In The Courtroom

Boeing Accused Of Derailing Toxic Cleanup

June 13, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica-based advocacy group, is accusing Boeing Co. of hindering efforts to properly clean up its portion of the <span class="pt_location_term">Santa Susana</span> Field Laboratory in <span class="pt_location_term">Simi Valley</span>.</p> <p>Boeing owns about 80 percent of the former field lab, including a portion known as Area IV that experienced a partial nuclear meltdown in 1959. The rest of the site belongs to the federal government.</p>

New Report Exposes Boeing Influence Peddling That Derailed Cleanup of a Partial Nuclear Meltdown Site Near L.A.

June 5, 2014  ·  Liza Tucker

A new report released by Consumer Watchdog today documents how Boeing and its influential fixers derailed the cleanup of a partial nuclear meltdown site in greater Los Angeles with help from their regulators at the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).

How Boeing Blocked a Nuclear and Chemical Cleanup in LA’s Backyard

June 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>In 1979, a nuclear power reactor at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania suffered a partial meltdown. There was widespread anxiety nationwide. As a reporter at KNBC, Channel 4, I reported that a similar accident, a much smaller research reactor in the Santa Suzanna Mountains, had occurred 20 years earlier — near Los Angeles. Now, all these years later — after decades of studies, reports and regulatory hearings by state and federal agencies, the radioactive residue from that accident has not been completely cleaned up.

Group Says Boeing Influenced State To Weaken Field Lab Cleanup

June 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>A consumer group charged Thursday that Boeing lobbyists persuaded the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to abandon a planned full cleanup of Boeing’s portion of the Santa Susana Field Lab, site of a 1959 partial nuclear meltdown.<br /> <br />

Report: Ex-Calif. Regulators Helped Boeing Derail Santa Susana Cleanup

June 5, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>SIMI VALLEY (CBSLA.com)</strong> — Former state regulators allegedly helped officials with Boeing derail the cleanup of a partial nuclear meltdown site in Simi Valley, according to a new report.</p>

Inside Job: How Boeing Fixers Captured Regulators And Derailed A Nuclear And Chemical Cleanup in LA’s Backyard

June 4, 2014  ·  Liza Tucker

This report is based on documents obtained via the Public Records Act, information provided by current and former insiders, community members, environmentalists and legislative staffers (some of whom asked to remain anonymous to protect their current positions), media…

Consumer Advocates Urge Court to Reject Proposed Hyundai/Kia MPG Settlement

June 4, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

A class action settlement negotiated by Hyundai and Kia following the companies’ 2012 admission that they low-balled fuel economy numbers for over a dozen 2011–2013...

Consumer Advocates Urge Court to Reject Proposed Hyundai/Kia MPG Class Action Settlement

June 3, 2014  ·  Harvey Rosenfield

A class action settlement negotiated by Hyundai and Kia following the companies’ 2012 admission that they lowballed fuel economy numbers for over a dozen 2011–2013 vehicles is structured to prevent consumers from collecting the money they are owed and should be rejected, consumer advocates told a federal court.

Kia, Hyundai Customers Object To Fuel-Economy Settlement

June 3, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Law360, New York (June 02, 2014, 2:11 PM ET) -- Dissident class members on Friday attacked a settlement resolving accusations that Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America overstated the fuel efficiency of more than 900,000 vehicles, saying the deal’s claims-made structure will unjustly curtail customer payouts.</p>

Attorneys Object To Proposed Settlement in Hyundai, Kia MPG Claims

June 2, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p>Several law firms are objecting to the proposed settlement of a class-action suit seeking damages for the inflated fuel economy claims of South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia.</p> <p>The attorneys said the settlement is designed to discourage owners of the vehicles from filing claims and then allows the automakers to keep any uncollected money.</p>

Class Action Waiver Renders Arbitration Clause In DIRECTV’s Customer Agreement Unenforceable

May 15, 2014  ·  Mark Reback

<p><strong>Imburgia v. DIRECTV Inc., No. B239361 (Cal. Ct. App. Apr. 7, 2014)</strong></p>

KABC TV-7 Los Angeles – Does A DirecTV AT&T Merger Mean Less Choice For Customers?

May 1, 2014  ·  Consumer Watchdog

<p>AT&T has approached DirecTV the largest satellite TV provider in the United States about an acquisition. Will this mean bad deals and less choice for the customer? KABC Los Angeles asks what could happen, if another monopoly is allowed to go through.</p>