United States

Fifth Circuit Certifies Texas LLC Exemption Question to State Supreme Court

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has certified a question to the Supreme Court of Texas regarding whether a Texas LLC membership interest is an exempt asset in federal bankruptcy proceedings. The court is seeking clarification on Texas state law to resolve a dispute between a debtor and the bankruptcy trustee.

Fifth Circuit Court Opinion on Mississippi Vapor Law

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a motion for an injunction pending appeal in a case challenging Mississippi House Bill 916. The court found that the plaintiffs, including vapor retailers and trade associations, failed to establish Article III standing to challenge the law, which restricts the sale of electronic nicotine devices to those approved by the FDA.

Scott Reardon v. American Airlines - Retaliatory Termination Claim

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of a retaliatory termination claim filed by Scott Reardon against American Airlines under the Railway Labor Act. The court found that Reardon's termination was based on violations of a Last Chance Agreement, not retaliation.

Geo Group v. Inslee - Ninth Circuit Denies Rehearing

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals denied a petition for rehearing in the case of The GEO Group, Inc. v. Jay Inslee. The court's prior decision vacated a preliminary injunction against a Washington state law concerning civil detainees and remanded the case. The denial of rehearing means the prior ruling stands.

Cox v. Gritman Medical Center - Personal Jurisdiction Ruling

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a district court's dismissal in Cox v. Gritman Medical Center, finding personal jurisdiction over Idaho-based defendants in a wrongful death action brought by Washington residents. The court held that defendants cultivated treatment relationships with Washington residents and transmitted prescriptions to Washington pharmacies, satisfying the long-arm statute and Due Process Clause.

Indictments for Medicaid Fraud and Money Laundering by Transport Provider

The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office announced indictments against a non-emergency medical transportation provider and its former owner for Medicaid fraud and money laundering. The company allegedly billed MassHealth over $770,000 for unprovided services and laundered the proceeds.

CT Dept of Banking Administrative Orders Index Update

The Connecticut Department of Banking has removed several company entries from its administrative orders index. This update affects the visibility of past enforcement actions related to Castle Credit Co Holdings, LLC, Great American Finance Holdings, LLC, and others.

Texas AG Secures 50-Year Sentence Against Human Trafficker

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced a 50-year prison sentence for Robert Franklin for trafficking and sexually exploiting a child. The sentence includes a $50,000 fine and is connected to a multi-state prostitution scheme. This action highlights the state's commitment to prosecuting human trafficking offenses.

Texas AG Sues Snapchat for Deception and Child Endangerment

The Texas Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Snap, Inc. (Snapchat) for allegedly deceiving parents and consumers about the app's safety and for exposing children to inappropriate content and addictive features. The lawsuit seeks to hold Snapchat accountable for these alleged harms.

USITC Affirmative Determinations on Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations for MAMMOs from Taiwan

The USITC has made affirmative determinations that a U.S. industry is materially injured by imports of multifunctional acrylate and methacrylate monomers and oligomers (MAMMOs) from Taiwan sold at less than fair value and subsidized by the government. As a result, the Department of Commerce will issue antidumping and countervailing duty orders.