do away with requirements for prior authorization for opioid abuse disorder patient's medication assisted treatment (MAT), arguing the requirements place a burden on those trying to get treatment.
Illinois files lawsuit after 200,000-gallon oil leak affects Granite City
CHICAGO — The state of Illinois has filed a lawsuit against a Delaware company following a 200,000-gallon oil leak from the company's storage tank in Downstate Granite City, according to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
California court dismisses man's suit over neighbor's demolition of Laguna Beach house
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A man’s attempt to have his case over a house demolition heard in court instead of a local commission was denied by the Court of Appeal of the State of California in the 4th Appellate District, Division Three on Feb. 13.
California appeals court reverses Tilly's demurrer in on-call scheduling case
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – A former sale clerk's lawsuit against an Irvine, California-based corporation over on-call scheduling has been revived by the Court of Appeal of the state of California, in the 2nd Appellate District for Division Three when it reversed an order from a lower court that sustained a demurrer (or objection) on Feb. 4.
Man suing pawn shop over interest rate gets good news from Arkansas Supreme Court
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) – On Feb. 7, the Supreme Court of Arkansas reversed an order that denied a man’s third attempt for a class certification in a lawsuit against a pawn shop over allegations of charging excessive interest.
Calvert County court to celebrate adult treatment court graduates
The Circuit Court for Calvert County will hold a graduation ceremony on Thursday, February 21, to honor 11 graduates of its Adult Treatment Court.
MoviePass subscribers allege 'unfair bait-and-switch scheme'
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – Two MoviePass subscribers allege the discount movie ticket service engaged in a "deceptive and unfair bait-and-switch scheme" because it led them to believe they could have unlimited access to tickets to movies playing in theaters.
Lawsuit questions the 'aged vanilla' claims of A&W root beer and cream soda
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges that a brand of root beer and cream soda does not contain "aged vanilla" as advertised on their labels.
CVS Health brand glucosamine products do not work as advertised, consumer alleges
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) – A San Diego consumer alleges a pharmacy chain's brand of joint health supplements do not provide the advertised benefits.
UTAH OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: Celebrating Susan B. Anthony
We celebrate Susan B. Anthony and her legacy of social reform and her role within the women’s suffrage movement.
NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: Attorney General Josh Stein Announces Medicaid Fraudster Sentencing
Attorney General Josh Stein announced that Tamara McCaffity of Durham was sentenced to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release following a conviction for Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
CLARK HILL: Clark Hill Announces New Leadership for Washington, D.C. Office
Clark Hill LLP announced the appointment of Thomas K. Ragland as Member-In-Charge of the Washington D.C. office. Ragland joined Clark Hill in 2016 as a Member, and assumes leadership from Charles Spies who led the office for eight years of continued growth.
North Greenville University to pay $2.5 million for alleged Higher Education Act violations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — North Greenville University (NGU) has agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle allegations by the federal government that the South Carolina college submitted false claims to the U.S. Department of Education.
Company contracted with National Nuclear Security Administration charged with kickback violations
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A company contracted by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and its subcontractor are facing a lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) over allegations of violating the False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Act.
Maryland private school coach settles allegations he was fired for being male
BALTIMORE — A Maryland private school softball coach's claim that he was fired because he was a male, has resulted in a $41,000 settlement, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Federal contractor settles allegations of discriminating against more than 100 black applicants
WASHINGTON, D.C — A tree pruning, removal and vegetation management company working as a federal contractor has settled charges by the U.S. Department of Labor of discriminating against more than 100 African-American job applicants.
Florida contractor faces more than $90,000 in penalties for worker fall hazards
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Florida roofing contractor faces more than $90,000 in penalties after receiving citations by the federal government at some of its worksites for not protecting workers from serious falls.
SEC charges Ukrainian hacker, others with breaching EDGAR system for illegal trading
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is charging a Ukrainian hacker, six traders and others with hacking into Electronic, Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system to obtain information used for illegal trading.