News from May 2024
Waiter, there's a plate in my food
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A Florida man is suing Texas Roadhouse after he says a piece of broken plate in his food caused him injuries.
Personal injury lawyer wanted his ad on cars but says he was cheated
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - A Texas lawyer says a company that was supposed to put his ad on cars and drive them around failed to deliver.
City not liable for unqualified inspector's OK of stairs that caused slip-and-fall
DES MOINES, Iowa (Legal Newsline) - An Iowa city can’t be sued for hiring an unqualified inspector who failed to flag stairs that didn’t meet building code requirements, the state Supreme Court ruled, shutting down an apartment building owner’s attempt to drag the city into a slip-and-fall lawsuit.
Lawyers want $9 million for Walmart produce settlement
TAMPA, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - Touting their "skill, experience and efficiency," plaintiff lawyers who sued Walmart over the weight and price of produce are asking a federal judge for $9 million.
Sadism by guards in Fla. prison leads to man's brutal death and mutilation, lawsuit says
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - A man was paired with a dangerous cellmate for the amusement of Florida prison guards, a lawsuit alleges, leading to his violent and disturbing death.
Ohio AG releases statement on slain Euclid police officer
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has released a statement concerning the tragic death of Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin, who was killed in the line of duty on Saturday evening.
Buckeye Institute challenges legality of Biden's student loan forgiveness plan
On Friday, The Buckeye Institute filed an amicus brief in the case of Kansas v. Biden at the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. The institute challenged the legality of the Biden administration's latest student debt cancellation program, arguing that it surpasses the legal authority of the secretary of education. It also contended that the program is arbitrary and capricious, and was adopted in a procedurally improper manner.
Disruptive Technology Strike Force discusses foreign threats at annual conference
The Disruptive Technology Strike Force, a specialized unit focused on advanced technology threats, recently convened with US government and private sector partners. The conference was centered around discussions about the threat posed by hostile foreign governments to advanced U.S. technology and the ongoing efforts to counteract these threats.
Court denies Avid Telecom's motion to dismiss robocall lawsuit
OKLAHOMA CITY (May 10, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised a decision by the U.S. District Court in Arizona to deny Avid Telecom’s multiple attempts to dismiss and delay a bipartisan lawsuit against the company, its owner, and its vice president. Drummond and 48 other attorneys general sued the company in May 2023 for initiating and facilitating billions of illegal robocalls to millions of people across the nation.
U.S. law enforcement disrupts over 3,000 money mule networks in anti-fraud initiative
The U.S. Justice Department, FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), and other federal law enforcement agencies have announced the completion of the Money Mule Initiative. This annual campaign aims to identify, disrupt, and criminally prosecute networks of individuals who transmit funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters. The initiative targets a range of fraud schemes that predominantly impact older Americans, such as lottery fraud, romance scams and grandparent scams as well as those that target businesses or government pandemic funds.
Virginia AG joins multi-state lawsuit against new EPA regulations
Attorney General Jason Miyares of Virginia has joined a coalition of 25 states in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new rule on existing power plants fueled by coal, natural gas, and oil. The suit, filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, seeks to review and declare the rule unlawful.
Mexico extradites alleged cartel chemical supplier to US for trial
A Mexican national, accused of supplying the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG or Jalisco Cartel) with precursor chemicals for controlled substances production, was extradited from Mexico to Washington, D.C., today to face trial. Francisco Pulido Coracero, 66, is set to make his initial court appearance on May 13 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya in the District of Columbia.
Hawai'i Women Lawyers honor Judges Browning and Morikawa
HONOLULU — First Circuit Chief Judge R. Mark Browning (ret.) and First Circuit Judge Trish K. Morikawa have been honored by the Hawaiʻi Women Lawyers (HWL). The recognition took place on April 25 at the Hoʻokupu Center.
Hawaii CEO convicted in $28M decade-long investment fraud scheme
A Hawaii-based man, Curtiss E. Jackson, was convicted by a federal jury for his involvement in a decade-long fraudulent scheme that cost investors of Semisub Inc. and Semisub LLC (collectively referred to as "Semisub") over $28 million.
Florida's Attorney General activates price gouging hotline after tornadoes
In response to the recent tornadoes in North Florida, Attorney General Ashley Moody has activated Florida’s Price Gouging Hotline. This move follows Governor Ron DeSantis's declaration of a state of emergency covering several counties including Baker, Columbia, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla.
FCC's 'name and shame' racial scorecard rule faces court challenge
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A religious broadcasting group has sued to block a Federal Communications Commission rule requiring all broadcasters with five or more employees to publish information about the racial and ethnic makeup of their workforce.
Court denies Avid Telecom's bid to dismiss robocall lawsuit
In a recent development, the United States District Court in Arizona has rejected Avid Telecom's attempts to dismiss and delay a bipartisan lawsuit involving 49 states. The case is against Michael D. Lansky, L.L.C., doing business as Avid Telecom, its owner Michael D. Lansky, and vice president Stacey S. Reeves.
Attorney General Mayes to investigate Steward Health Care's bankruptcy
In the wake of Steward Health Care's bankruptcy filing in a Texas court on May 6, 2024, and the subsequent announcement of its intention to auction four Arizona hospitals, Attorney General Kris Mayes has declared her intention to launch an investigation into the circumstances that led to the healthcare provider's financial downfall. She is also contemplating intervening in the bankruptcy proceedings due to potential adverse impacts on Arizona patients, healthcare workers, providers, and vendors.
Michigan doctor convicted in $6.3 million Medicare fraud scheme
A Michigan-based doctor was found guilty by a federal jury today for instigating the submission of fraudulent claims exceeding $6.3 million to Medicare. These claims were linked to medically unnecessary orthotic braces ordered through a telemarketing scheme.
Attorneys seeking fees in some insurance cases must show their work
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - Attorneys seeking fees incurred as a result of insurer's not negotiating in good faith will have to give up some of their secrets.