Hewlett Packard to Pay $16.25 million in Bribery Case

California-based Hewlett Packard has settled two separate but related whistle-blower lawsuits. The suits alleged that HP violated competitive bidding rules for federal programs providing internet services to public schools. HP company contractors reportedly bribed Texas school officials with expensive gifts such as Super Bowl tickets and rides on fancy yachts. In exchange, the school officials…

Catalina Island: D.A. says SCUBA Businesses Engaged in Unfair Competition

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office has settled the case of two SCUBA diving business owners that ganged up on a competitor. Two Avalon SCUBA outfits attempted to drive competitor Ron Moore of Dive Catalina out of business by fixing prices for diving tours. According to the D.A.’s office the textbook collusion resulted in unfair…

Catalina Island: D.A. says SCUBA Businesses Engaged in Unfair Competition

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s office has settled the case of two SCUBA diving business owners that ganged up on a competitor. Two Avalon SCUBA outfits attempted to drive competitor Ron Moore of Dive Catalina out of business by fixing prices for diving tours. According to the D.A.’s office the textbook collusion resulted in unfair…

Hewlett Packard to Pay $16.25 million in Bribery Case

California-based Hewlett Packard has settled two separate but related whistle-blower lawsuits. The suits alleged that HP violated competitive bidding rules for federal programs providing internet services to public schools. HP company contractors reportedly bribed Texas school officials with expensive gifts such as Super Bowl tickets and rides on fancy yachts. In exchange, the school officials…

Supreme Court Hears California Case that Could Impact Class Action Lawsuits

We won’t know what the Supreme Court has to say until some time next year, but most attorneys and consumer advocates are breathing a sigh of relief after recent arguments heard by the court. For now it doesn’t appear that the line of questioning by the justices will lead them to prohibit the state of…

Olive Oil: How to Get What You Pay for When Buying “Extra Virgin”

A recent study released by the University of California, Davis Olive Center revealed that 69% of imported olive oils and 10% of California olive oils tested were erroneously labeled as “extra virgin olive oil.” The oils that were mislabeled did not meet the International Olive Council (IOC) and US Department of Agriculture’s standards for extra…

Congressional Report: Denial of Health Insurance Coverage at All Time High from 2007-2009

A recently released report from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led by California Representative Henry Waxman, found that denial of individual health insurance policies increased almost 50% between 2007 and 2009, and that companies are denying more claims based on pre-existing conditions. Four of the largest insurance companies, WellPoint Inc., Aetna Inc., Humana Inc.,…

New USDA Olive Oil Rules Go into Effect

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new guidelines for Olive Oil labeling went into effect on October 24th, 2010. The new standards define grades of olive oil and establish chemical and sensory guidelines for determining each grade, including “extra virgin.” Bottles of olive oil should also now have a “best by” date printed on them…

99¢ Only Store Fined for Selling Misbranded Toxic Products

The 99¢ Only Store was fined this week for illegally selling misbranded toxic products in violation of federal law. The 99¢ Only Store’s violations were discovered in multiple inspections by federal officials in California, Arizona and Nevada between 2004 and 2008. A federal judge ordered the retail chain to pay nearly $410,000 in penalties for…