Lawsuits

DOJ Joins Lawsuit Alleging UnitedHealth Overcharged

A lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group alleges that the insurer overcharged Medicare hundreds of millions of dollars. According to Reuters, the lawsuit, which was filed in 2011 but was just unsealed on February 16, claims the insurer depicted …


House Files Lawsuit Against Florida Lottery Over Contract

The House of Representatives filed a lawsuit late Friday accusing the Florida Lottery of illegally signing a long-term contract for ticket sales, escalating a feud between House Speaker Richard Corcoran and Gov. Rick Scott a little more than a week before the legislative session begins. Corcoran’s decision to file the lawsuit represents a head-on confrontation with an agency overseen by Scott. In response, the governor’s office slammed Corcoran, an attorney, as …


Ground-Breaking Voting Rights Lawsuit Challenges Judicial Orthodoxy

Do We Have the Right to Vote for President? The Supreme Court Says “No!” In Bush v Gore (2000) the Supreme Court said when the State Legislature vests the right to vote for President in its people, the State can take it back at any time. A lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Portland, Oregon, asserts in a new, straight-forward interpretation of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that Section 2 of the amendment grants the right to vote for President to all qualified citizens of the United States. In 1875 the Supreme Court ruled that Section 2 only exists to allow states to deny the right to vote to their “colored populations,” a ruling the court has never contradicted. …



Hollywood May Face Federal Lawsuit for Discriminating Against Women Directors

Earlier this week, Deadline reported that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is in “settlement talks” with the major Hollywood studios. These talks are in response to allegations that the studios systematically discriminated against women directors. A “knowledgeable” but anonymous source told Deadline, “Every one of the major studios has received a charge contending that they …


GOP Leaders Renew Push to Block Lawsuit Over Election Spat

Mississippi House Republican leaders will appeal a court ruling in a dispute over an election that tied, went to a drawing of straws and was later flipped. The disputed election gave House Republicans a three-fifths supermajority by changing a seat from Democrat Bo Eaton to the GOP’s Mark Tullos. The lawsuit was filed by five voters whose ballots were discarded.


Men’s Soccer Player’s Lawsuit Gives Rare Look at How Duke Decides Sexual Misconduct Cases

As litigation continues about whether Duke improperly suspended men’s soccer player Ciaran McKenna for rape, a superior court judge has allowed him to stay on campus as a student. After being suspended, McKenna sued Duke and Dean of Student Conduct Stephen Bryan on the grounds that the University violated its own policies during the disciplinary process. Hudson granted a preliminary injunction Wednesday that will allow McKenna—who was previously suspended six semesters—to remain at Duke for the time being. The injunction does not constitute a final determination that Duke erred, just that McKenna should not be suspended while either the court or a jury further decides the issue. After convincing the judge to make the complaint available publically, The Chronicle was able to review McKenna’s filing, which included exhibits, two hearing reports and supporting documents. The Chronicle has constructed a timeline and explanation of events based on the documents filed in court by McKenna’s lawyers and by the University. Those involved in the lawsuit either could not be reached for comment in time for publication or declined to comment. …


Tribes File New Lawsuit to Stop Dakota Access Pipeline as Drilling Begins

The Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes have filed new lawsuits in yet another legal effort to stop a 1,172-mile, 570,000 barrel-per-day crude oil pipeline that skirts the Standing Rock reservation in North Dakota within a half mile. Meanwhile, the pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners began drilling when the Army Corps of Engineers granted them an easement needed for construction …


Environmental Group Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over Bees

An environmental group filed suit in federal court this week against the Trump administration saying that a freeze on an ‘endangered species’ designation for the rusty patched bumblebee is illegal. Officials with the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service say the bumblebee has disappeared from ninety percent of its habitat. It used to be in Michigan – but has rarely been seen in recent years.


Feds Join Whistleblower Lawsuit Claiming UnitedHealth Overcharged Medicare

Reuters is reporting that the U.S. Justice Department has joined a whistleblower lawsuit against Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group that claims the country’s largest health insurer and its units and affiliates overcharged Medicare hundreds of millions of dollars, a law firm representing the whistleblower said on Thursday. “We reject these more than five-year-old claims and will contest them …