News from January 2015
Pennsylvania agrees to $48.8 million settlement over claims by federal government
WASHINGTON - The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will pay $48.8 million to resolve the federal government’s claims that it provided benefits to ineligible aliens in violation of federal law, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday.
Unsealed RICO complaints detail fraud allegations against Shein Law, other asbestos firms
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Four complaints that accuse asbestos law firms of racketeering were recently unsealed, providing a glimpse into information a federal bankruptcy judge likely relied on when he found those firms have committed “a startling pattern of misrepresentation” through the years.
Pa. homeowners file class action RICO suit against Bank of America
PITTSBURGH - Two Western Pennsylvania men are among the plaintiffs in a class action suit that accuses one of the top banking companies in the world of establishing an illegal racketeering scheme that allowed it to make millions in kickbacks while taking minimum risk as an investor in mortgage insurance companies.
NCAA agrees to restore Penn State wins, voiding consent decree
HARRISBURG - After months of chipping away, the last gasps of the harshly punitive consent decree between NCAA and Penn State University have been snuffed out after the inter-collegiate athletics governing body agreed to restore the football team's record under Coach Joe Paterno's leadership and allow the proceeds from the $60 million fine to remain in Pennsylvania programs.
School district, learning services company must cover own costs from sexual assault case
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia School District and a third party learning services provider are on the
Woman files ADA suit against Pittsburgh over parking
PITTSBURGH - A Pittsburgh woman is suing the city for discrimination after it allegedly didn't allow her to apply for a disability parking space in front of her home.
U.S. labor secretary says Berks County dentist failed to remit payments to employee retirement plan
PHILADELPHIA - United States Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez has stepped into a
Judge dismisses NCAA's suit over Endowment Act
HARRISBURG - The constitutionality of a state law aimed to keep the proceeds of a $60 million fine levied by NCAA against Penn State has been decided several times by the Commonwealth Court and should not be a question at the federal level, according to a recent ruling.
Third traffic court judge sentenced to federal prison
PHILADELPHIA - A federal judge has handed out the sentence of the last of three former Philadelphia Traffic Court judges convicted of committing perjury before a federal grand jury.
Haverford law firm files class action against TD Bank
CAMDEN, N.J. - Four people filed a class action lawsuit against New Jersey-based TD Bank, N.A., alleging fraud and breach of contract on Friday.
NRA files lawsuits seeking repeal of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Lancaster gun laws
FAIRFAX, Va. - The National Rifle Association has made good on its pledge to file suits against Pennsylvania municipalities that refused to repeal local gun laws that it says violate state laws by filing civil actions against the cities of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Lancaster in their respective county courts of common pleas.
Former car salesman claims sexual harassment by female supervisor caused termination
PHILADELPHIA - A former auto salesman claims that his reporting of sexual harassment by his female supervisor led the dealership owner and the woman's father to retaliate with the wrongful termination of the plaintiff, according to a discrimination suit filed at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Judge: Pitt student's dismissal justified, not a result of ADA violations
PITTSBURGH - A student's dismissal from the University of Pittsburgh's graduate nursing program was
Railroad company sues property manager for loss of two locomotives
PHILADELPHIA - A national transportation company says the owners of a business complex near the
Free speech law inspired by cop-killer challenged by media outlets, ACLU
HARRISBURG - The three weeks it took to propose, pass and sign legislation designed to prevent convicted felons from making public remarks that could cause the families of victims mental anguish have left too many unanswered questions, according to a federal lawsuit filed at the District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania by several media and civil rights organizations.
Suit: Former medical lab worker denied severance after shift change forced termination
PHILADELPHIA - A medical laboratory denied a veteran employee's severance package after
Tenants at apartment complex claim employee's sexual harassment violated Fair Housing Act
PHILADELPHIA - Two women living at a Philadelphia apartment claim that the owners
Investor accuses former Five Below CEO of artificially inflating stock before exit
PHILADELPHIA - The co-founders of national discount retail chain Five Below fraudulently concealed their intent to resign from the company last year and artificially inflated the company's public stock price while planning to hand over the reigns to a much less experienced CEO, causing the stock to crumble upon their exit, according to allegations in a class action suit filed at the U.S. District Court
Kane defends record in statement about grand jury report
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane has maintained her innocence in light of