On May 24, 2012, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced that her office has entered into a settlement agreement with South Shore Hospital over allegations that it sent hundreds of unencrypted back-up computer tapes containing the personal information of more than 800,000 consumers offsite to be erased without appropriate safeguards. The settlement agreement settles a … Continue Reading
Monthly Archives: May 2012
State AGs in the News
Posted in Consumer Protection, Contingency-Fee Counsel, Environment, For-Profit Colleges, States v. Federal GovernmentConsumer Protection Washington AG Settles Lawsuit against RealNetworks for $2.4 Million RealNetworks recently has agreed to pay $2 million for customer reimbursement and $400 million in legal fees to settle a lawsuit brought by Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna under Washington’s Unfair Business Practices – Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit alleged that RealNetworks engaged in… Continue Reading
State AGs in the News
Posted in Campaign Finance, Consumer Protection, Energy, PharmaceuticalsCampaign Finance 22 States and DC File Amicus Brief Asking U.S. Supreme Court to Uphold Montana’s Election Law 22 States and the DC have filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Montana’s election law, which bans corporate independent political expenditures in Montana state elections. The States’ brief asks the Court to… Continue Reading
Privacy Issues and Internet Payday Lending Focus of NAAG Annual Spring Consumer Protection Conference
Posted in Consumer Protection, Data PrivacyOn Monday, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) held its Spring Consumer Protection Conference in Washington, DC, which was attended by AG staff from 40 states and the District of Columbia. A panel on data privacy, “Latest Developments in Privacy Issues,” highlighted developments that are noteworthy for a wide array of consumer-facing businesses. FTC Commissioner Julie Brill and… Continue Reading
State AGs in the News
Posted in Antitrust, Consumer Protection, Environment, PharmaceuticalsAntitrust/Consumer Protection 45 AGs, FTC Settle Deceptive Advertising Claims with Skechers over “Toning” Shoes 45 AGs and the FTC reached a settlement with shoe-maker Skechers resolving allegations that the company deceptively marketed its “toning” sneakers. The company agreed to pay a total of $50 million to resolve claims that it misled consumers with advertisements that… Continue Reading
State AGs in the News
Posted in Consumer Protection, Environment, PharmaceuticalsConsumer Protection Texas AG Settles Consumer Protection Claims with Mobile Messaging Company Texas AG Greg Abbott announced a settlement with JAWA and numerous related entities resolving allegations that they improperly added expensive, unauthorized charges to consumers’ monthly mobile phone bills. The entities, which allegedly deceived consumers into subscribing to receive premium text messages on mobile… Continue Reading
State AGs in the News
Posted in Antitrust, Consumer Protection, Employment, Energy, Environment, Mortgages/ForeclosuresAntitrust/Consumer Protection Publishers Reach Tentative Settlement with 15 AGs over E-Book Price-Fixing Claims 15 AGs have reached a tentative settlement with HarperCollins Publishers and Hachette Book Group to resolve a lawsuit claiming that the companies conspired with other publishers and Apple to raise the prices of e-books. The two publishers already had settled similar allegations… Continue Reading
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