Tag Archives: federal

Save the Whales

Alternative energy

A hot topic among politicians and the current presidential administration, climate change presents opportunities to address alternative energy sources. President Biden’s solution involves the development of offshore wind turbines, which may subsequently create jobs. Despite the prospective benefits of generating electricity for 400,000 homes, the $3 million, 800-megawatt project is a growing concern for Nantucket residents and members of the ACK Residents Against Turbines. According to their arguments, Vineyard Winds has failed to provide adequate research data supporting the safety and preservation of marine life. In particular, wind turbines potentially threaten the lives of endangered Northern Atlantic right whales. Continue reading →

Occupy Wall Street Protesters Reach Settlement with City

Picket lines-do not cross

Many protesters who were involved in the Occupy Wall Street movement were arrested for frivolous charges during their demonstrations. These protesters then filed suit against the city in federal court stating that their right to free speech and free assembly were violated. The Huffington Post states, “Over the course of multiple protests in New York, many Occupy supporters were arrested in situations in which the police blocked or “kettled” demonstrators and then charged them with minor violations like obstructing the sidewalk”. This is the latest and largest settlement regarding the 2012 arrests, a $583,000 settlement was reached Tuesday, June 10. Over $1 million has been spent by New York City settling Occupy lawsuits such as this.

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Mexican Lawsuit Takes Yahoo South of the Border

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Pleito; that’s Spanish for “lawsuit”

Como se dice “Yahoo” en Espanol?  In a recent lawsuit between Yahoo and Mexico’s version of the Yellow Pages, Yahoo has been accused of various counts relating to breach of contract.  A judge in Mexico City has brought down a $2.7 billion judgment on the internet corporation.  Worldwide Directories and Ideas Interactivas claim that they have been losing profits due to Yahoo and Yahoo de Mexico’s regular business practices.  The details of the lawsuit have not become public information; reports out of their headquarters in Sunnyvale, California state that Yahoo does not believe the decision to be final. Read more

The Fire Rises: Hells Angels Lawsuit Heats Up

Fire rises

Hells Angels, the infamous motorcycle group from southern California, are filing suit in federal court against the United States. The dispute stands over the US’s ban of foreign members of the gang entering the country. Members of the Hells Angels have been convicted of multiple crimes, including drug trafficking, extortion, and other felonies in North America, South America, Europe.  The U.S. has classified the Hells Angels as a “known criminal organization,” but due to the suit the government is in the process of fielding the request for an injunction in which they cannot associate the Hell’s Angels with violence and crime.

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A pregnant woman, by Flickr user "karolajnat", licensed via Creative Commons.

Maternity Leave No Reason to Discriminate for Mortgage Insurer

Maternity v. Mortgage

The mortgage insurer MGIC Investment Group has settled a federal lawsuit alleging that they refused to sell mortgage insurance to women on maternity leave.  The suit claimed that the company required 70 women to return to work before they would sell them the insurance, which “allows homebuyers to take out loans with down payments of less than 20%”, according to the Wall Street Journal.  Yesterday, the company settled for $550,000, with $511,000 to be compensation for the women and $39,000 as a civil penalty to the government.  In addition, MGIC will have to train its employees on discrimination law and revamp its policies concerning customers on maternity leave.  The company has also entered a preliminary settlement in a related class action suit in order to avoid spending any more money on a lawsuit they will likely lose.

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