Sep 1, 2016

$104 Million Lawsuit Against Bill Whatcott Threatens Free Speech

Tom Schuck, a member of the Catholic Civil Rights League, believes a lawsuit against Bill Whatcott, which stems from Toronto Pride Parade in July, could set a dangerous precedent. It was announced Aug. 12 by lawyer Douglas Elliott in Ottawa, who was joined by lead plaintiffs George Smitherman, the former Liberal deputy premier of Ontario, and gay activist Christopher Hudspeth. “It’s really not …


USD Botched Rape Investigation, Mistreated Victim

A former University of San Diego student is suing the school, saying she was drugged, strangled and raped in her dorm room and the school mishandled the investigation and then failed to help her feel safe on campus. The student reported that she was attacked in February 2014. She requested to be identified only by her nickname, “Niki,” and The San Diego Union-Tribune agreed, given a policy …


Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’

New York federal judge Jed Rakoff has dismissed a lawsuit against Beyoncé concerning Lemonade, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In June, independent filmmaker Matthew Fulks had filed the lawsuit, which alleged elements of Lemonade were lifted from his short film, Palinoia. ‘Lemonade’ medley highlighted an otherwise charisma-free show Fulks’ lawsuit was filed against Beyoncé, Sony, Columbia …


Judge Rules Against Tesla in Missouri Dealer License Lawsuit

Updated at 2:30 p.m. Tesla’s licenses to sell cars in Missouri are in jeopardy after a circuit judge ruled the electric car maker is not a franchisee and its licenses should not be renewed by the Missouri Department of Revenue. Led by billionaire CEO Elon Musk, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based electric car maker sells vehicles from company-owned stores and online. In January 2015, after Tesla opened …


Lawsuit Filed in Quemado Explosion Involving Takata Air Bags in 18-Wheeler

A lawsuit has been filed in connection with the fatal explosion at a home in Quemado involving an 18-wheeler that contained Takata air bag inflators. The incident occurred Aug. 22 when investigators said the 18-wheeler, which contained a load of Takata air bag inflators, ran off the road, caught fire and exploded, killing Lucila Robles, 69. Investigators said the truck was also …


Embattled Rockford Cop Jonathan Hedges Among Defendants in Excessive Force Lawsuit

By Kristen Zambo Staff writer Follow @@kristenzamboPosted Sep. 1, 2016 at 10:33 am Updated Sep 1, 2016 at 11:58 PMFollow @@kristenzambo ROCKFORD — A Rockford police officer with a history of professional and legal troubles is one of three officers accused of using excessive force during a Rockford man’s arrest. An attorney for Torrey T. Turner, of Rockford, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in U.S. …


200+ Musicians Have Signed an Appeal to Overturn Blurred Lines Lawsuit Verdict

The good news for Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke is that their 2013 track, “Blurred Lines,” is still being talked about all these years and pop songs later. The bad news is that most of the chatter has been about the copyright lawsuit brought by Marvin Gaye’s family, who claimed that Williams had infringed on the late singer’s “Got To Give It Up.” Last year, a jury found in favor of the …


Five Drivers File $16.5-Million Lawsuit Against Eldora Speedway

Dirt late model driver Scott Bloomquist and four other drivers filed a $16.5-million lawsuit against World Racing Group and subsidiary UMP DIRTcar Racing, Eldora Speedway and track owner Tony Stewart last week, according to a report by Courthouse News Service. The five drivers – Bloomquist, Jimmy Owens, Gregg Satterlee, Brandon Sheppard and Ricky Thornton Jr. – were disqualified after failing a …


Judge Dismisses Illinois Social Service Providers’ Lawsuit

A judge on Wednesday dismissed a lawsuit brought by social service providers who wanted the court to force payment on contracts with the state of Illinois, saying the issue belongs in a higher court. After brief oral arguments, Cook County Judge Rodolfo Garcia tossed the lawsuit. Nearly 100 social service providers, called the Pay Now Illinois coalition, sued in May over fallout from the …


Texas Teacher Slammed to Ground by Austin Cops Files Lawsuit

A Texas teacher who was slammed to the ground by cops and told blacks have “violent tendencies” has filed a lawsuit against the city of Austin. Dashcam video shows Breaion King, who is black, being shoved to the ground by a white officer during a traffic stop in June 2015. Later, another Austin officer can be heard making the remark after engaging in a discussion with King.