New York Paralegal Blog

A recent guilty plea in federal court out of Tacoma, Washington, shines a spotlight on the serious consequences of violating wildlife protection laws. Branden Trager of Brush Prairie, Washington, and his company, Mayhem Services LLC, admitted to breaking federal hunting regulations, specifically the Lacey Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). What Happened? In January 2023, Trager and Mayhem Services conducted a hunting trip in western Washington where they violated the MBTA. While the specific violations weren't fully detailed in the provided information, the MBTA prohibits actions like: Hunting migratory birds with a vehicle. Using a vehicle to herd birds. Exceeding daily bag limits. Failing to retrieve downed birds. Transporting untagged birds belonging to someone else. After these violations, the illegally taken birds were transported, which then violated the Lacey Act—a law designed to prevent the trafficking of unlawfully obtained wildlife across state or ...

It's a victory for disability rights! Everport Terminal Services (ETS), operating out of the bustling Port of Oakland, has agreed to pay a hefty $200,000 to a former employee after a thorough investigation by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This isn't just about money; it's a powerful statement that discrimination against workers with disabilities will not be tolerated. The heart of the issue? A dedicated "steady" longshoreman mechanic, eager to work within his doctor's restrictions, was shockingly turned away when he arrived to accept a light-duty position. His supervisor, in an act that can only be described as a failure of basic human decency and legal obligation, denied suitable work was available and sent him home. Can you imagine the frustration, the pain, of wanting to contribute, of being ready, and being denied simply because of a disability? This egregious conduct is a direct violation of the Americans with Disabi...

Imagine a world where people with disabilities can live full, independent lives, participate in their communities, and work jobs they love. For many, this isn't just a dream – it's a reality made possible by vital programs like group homes and day programs. But a looming threat is on the horizon: Medicaid cuts. You might hear "Medicaid" and think of healthcare, and you'd be right. But Medicaid also plays a silent, crucial role in funding the programs that allow people with disabilities to thrive outside of institutions. These are the programs that help with daily tasks, teach job skills, and connect individuals to their communities. So, what happens when Medicaid funding gets slashed? It's not pretty. Here's a look at the likely fallout: Services Disappear: The first thing to go? Many of the "extra" services that help people live independently. Think of it like this: if you have a tight budget, you cut back on non-essentials first. For people wi...

Washington, D.C., Sept. 25, 2012 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged a New York-based brokerage firm and three executives for allowing traders outside the U.S. to access the markets and conduct manipulative trading through accounts the firm controlled.

The Federal Trade Commission today issued a statement announcing that it will forbear from enforcing most provisions of its Mortgage Assistance Relief Services (MARS) Rule against real estate brokers and their agents who assist financially distressed consumers in obtaining short sales from their lenders or servicers.

Affirms musculoskeletal disorder should be recorded on OSHA 300 Injury and Illness Log  PEORIA , Ill. — An administrative law judge with the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission in Denver, Colo., has affirmed an other-than-serious safety citation issued to Peoria-based Caterpillar Logistics Services by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration in June 2009. The company was cited for failing to record a worker's musculoskeletal disorder on the company's OSHA 300 log and assessed a proposed penalty of $900. "Musculoskeletal disorders are very prevalent and are significant workplace injuries and illnesses," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels, who praised the decision. "It is imperative that these types of work-related illnesses are logged appropriately so workers and managers are made aware of them as well as their causes, and so that we can all learn how to be...

SEATTLE — The U.S. Department of Labor has debarred HWA Inc., President John Wood and Vice President Barbara Wood from future government contracts for three years, due to significant and repeated violations of the McNamara-O'Hara Service Contract Act and the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act. Seattle-based HWA provided security services as a contractor to various federal facilities, government offices and public works projects in the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Missouri and New York. "The Labor Department will not allow federal contractors to misuse public funds and exploit hardworking laborers by denying their rightful wages," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Debarring violators such as HWA from future contracts ensures a level playing field, so that honest companies are not placed at a competitive disadvantage for playing by the rules, and paying their workers full and fair prevailing wages." This debarment action is based on HW...

Under a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, two companies and three individuals are banned from the mortgage relief services business and must relinquish $2.2 million in assets for consumer refunds. The action is part of the FTC’s ongoing effort to stop scams that target financially strapped homeowners seeking mortgage relief. In November 2009, the FTC alleged that Kirkland Young LLC and its manager, David Botton, misrepresented themselves as consumer mortgage lenders, servicers, or their affiliates, and falsely promised they would modify consumers’ loans and make their mortgage payments more affordable. The court halted the operations and froze the defendants’ assets pending resolution of the case. The following month, the FTC added Botton’s sister, April Botton Krawiecki; their father, Samy Botton; and Attorney Aid LLC as defendants.

MINNEAPOLIS – A federal judge has entered a consent decree requiring the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to pay $467,165 to resolve an age discrimination case filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. The consent decree entered by District Court Judge David S. Doty requires DHS to pay $467,165 to 29 claimants who were denied employer contributions for retiree health and dental insurance because they were older than age 55 at the time that they retired. DHS also must to offer to pay future premium costs for persons who would still be entitled to receive them but for the unlawful early retirement provision.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission gives Integrated Broadband Services a lesson in disparate treatment. Similarly situated analyst, one black and one white were disciplined unfairly. The white analyst who left 2 hours early from work twice in one week was given a written warning, whereas the black analyst who left 30 minuets early once in one week was fired. Integrated Broadband should have written them both up or fired them. Disparate treatment looks at equal treatment of employees in the workplace. It is unlawful to treat white employees better than black employees, there should always be equal treatment when it comes to rewards and punishment on the job. Integrated Broadband Services learned about disparate treatment at a cost of $60,0000.00 payed to the EEOC in a civil settlement. What are your opinions on equal employment issues? Feel free to leave a comment. By: Joel Irving. See, related story>>

WASHINGTON - Verizon Communications Inc. has paid the United States $93,525,410.96 in order to resolve allegations that the company overcharged the General Services Administration (GSA) on invoices dealing with government-wide voice and data telecommunications services contracts, the Justice Department announced today. Verizon subsidiary MCI Communications Services Inc. dba Verizon Business Services is alleged to have invoiced GSA for a variety of federal, state and local taxes and surcharges in violation of the contracts or applicable regulations in connection with the FTS2001 and FTS2001 Bridge contracts. The department’s joint investigation with GSA’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) found that Verizon and MCI submitted false claims under the contracts for the reimbursement of property taxes, common carrier recovery charges and unallowable surcharges, charges that are not directly reimbursable under the FTS2001 contracts.

ATLANTA – Integrated Broadband Services, a provider of operational support software and back office services deployed by cable and broadband operators worldwide, will pay $60,000 to settle a race and national origin discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today. In its lawsuit, filed on Sept. 28, 2010, in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division (Case No.: 1:10-CV-03106), the EEOC charged that a black Tanzanian network analyst was fired for leaving work 30 minutes early. However, a similarly situated white network analyst received only a written discipline after leaving work two hours early, twice in one week.

Washington, D.C., March 25, 2011 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Houston-area businessman Daniel Frishberg with fraudulent conduct in connection with promissory note offerings made to clients of his investment advisory firm. The SEC alleges that Frishberg's firm Daniel Frishberg Financial Services (DFFS) advised clients to invest in notes issued by Business Radio Networks (BizRadio), a media company founded by Frishberg where he hosts his own show under the nickname "The MoneyMan." Frishberg failed to tell his clients about BizRadio's poor financial condition or his significant conflicts of interest with the note offerings that helped fund his salary at BizRadio.

Brand Energy Fired Employee for Refusing Supervisor’s Requests for Sex, Federal Agency Charged NEW ORLEANS – Four related national construction companies -- Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., Brand Services, LLC, Brand Energy Solutions, LLC, and Brand Scaffold Services, LLC (Brand) -- will pay $110,000 to settle a suit for sexual harassment and retaliation filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced on 2/23/2011. The court-approved settlement resolves the charge of a former employee, Jauronice Hayes, who worked for Brand at its Conoco Phillips facility in Belle Chasse, La.

An operator of an online “scareware” scheme will pay more than $8 million to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that he used deceptive ads to trick consumers into thinking their computers were infected with malicious software, and then sold them software to “fix” their non-existent problem. As part of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to protect consumers from online scams, the agency cracked down on the scareware operation, filing a complaint against seven defendants who allegedly operated the scheme in 2008. The agency charged that the defendants did business using the company names Innovative Marketing, Inc. and ByteHosting Internet Services, LLC, operated using a variety of aliases, and maintained offices in various countries.

NEW YORK, NY (August 17, 2010) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the latest actions in his ongoing effort to combat scams that target New York’s immigrant communities. As part of his broad investigation into immigration fraud, Cuomo has shut down seven companies and sued two other organizations for providing fraudulent legal services to immigrants. The following seven companies and their owners have been permanently barred from operating any immigration services businesses and must collectively pay $370,000 in damages to the State of New York: (1) Centro Santa Ana, Inc. and Ana Lucia Baquero, in Queens; (2) Margo’s Immigration Services and Margarita Davidov a/k/a Margo Davidov, in Queens; (3) Miguel Fittipaldi, J.D., Ltd. and Miguel Fittipaldi, in Manhattan; (4) Arthur C. Hurwitz, in Manhattan; (5) Oficina Legal Para Hispanos, P.C. and Geoffrey S. Stewart, in Manhattan; (6) Asilos and Camilo Perdomo, in Queens; and (7) Mision Hispana, Inc. and Mayra Liz, in Queens.

A Dutch aviation services company, its director and sales manager pleaded guilty today in the District of Columbia to federal charges related to a conspiracy to illegally export aircraft components and other items from the United States to entities in Iran via the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus. The announcement was made by David Kris, Assistant Attorney General for National Security; Channing D. Phillips, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; and Kevin Delli-Colli, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, and Sharon E. Woods, Director of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. The investigation was conducted by agents from the Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

NEW YORK, NY (August 20, 2009) Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that his Office has shut down three New York companies providing unauthorized and fraudulent legal services to immigrant communities, in the latest stages of his ongoing investigation into immigration fraud. Under the terms of the agreements secured by Cuomo’s Office, Immigration Solutions and Systems, Inc. of New York, Alisandra Multiservices, Inc. of Brentwood, Long Island, and All Immigration Services of Great Neck, Long Island are permanently barred from operating a business that provides immigration-related services and must collectively pay approximately $118,000 in penalties. Cuomo also announced separate lawsuits filed today in New York State Supreme Court against three additional companies providing legal services to immigrants which they were neither authorized nor accredited to provide. According to the lawsuits filed today in New York State Supreme Court, Immigration Community Service Corporat...

San Diego - Continuing his fight against "rip-off artists," Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. won a $1.2 million ruling against Gaston Muhammad, 42, and Ronna Green, 41, of Duluth, GA, who billed nearly a million California business owners $150 each for deceptive and unnecessary corporate minutes services. "These rip-off artists sent nearly a million deceptive mailers to business owners, threatening them with loss of their corporate status if they didn't pay $150 for unnecessary services," Brown said. "In reality, this was a massive scam costing California small business owners hundreds of thousands of dollars." The defendants mailed solicitations to California business owners that were designed to look like State of California official forms-specifically, the Secretary of State's "Annual Statement of Information." The solicitations implied that unless the corporations paid the defendants a $150 annual fee, they could lose their co...

The operators of a debt collection company that used false threats and other unlawful tactics to collect consumers’ debts have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated federal law. The settlements bar future violations and require the defendants to pay $225,000. According to the FTC complaint, the defendants, who had about three million consumer accounts and collected debts in every state, falsely threatened that nonpayment of debt would result in garnishment of consumers’ wages, arrest, or legal action. The FTC alleged that the defendants used illegal and abusive debt collection methods: they called consumers before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.; called their workplace when the collectors knew or had reason to know that the calls were inconvenient; told employers, co-workers, relatives, and neighbors about the consumers’ debts; continued calling after receiving consumers’ written demands to stop; and used harassing and abusive tactics such as calling many times a ...