Taryn Phaneuf News
Former insurance agent says DLG owner 'deceived' his boss
LOS ANGELES — In 2006, insurance agent and securities broker James Davidson learned at a meeting about a new product that could be used to sell more insurance, but ultimately would wind up as the basis for legal problems.
Insurance agents' supervisor: 'Friedman owed me money' but kept quiet about it
LOS ANGELES — The plaintiff's lawyers spent days working to show how Tony Russon, the head of a MetLife subsidiary, stood by while the owner of an investment fund offering premium financing for insurance customers sold himself as a wealthy individual with a solid business.
Head of MetLife subsidiary continues testimony in fraud case
LOS ANGELES — Despite what have been interpreted as warning signs, Tony Russon testified last week that he continued to trust the owner of Diversified Lending Group during the years that the fund was taking on investors and financing premiums for insurance policies.
75-year-old plaintiff says she invested in DLG because she trusted MetLife; admits she should have asked more questions
LOS ANGELES – The plaintiff who claims MetLife and one of its subsidiaries endorsed that turned out to be a fraudulent real estate investment fund choked up as she described the embarrassment she felt when the fund was uncovered as a Ponzi scheme in 2009.
Court sides with marine mammal advocates in naval sonar lawsuit
SAN FRANCISCO — The federal agency tasked with granting the U.S. Navy permission to use low-frequency active sonar for training, testing and routine operations in oceans around the world didn’t do enough to protect marine mammals, a panel of judges in the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided recently.
MetLife compliance officer testifies in investment fraud case
LOS ANGELES — Attorneys in the lawsuit against MetLife and its subsidiary grilled a vice president in the insurance giant’s compliance department about policies governing its employees’ activities.
Judge brings 'breadth of experience' to Solano County court
FAIRFIELD – Carlos R. Gutierrez will soon join Solano County Superior Court as its newest judge.
Company employees testify in MetLife trial
LOS ANGELES – In the first week of testimony, attorneys representing Christine Ramirez in the lawsuit against MetLife and its subsidiary have pointed to years of contracts, emails and scheduled seminars, trying to convince jurors that the insurance giant failed to properly train and supervise its representatives who allegedly promoted a fraudulent investment fund, making it responsible for investors’ losses.
First suit against MetLife over Ponzi scheme starts in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — Christine Ramirez’s vision of a carefree retirement vanished when an investment scheme that “guaranteed” returns as high as 12 percent collapsed in 2009, taking her life savings with it.
Opponents say proposed law granting LGBT students right to sue schools would hurt students most
SACRAMENTO – Opponents of a proposed bill granting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students the right to sue religious colleges and universities for discrimination say not only would the law trample on a school’s religious identity, it could also limit students’ choices when it comes to picking a college.
Airbnb takes San Francisco to federal court over short-term rental law
SAN FRANCISCO – Airbnb has sued the city and county of San Francisco over a law that puts companies like it on the hook if they promote short-term housing rentals by a host that hasn’t registered with the city and county.
Judge allows part of country rapper's suit against Facebook to continue
REDWOOD CITY – A judge has allowed some claims by a self-titled “country rapper” against Facebook to survive the social media giant’s motion to dismiss.
Legislators seek review of sentence, judge in Santa Clara County rape case
PALO ALTO – In the wake of the sentence given to Brock Turner, a 20-year-old man convicted of sexually assaulting a woman while she was unconscious, people across the country have called for the judge in the case to be removed from office.
Monsanto calls for dismissal of lawsuits alleging it's responsible for PCB contamination
SAN JOSE – Monsanto has asked a California court to dismiss multiple lawsuits filed by California municipalities that blame the agricultural chemical company for PCB contamination in the San Francisco Bay.
San Francisco supervisors are ready for a challenge to amended short-term rental law
SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Board of Supervisors' amendment to the short-term rental law, putting companies like Airbnb on the hook for ensuring listed hosts are registered with the city and county, has caught the attention of other local governments.
Airbnb 'considering all options' after city passes stricter short-term renting rules
SAN FRANCISCO – A controversial amendment to San Francisco’s short-term rental housing law passed the Board of Supervisors.
California Supreme Court sides with Forever 21 in suit over arbitration agreement
SAN FRANCISCO – When Maribel Baltazar applied for a job at a Forever 21 distribution warehouse, she was told she had to sign an arbitration agreement as part of the 11-page application. Initially, she refused but she was told, “Sign it or no job.” So she signed.
Judge denies summary judgment in discrimination suit against San Jose bakery
SAN JOSE – In a suit alleging that an employer retaliated against an employee by suing her for defamation, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California determined the claim should go to trial.
Panel consolidates claims over Viagra's possible link to melanoma
SAN FRANCISCO – The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has consolidated what could be hundreds of claims against Pfizer for its alleged failure to warn Viagra users of the drug’s link to cancer.
Caddies appeal lawsuit against PGA Tour
SAN FRANCISCO – A group of golf caddies has taken its case against the PGA Tour to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals after a district court judge dismissed the suit in February.