News from February 2017
Guardian Life Insurance Co., Box Inc. plan alleged to have wrongfully denied benefits
SAN JOSE – A Santa Clara County alleges his claims for disability benefits were unlawfully denied.
Apollo 15 commander accuses jewelers of marketing watch with his image without permission
SAN JOSE – The commander of the Apollo 15 space mission alleges his image was used on marketing for a watch without his consent.
Celebrity photograph agency alleges Looklive used photos without permission
LOS ANGELES – A Redondo Beach celebrity photograph agency claims a Georgia business that operates a shopping website and app used its photos without permission.
Toyota calls foul on class-action lawsuit
LOS ANGELES — Toyota has made it clear it is not standing for the complaints that owners have filed against it.
NEEDS EDIT QUESTION ON WORD COUNT: Beverly Hills attorney suspended for not continuing education
LOS ANGELES — Attorney Mark Allen Wiesenthal of Beverly Hills was suspended from practicing law for 60 days by the State Bar of California beginning Nov. 20, 2016, according to the bar's website.
Bot Home Automation Inc. accused of violating labor codes
LOS ANGELES – A class-action suit has been filed against a Santa Monica company over allegations it misclassified its employees as exempt from hourly wages and overtime.
Man alleges he is owed disability benefits
LOS ANGELES – A man claims his disability benefits were unlawfully terminated and seeks payment of the benefits.
Golden West Envelope Corp. alleged to owe more than $3,000 in contributions
LOS ANGELES – An Oakland employer is alleged to have not paid employee contributions.
Man alleges Beepi never paid for car detailing, owes more than $98,000 in unpaid wages
LOS ANGELES – A car detailer alleges an online used car sales business never paid him for his work.
Liberty Life, LPC Services plan alleged to have wrongfully denied disability claim
LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles man alleges he is disabled and that his insurer wrongfully denied his claim for disability benefits.
Style in USA accused of using Jitrade textile without authorization
LOS ANGELES – Textile converter Jitrade alleges one of its designs was unlawfully used in clothing.
Former San Diego deputy DA suspended for obstruction
LOS ANGELES — The State Bar of California ruled on Nov. 20 to suspend Allison Christine Worden, a former San Diego County deputy district attorney, from the practice of law for 60 days, according to the State Bar website.
Automotive Recovery Services sued for alleged nonprotections of donor information
SAN BRUNO, Calif. — A San Bruno resident has filed a complaint against Automotive Recovery Services, alleging that her personal information was not protected against hackers when she donated a car to charity.
Some want to see restrictions on local-government use of private attorneys
SANTA ANA, Calif. — While district attorneys and attorneys general who sometimes hire private attorneys to help bring consumer-protection cases see it as a way to match resources with business giants, some civil-justice reform groups continue to scrutinize the practice in California.
California Supreme Court Denies Drakes Bay petition, case returns to Coastal Commission
SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court denied a petition this week by a shellfish farm challenging the authority of the Coastal Commission and its ability to provide a fair hearing.
In consumer fraud cases, OC DA hires help to take on biggest opponents
SANTA ANA, Calif. — In its quest to protect Orange County citizens from consumer fraud, the district attorney’s office has come up against some deep-pocketed opponents over the years.
Covina attorney suspended for failure to comply with discipline agreement
LOS ANGELES — The State Bar Court of California suspended attorney Jeffrey Thomas Bolson.
Attorney suspended for not continuing legal education
LOS ANGELES — The State Bar Court of California ruled on Nov. 20, 2016, to suspend attorney Tiffany Carrie Stevens from the practice of law, according to the group's website.
HS2 Academy accused former employee of misappropriating information
LOS ANGELES – A private educational consulting business alleges a former employee started his own competing business using its confidential information.
Tax Help Group alleged to have sent spam text messages
LOS ANGELES – A tax business is being accused of sending spam text messages in a class-action complaint.