News from November 2011
Judge should have disclosed ties to Sandusky, critics say
Questions surrounding the conduct of the judge who arraigned former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky - now an accused pedophile -are being raised over what is being characterized as a surprisingly low bail.
Sandusky breaks silence in Penn State scandal; lawyers question move to allow accused to speak out
In the latest development in the Penn State University child sex-abuse scandal, accused former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky finally broke his silence, proclaiming his innocence to NBC’s Bob Costas.
Missing Pa. prosecutor declared legally dead this year had investigated Penn State's Sandusky, but never brought charges
The Penn State molestation case involving allegations of child sexual abuse against a former assistant football coach has taken on various twists since the scandal first rocked the revered university.
Philadelphia courts under fire in ticket-fixing probe
The Philadelphia Traffic Court is a target of a federal grand jury probe of ticket-fixing, according to a report in the
Lawsuit accuses burger joint of retaliatory firing
A Montgomery County, Pa. woman is suing a local burger joint for wrongful termination, alleging the restaurant unlawfully fired her from her job of only one month.
Injured nurse files suit against Cigna over cancellation of long-term disability benefits
A Levittown, Pa. woman who worked as a registered nurse for Temple University Health Systems until she became incapacitated in the spring of 2006 due to an on-the-job injury has filed a federal complaint against Cigna, alleging the company wrongly terminated her long-term disability benefits.
Former worker sues youth and family agency for wrongful termination
A Bucks County, Pa. man who worked for a local youth and family services organization for five years before his dismissal this summer has filed a federal complaint against his former employer, alleging his termination violated the federal Family Medical Leave Act.
Five Below faces claim asserting failure to pay overtime
A Montgomery County, Pa. man who works for the retail chain Five Below has filed a federal lawsuit against the company, alleging he was not compensated for overtime during his time as a salaried employee.
Pa. Commonwealth Court upholds Gaming Control Board's revocation of casino license
A state appellate court has upheld a decision by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to revoke the casino license of a company that sought to erect a slots parlor along an industrial stretch of Columbus Boulevard in South Philadelphia.
New administrative judge appointed to Phila. Common Pleas Court's trial division
The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas has a new administrative judge.
EPA signs consent order with Phila. firm over PCBs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last week that SSH Management, LLC and 1500 Walnut Enterprises, LLC signed a consent agreement regarding alleged violations of federal regulations for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in an office building at 1500 Walnut St. in Philadelphia.
Area attorneys: Litigation seems inevitable in Penn State child sex-abuse case
The child sex-abuse scandal coming out of Pennsylvania State University has resulted in various criminal charges against the man who allegedly carried out the acts of pedophilia, and those who supposedly turned a blind eye to the years-long incidents of abuse.
Federal judge in Phila. OK's class action status in case against healthcare company
A federal judge in Philadelphia has granted a plaintiff’s request for class action status in a case involving a company’s alleged failure to pay overtime to a certain group of employees.
Wawa hit with wrongful termination complaint
A Delaware County, Pa. man has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the popular Pennsylvania convenience store chain Wawa, contending the company fired him after he took leave to care for his ailing spouse.
Phila. fire department lieutenant files discrimination claim against firefighters' union
A black lieutenant with the Philadelphia Fire Department who alleges he was once cursed at by a drunken cadre of white fellow firefighters during a union gathering, has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the union representing city firefighters.
Muslim man who claims Whole Foods firing was discriminatory files EEOC complaint
A Muslim man who contends he was wrongfully terminated from his job at Whole Foods because of his religion has filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, according to his legal counsel.
Pa. man who suffered heart attack allegedly caused by police Taser files suit
A Montgomery County, Pa. man who claims the heart attack he suffered during a late March 2010 altercation with the police at his home was caused by officers’ use of a Taser gun has filed a federal complaint against two law enforcement agencies and two individual cops.
Best Buy hit with federal discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit
A Southeastern Pennsylvania man has filed a federal job discrimination lawsuit against Best Buy, alleging his firing in the spring of 2010 was in retaliation for him complaining about alleged discrimination at the workplace.
Hotel at Phila. International Airport faces sexual harassment claim
A Philadelphia woman who claims that her more than two-year employment at a hotel at Philadelphia International Airport was marked by pervasive sexual harassment has filed a federal complaint against her former employer and a handful of former coworkers.
Philly’s Complex Litigation Center is profit center, says reformer
In New York, they call it the Bronx Jury Effect.