News from February 2020
New York property owners claim state's new rental restrictions are unconstitutional
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – The owner of a residential apartment building in the Bronx and others are challenging the constitutionality of New York state's new Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (HSTPA) alleging it will decrease affordable and quality housing in New York.
Florida attorney seeks millions in damages in suit against Baker Botts alleging extortion
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A Florida attorney is seeking more than $30 million in his suit against the global law firm Baker Botts and one of its partners over allegations he was the victim of the firm's extortion and threats.
Consumer alleges Only What You Need vanilla protein drink has deceptive label regarding flavor
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – A consumer alleges that Only What You Need's vanilla-flavored protein drinks are deceptively labeled because they contain "non-vanilla" flavors.
TurboTax allegedly 'diverted' taxpayers from free online filing to paid products
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (Legal Newsline) – The developer of TurboTax is facing a suit over allegations it intentionally defrauded lower-income taxpayers into paying for a tax preparation service that it was obligated to offer for free per the Free Online Electronic Tax Filing Agreement with the Internal Revenue Service.
Having lost climate change lawsuits, Oakland and San Francisco will plead cases to Ninth Circuit this week
PASADENA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – Two potentially precedent-setting hearings Wednesday, Feb. 5 involving Bay Area communities will seek to decide who has jurisdiction, federal or state courts, in appealed lawsuits over allegations that oil companies Chevron and Exxon Mobil Corp. injured plaintiffs by promoting fossil fuel emissions.
Oklahoma Supreme Court says state's liquor distribution law is unconstitutional
OKLAHOMA CITY (Legal Newsline) – In a 5-4 vote, the Oklahoma Supreme Court said a state law requiring liquor and wine manufacturers to sell products to all licensed wholesalers was unconstitutional.
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops accused of using fundraiser money on 'suspicious' causes
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Legal Newsline) – A Rhode Island man alleges the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) deceived donors with its "Peter's Pence" annual fundraising drive.
Big Oil to urge Ninth Circuit this week to let federal courts hear cities' climate change lawsuits
PASADENA, Calif. (Legal Newsline) – The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is set on Feb. 5 to hear an appeal by oil companies asking it to overturn a ruling in favor of San Mateo and other California cities and counties that let them pursue their climate change lawsuits in state court.