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CFPB targets Equifax, TransUnion, orders them to pay $23 million in penalties
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) announced Jan. 3 that it took action against Equifax Inc., TransUnion and other subsidiaries for allegedly deceiving consumers about the cost and usefulness of the credit scores it sold.
EPA complaint against Syngenta, other policies in doubt under new Trump pick, advocate says
HONOLULU (Legal Newsline) – President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the Environment Protection Agency has many wondering what will become of the agency's activities, including a pesticide complaint filed last month over an incident on Kauai a year ago, a workplace advocate said.
Mexicali Chicken & Salads agrees to $27,692 settlement to resolve discrimination allegations
SAN DIEGO (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 30 that Mexicali Chicken & Salads in El Centro, Calif., will pay $27,692 after allegations a female employee was sexually harassed by her manager and then fired for complaining.
EEOC announces regulations regarding U.S. agencies' role for individuals with disabilities
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced new regulations Jan. 3 regarding how federal agencies engage in affirmative action. The goal is to have these agencies serve as “model employers” for individuals with disabilities.
Diamond Resorts settles with Arizona, to pay $800,000 for alleged customer deception
PHOENIX (Legal Newsline) — Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich has announced Dec. 23 that Diamond Resorts Corporation agreed to settle for $800,000 in a case involving allegations of customer deception.
Law firm’s former partner files second lawsuit over allegedly diverted fees
The defendants -- partners at Schiller Kessler & Gomez PLLC -- also want this lawsuit dismissed. They argue their former managing partner has asserted nearly identical claims in his newest lawsuit, originally filed in a Kentucky state court in November.
Arkansas targets Capital Credit Solutions, alleges violations of multiple state laws
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge announced a consumer-protection lawsuit Dec. 21 against Florida-based Capital Credit Solutions Inc. and Willie J. McKenzie for allegations of deceiving consumers in the state about their credit repair services.
Alabama Supreme Court rules electronic bingo is illegal in state
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (Legal Newsline) — Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange announced Dec. 23 that the Alabama Supreme Court ruled for the second time this year that electronic bingo is illegal in the state.
Federal court grants Texas preliminary injunction blocking Obama administration's health rules
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Jan. 1 that a federal court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Obama administration’s new federal health rules that force doctors to act contrary to their medical judgment or religious beliefs.
Texas urges court to knock down race, sex quota for state bar board membership
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline) — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Dec. 29 that his office has filed an amicus brief supporting a lawsuit challenging racial and sex-based quotas for board membership on the State Bar of Texas.
Pennsylvania targets auto business for allegedly selling unlicensed vehicles
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Legal Newsline) — Pennsylvania Attorney General Bruce R. Beemer announced Jan. 3 that his office has filed 29 legal actions against individuals and automobile businesses that allegedly engaged in unlicensed car sales, selling un-roadworthy vehicles and publishing deceptive advertisements.
Tennessee Gas to pay $640,000 for conservation land it bought to build pipeline
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (Legal Newsline) — Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healy and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton announced Dec. 29 that Tennessee Gas Pipeline LLC will pay $640,000 to compensate for conservation land acquired to build a pipeline in Berkshire County.
Fertility Bridge settles with New Jersey, will remove libel clause from consumer contracts
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) — New Jersey Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs announced Jan. 4 that Fertility Bridges will settle allegations it effectively barred consumers from posting negative reviews of the website online.
Lisa A. Hall Johnson named administrative judge for Prince George's County
Prince George’s County District Judge Lisa A. Hall Johnson has been appointed as the Administrative Judge for District 5 of the District Court of Maryland, which includes Prince George’s County.
Two companies defeat telemarketing claims holding them 'vicariously liable'
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) – Two defendants in a multidistrict litigation proceeding involving the Telephone Consumer Protection Act have won summary judgment, dismissing them from an MDL containing 30 cases.
DirecTV, lawyer accused of unfair trade practices
SANTA ANA, Calif. -- DirecTV once more faces a RICO lawsuit alleging it has conducted unfair trade practices and has colluded with a law firm and an unnamed entity in extorting small businesses, especially those that are minority-owned, by threatening legal action over alleged erroneous billing.
More litigants come forward in ongoing automotive parts antitrust case
DETROIT (Legal Newsline) – Bridgestone is one of several defendants being sued for alleged antitrust violations in what the company calls one of the largest litigations in the country.
GOP lawmaker introduces federal legislation aimed at delaying DOL’s fiduciary rule
The legislation, introduced by U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina Friday, would provide for a two-year delay of the U.S. Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule’s effective date. The rule mandates financial professionals who service individual retirement accounts, including IRAs and 401(k) plans, to serve the “best interest” of the savers and disclose conflicts of interest.
Health care fraud efforts ramped up under Obama
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – A federal program that was implemented in 1997 and designed to target health care fraud took off under President Obama.
Federal jury awards $250,000 to former Costco employee
CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) — The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced Dec. 22 that a federal jury has awarded $250,000 in compensatory damages to a former employee of Costco Wholesale Inc. The employee allegedly had been harassed and stalked by a customer.