Stars Face Reality

Cell for celebrities

Todd and Julie Chrisley have joined the roster of reality stars that have faced fraud-related legal troubles.  Following a November court date, the married couple was ordered to serve a combined sentence of almost 20 years in prison.  Their shared list of charges includes conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, tax fraud and conspiracy to defraud the United States.  While Julie will serve a seven-year sentence in Kentucky, Todd has been sentenced to twelve years in a Pensacola, FL facility.  In one of his recent podcasts, Todd admitted that their legal counsel has already filed the necessary paperwork to appeal the conviction.  Continue reading →

New Lawsuit Fires Up

Distilling a class action

Those who consume the occasional alcoholic beverage may or may not have noticed that the mini bottles sold under the Fireball Cinnamon label do not contain whisky.  While the specific word “whisky” is not displayed on the product name, it may be assumed that the product is comparable, arguably identical to the larger variety Fireball Cinnamon Whisky bottle.  In response to the apparent deceptiveness, plaintiff Anna Marquez has filed a class action lawsuit against the US-based manufacturer, Sazerac Co. Inc.  In addition to damages, Marquez is also requesting a jury trial and injunction relief.     Continue reading →

Studio Delivers a False Ad

Actress didn’t make the cut

A judge has ruled that despite free speech protections, based on a commercial factor, movie studios could be held liable for releasing content in previews or trailers that do not later display on the big screen. The ruling leaves the right to sue in the hands of fans. Aside from providing moviegoers with a heartfelt comedy for the ages, the 2019 film, Yesterday, also produced a trailer that featured actress, Ana de Armas, in the role of a potential love interest. The actress, who stars in Knives Out and Blonde, delivered a strong performance that is now included as a deleted scene in Yesterday. Continue reading →

Setting the Sweet Bar

Metal content sours consumers

Considered one of the largest chocolate companies in the world, Hershey is known for its quality, variety, and most recently, lead content. By acquiring Lily’s brand chocolate, in 2021, the chocolate manufacturing giant expanded its empire. Now, specific dark chocolate products from both Hershey and Lily’s are under scrutiny, as high concentrations of metals have been detected. The results of scientific testing indicate that Hershey’s Special Dark bar and Lily’s 70% bar were elevated in lead; and Lily’s 85% bar was high in lead and cadmium. A class action is seeking $5 million in damages, including $500 per transaction. Continue reading →

Consumer Leads the Charge

Charging up a class action

An Apple consumer in Illinois has accused the company of misleading customers and providing a product that is not complete or sustainable for proper use. According to her complaint, plaintiff Elizabeth Steines alleges that as far back as last year, Apple sold its iPhones without chargers. Although there is printing that indicates the absence of the charger, the unit packaging may not necessarily illustrate an obvious warning that the iPhone Lightning Cable and power adapter are sold separately. The plaintiff is seeking punitive and compensatory damages on behalf of herself and additional claimants. Continue reading →