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Compliance
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November 27, 2024
DOL Sued For OSHA Info In NJ Amazon Warehouse Deaths
The U.S. Department of Labor has been hit with a lawsuit by a labor advocate seeking records related to investigations of three deaths at Amazon.com Inc.'s "notoriously hazardous warehouses" in New Jersey in 2022, saying the agency failed to comply with Freedom of Information Act deadlines.
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November 27, 2024
Arkansas Can't Bring Suit Against Crypto Miner For Now
An Arkansas federal judge has temporarily barred state officials from taking action against a Chinese-born U.S. citizen's crypto mining operation after he challenged the investigation against him and the laws underpinning it as discriminatory and unconstitutional.
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November 27, 2024
FCC Refers T-Mobile, UScellular Deal To Team Telecom
The Federal Communications Commission has referred T-Mobile's anticipated $4.4 billion purchase of wireless operations from United States Cellular Corp. to the committee that vets foreign investment in the U.S. telecom market.
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November 27, 2024
Nonprofit Warns 3rd Circ. Against 'Abuse' In Merck Vax Case
The anti-monopoly think tank Open Markets Institute urged the full Third Circuit to rethink a panel's immunization of Merck & Co. Inc. from antitrust claims over its mumps vaccine, arguing in an amicus brief that the doctrine cementing the right to petition the government doesn't justify the use of courts and administration as a "competitive weapon."
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November 27, 2024
Big Bank Supervision Costs Spur Assessment Rate Hike
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency announced that it will raise the fees it charges to large banks by 16% beginning in 2025 to cover the increased cost of supervising the largest financial institutions, while other rates will have a smaller increase due to inflation.
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November 27, 2024
CFPB Fights Student Loan Servicer's Bid To Pause Deal
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has told a Pennsylvania federal court that student loan servicer Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency shouldn't get to pause its work fulfilling a settlement just because a third party had appealed a separate deal with the loan holders.
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November 27, 2024
Illinois Top Court Will Decide Fate Of $7B Power Line Permit
The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to review a lower court's decision striking state utility regulators' approval to build part of the $7 billion Grain Belt Express high-voltage transmission line.
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November 27, 2024
CFPB Bags $42M Penalty Against Ga. Auto Loan Servicer
A Georgia federal judge ordered a car loan servicer to pay more than $42 million in restitution, damages and fines for what the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said was a slew of shady business practices, including using remote kill switches to shut off borrowers' cars and double charging them for insurance premiums.
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November 27, 2024
5th Circ. Reverses Treasury's Block Of Crypto Mixer
The Fifth Circuit has rejected the government's blacklisting of Tornado Cash for "its role in laundering virtual currency for malicious cyber actors," saying the cryptocurrency service's immutable smart contracts, or lines of privacy-enabling software code, are not "property" and are therefore unownable and cannot be blocked under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
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November 27, 2024
Ga. CPA Must Pay SEC $850K For Ponzi Scheme Role
An Atlanta certified public accountant accused of serving as a front man for a convicted former Oppenheimer & Co. adviser's $110 million Ponzi scheme was hit with a money judgment of more than $854,000 by a Georgia federal judge.
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November 27, 2024
FCC Warns Some ISPs Still Advertising Internet Subsidy
Some internet service providers are still advertising discounts on service through the Affordable Connectivity Program even though it ended in June, the Federal Communications Commission has warned consumers.
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November 27, 2024
Calif. Law Means FERC Must Yank Grid Perk, 9th Circ. Told
California officials and several municipal utilities have backed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's revocation of a grid incentive for Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for voluntarily belonging to a regional transmission organization, telling the Ninth Circuit that FERC is properly following state law.
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November 27, 2024
EPA Mercury Rule Is Fatally Flawed, DC Circ. Told
Republican-led states and fossil fuel industry groups fired back at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recent defense of its rule strengthening standards for mercury and other toxic air emissions at power plants, telling the D.C. Circuit the agency misinterpreted the Clean Air Act's pollution reduction goals.
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November 27, 2024
EPA Asks DC Circ. To Keep Emissions Rules In Place
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is defending its strict new emissions limits for cars, trucks and vans against a legal challenge from red states and industry groups, telling the D.C. Circuit that the Clean Air Act grants federal regulators authority over both gas-powered and electric vehicles.
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November 27, 2024
SEC Exempts More Debt Securities From New Trading Rules
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is relieving broker-dealers who quote unlisted stocks from increased information-gathering requirements that would have also applied to many fixed-income securities, a development attorneys say will prove welcome for debt issuers.
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November 27, 2024
Rikers Faces Federal Takeover As NYC Held In Contempt
A Manhattan federal judge found New York City and its corrections department in civil contempt for failing to fix the "unconstitutional danger" for inmates at Rikers Island, indicating a receivership is the solution.
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November 26, 2024
Trailer Maker Inks DOJ Deal Over Noncitizen Employment Bias
Trailer manufacturer Great Dane LLC agreed to pay $436,000 to resolve allegations that one of its Nebraska plants discriminated against non-U.S. citizens during the hiring process, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Monday, releasing new guidance about lawful permanent residents' employment rights.
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November 26, 2024
NY Groups, Truckers Say Congestion Pricing Unconstitutional
A New York teachers union, and coalitions of residents and truckers have told a federal judge that Manhattan's recently resurrected congestion pricing is still unconstitutional and discriminatory, and federal and state transportation agencies shouldn't be allowed to shake their claims just because the tolls will be reduced.
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November 26, 2024
NAR Buyer-Broker Settlement Approved Over DOJ Concerns
A Missouri federal judge granted final approval Tuesday to the National Association of Realtors' antitrust settlement with home sellers, signing off on a $418 million payment and changes to broker commission rules, as NAR and the plaintiffs assailed the U.S. Department of Justice for raising last-minute concerns about the deal.
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November 26, 2024
EPA Asks Justices Not To Block Coal Ash Rule
U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar called on the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday to reject a Kentucky electric utility's effort to halt a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule strengthening federal regulations requiring safe management of coal ash.
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November 26, 2024
Smart Devices Fail To Disclose Security Lifespan, FTC Says
As holiday shopping gets underway, the Federal Trade Commission is raising alarm about smart device update disclosures, saying an overwhelming majority of devices – from hearing aids to home security cameras and fitness devices — come without clear information on how long the manufacturer will keep them protected from security risks.
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November 26, 2024
Crypto Miner Can't Get Quick Appeal In SEC Fraud Suit
A Utah man accused of defrauding crypto mining investors out of $18 million must face the claims that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission brought against him after a lower court judge on Tuesday declined his request to send the case to the Tenth Circuit.
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November 26, 2024
Atty Sanctioned In Privacy Suit Over Dodgy Prejudice Claims
A Texas federal judge chided a plaintiffs' attorney during a Tuesday hearing in a privacy-related proposed class action, saying the lawyer needs a "refresher" on local rules and fining him $150 for seemingly pushing his own self-interests.
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November 26, 2024
Madigan Pushed Land Transfer After Law Biz Pitch, Jury Told
A former Chicago alderman testifying against ex-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan told jurors Tuesday he connected prospective developers to Madigan, who lobbied to take on their legal work and soon after pushed legislation that would clear the way for their project.
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November 26, 2024
Google Search Judge Says AI Will Affect Remedy Phase
The judge overseeing the government's search monopolization case against Google suggested Tuesday in D.C. federal court that artificial intelligence is shifting the market and will likely play a role in the remedies the court imposes on Google for allegedly violating antitrust law.
Expert Analysis
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SEC Fine Shows Risks Of Nonpublic Info In X, LinkedIn Posts
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently announced a settlement with DraftKings over charges arising from posting material nonpublic information on the CEO's social media accounts, highlighting that information posted to company websites and social media sites does not automatically qualify as "publicly disclosed" for purposes of Regulation FD, say attorneys at O'Melveny.
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What To Know About New Employment Laws In Fla.
Florida employers should familiarize themselves with recent state laws, and also federal legislation, on retirement benefits, teen labor and heat exposure, with special attention to prohibitions against minors performing dangerous tasks, as outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act, say Katie Molloy and Cayla Page at Greenberg Traurig.
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Anticipating Jarkesy's Effect On Bank Agency Enforcement
Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy, federal courts may eventually issue decisions on banking law principles and processes that could fundamentally alter the agencies' enforcement action framework, and the relationship between banks and examiners, says Brendan Clegg at Luse Gorman.
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CFTC Anti-Fraud Blitz Is A Warning To Carbon Credit Sellers
With its recent enforcement actions against a carbon offset project developer and its senior executives for reporting false information about the energy savings of the company's projects, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is staking out its position as a primary regulator in the voluntary carbon credit market, say attorneys at Morgan Lewis.
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Unpacking State AG Approaches To Digital Asset Enforcement
Attorneys at Cozen O'Connor survey recent digital asset enforcement by attorneys general nationwide driven by concerns over regulatory gaps where technological developments and market changes have outpaced legislation.
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3 Takeaways From Navy Shipbuilder's Fraud Guilty Plea
Austal USA’s recent plea agreement over accounting fraud charges highlights for other companies the benefits of cooperating with government investigations, the challenges posed by senior executives’ involvement in misconduct, and the high stakes for defense contractors, say Michael DeBernardis and Shayda Vance at Hughes Hubbard.
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Opinion
Legal Institutions Must Warn Against Phony Election Suits
With two weeks until the election, bar associations and courts have an urgent responsibility to warn lawyers about the consequences of filing unsubstantiated lawsuits claiming election fraud, says Elise Bean at the Carl Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy.
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Peeling Back The Layers Of SEC's Equity Trading Reforms
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's recently adopted amendments lowering the tick sizes for stock trading and reducing access fee caps will benefit investors and necessitate broad systems changes — if they can first survive judicial challenges, say attorneys at Sidley.
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How Cos. Can Build A Strong In-House Pro Bono Program
During this year’s pro bono celebration week, companies should consider some key pointers to grow and maintain a vibrant in-house program for attorneys to provide free legal services for the public good, says Mary Benton at Alston & Bird.
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Insights On NLRB General Counsel's New 'Stay-Or-Pay' Memo
Attorneys at Davis Wright discuss the National Labor Relations Board general counsel's new memorandum on employer “stay-or-pay” policies and noncompete agreements, and explain key takeaways concerning the proposed financial remedies, prosecution framework and more.
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Bristol-Myers Win Offers Lessons For Debt Security Holders
A New York federal judge's recent dismissal of a $6.4 billion lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb, due to plaintiff UMB Bank's lack of standing, serves as an important reminder to debt security holders to obtain depositary proxies before pursuing litigation, say attorneys at Milbank.
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Series
Home Canning Makes Me A Better Lawyer
Making my own pickles and jams requires seeing a process through from start to finish, as does representing clients from the start of a dispute at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board through any appeals to the Federal Circuit, says attorney Kevin McNish.
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CFPB School Lunch Focus Could Expand E-Payment Scrutiny
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's recent spotlight on payment processing systems used to add funds to school lunch accounts shows its continued ambitions to further expand its supervisory power in the payments industry, all the way down to the school lunch market, says Tom Witherspoon at Stinson.
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How Project 2025 Could Upend Federal ESG Policies
If implemented, Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation's policy playbook for a Republican presidential administration, would likely seek to deploy antitrust law to target ESG initiatives, limit pension fund managers' focus to pecuniary factors and spell doom for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's climate rule, say attorneys at Mintz.
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Opinion
Rental Price-Fixing Suit Against RealPage Doesn't Add Up
Recent government antitrust litigation against RealPage, alleging that the software company's algorithm for setting rental prices amounts to price-fixing, has failed to allege an actual conspiracy, and is an example of regulatory overreach that should be reined in, says Andrew Ketterer at Ketterer & Ketterer.