News from March 2019
SEC alleges Volkswagen, former CEO defrauded bond investors through emissions fraud scheme
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) – The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has filed a complaint in the U.S. District for the Northern District of California, charging that Volkswagen AG, two of its subsidiaries and a former CEO defrauded bond investors through a "clean diesel" emissions fraud scheme.
Fast food chains agree to end 'no-poach' clauses in franchise agreements
ALBANY — Four national fast food franchisors, including Dunkin' Donuts, Arby's, Five Guys and Little Caesars, have reached a settlement with 13 attorneys general and have agreed to stop the use of "no-poach" agreements.
A conservative activist and the Democrat AG he says is persecuting him are headed for their final showdown in Washington
OLYMPIA, Wash. (Legal Newsline) – Longtime conservative activist Tim Eyman says the state of Washington is out to politically silence him.
Environmental groups sue Bureau of Land Management over Alaska reserve lease
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Legal Newsline) — Four nonprofit environmental organizations are suing the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) over the federal government's lease of nearly 2.9 million acres of land in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
Jury finds Roundup was substantial factor in causing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma; But Bayer stands by product heading into phase 2
After nearly a week of deliberation, a San Francisco federal jury found that the Monsanto product Roundup was a “substantial factor” in causing a Northern California man’s non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
A software company will ask the Delaware SC to pin liability for a $65 million mistake on its lawyers
WILMINGTON, Del. (Legal Newsline) - A company that got about $65 million worth of bad advice from a law firm during a buyout of stockholders should have sued the lawyers before the share price was finalized and while the lawyers were still representing the company, a Delaware judge has ruled.
The Laugh Factory files $10 million countersuit against 'funniest person in the world'
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) – The Laugh Factory has filed a $10 million breach of contract countersuit against a man who claims he is due money for competing in the World's Funniest Person competition.
Democrat-led Senate in Colorado OKs overhaul of oil and gas regulations; Bill would give local governments power
DENVER (Legal Newsline) - Democrats in the Colorado Senate recently approved a partisan bill that would reform regulations regarding gas and oil industry operations in the state.
Plaintiff's expert witness faces questions from J&J in N.J. talc-asbestos trial
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) – A New York-based doctor of occupational and environmental medicine said Monday there is no safe level of asbestos, while Johnson & Johnson argued she has never published anything regarding a link between talc and the plaintiff's disease and has made millions testifying - never on the defense side.
U.S. alleges negligence in ExxonMobil refinery fire that injured 10, killed 2
BEAUMONT, Texas (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. government has filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, alleging violations of federal laws that contributed to a 2013 fire that injured 10 workers and caused the death of two contract employees.
Lawsuit: Coffee from Hawaii not actually grown there
LOS ANGELES (Legal Newsline) — A California resident has filed a class action lawsuit against Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee, alleging the company uses false and deceptive packaging regarding the origination of its coffee product.
Massachusetts OKs settlements with 7 nursing homes over substandard care allegations
BOSTON (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts has reached settlements totaling nearly $500,000 with seven different nursing homes over allegations of substandard care and violations that resulted in the injury and death of some residents.
Lumber Liquidators to pay $33 million for allegedly lying to investors about laminate flooring
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Lumber Liquidators has agreed to a $33 million settlement for allegedly making false statements to investors relating to the sale of laminate flooring from China.
LUGENBUHL WHEATON PECK RANKIN HUBBARD: Benjamin Kadden to Speak at 66th Mineral Law Institute
Lugenbuhl shareholder Benjamin Kadden will serve as a speaker at the upcoming 66th Mineral Law Institute.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION: Wedbush Settles Failure to Supervise Charge
The Securities and Exchange Commission announced that Wedbush Securities Inc. will pay a $250,000 penalty and has agreed to be censured to settle its failure to supervise charge in a pending administrative proceeding.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION: SEC Charges Registered Investment Adviser and Former Chief Operating Officer With Defrauding Client
The Securities and Exchange Commission charged Talimco LLC, a registered investment adviser, and Grant Gardner Rogers, the former chief operating officer of the firm, with manipulating the auction of a commercial real estate asset on behalf of one client for the benefit of another.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION: Asurion to Pay $50,000 to Settle EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit
Asurion, LLC, an international customer service support provider for electronic devices based in Nashville, Tenn., has agreed to pay $50,000 and furnish significant relief to settle a federal lawsuit charging disability discrimination brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced.
Wrongful death trial begins in Mass. court against R.J. Reynolds, grocery store chain
DEDHAM, Mass. (Legal Newsline) - Attorneys representing the estate of a Massachusetts nurse who smoked Newports and died of lung cancer seven years ago is arguing the tobacco industry is to blame, while defense attorneys say the woman never attempted to quit.
Neb. company fights subpoena in dispute over Fla. measure that would list governor candidates in a new way on ballots
LINCOLN, Neb. (Legal Newsline) – A software company is fighting a subpoena in a lawsuit over the constitutionality of a Florida statue that challenges the order of the names listed on the ballot for the gubernatorial election, saying the subpoena seeks the disclosure of confidential information.
George Mason's Scalia Law School receives a $50 million grant for new academic chairs
FAIRFAX, Va. (Legal Newsline) – The Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in Virginia has received a $50 million grant, the largest in the school's history.