Police departments nationwide are warning about the dangers of playing “Pokémon Go.” From New York, where the first confirmed game-related serious car crash occurred http://www.businessinsider.com/first-car-crash-caused-by-pokemon-go-2016-7, to ambushes in Philly https://twitter.com/PPD35Dist/status/752302490666827776, law enforcement officials are reminding people who gotta catch ‘em all to use common sense. Their advice: Do not use the application when you are operating a motor vehicle or … [Read more...]

Story By Challen Stephens | cstephens@al.com Email the author | Follow on Twitter The lawsuit filed on behalf of affected Volkswagen owners in Alabama now adds Bosch to the list of defendants, claiming the software supplier knew what Volkswagen was doing to cheat emissions standards and assisted in duping the American public for eight years. "Instead of refusing to provide Volkswagen with the defeat devices that Bosch knew would enable Volkswagen to engage in criminal fraud, Bosch … [Read more...]

Less than four days after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) had designed some of its diesel models to cheat emissions tests, lawyers have brought at least 25 class actions on behalf of scores of car owners in all 50 U.S. states. Tony Mastando of Alabama's Mastando & Artrip sued on behalf of a friend who used to boast about her car's fuel economy. He said he and his partner have plenty more friends just like her. "These cars appealed to a … [Read more...]

The U.S. Department of Justice announced a record $5.69 billion in settlements and judgments from civil cases involving fraud and false claims against the government in fiscal year 2014. Of this total, the government paid out $435 million to the whistle blowers who exposed fraud and false claims by filing a qui tam complaint -- in 2014 alone. Growth In The Use Of The False Claims Act The number of qui tam suits rose from 30 in 1987, to 300 to 400 a year from 2000 to 2009, to more than 700 … [Read more...]

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler is circulating newly-minted draft rules for regulation of the Internet.   He proposes to use some old-school utility regulation to keep the large infrastructure companies (read:  cable and phone companies, like Comcast, Verizon and AT&T) from slowing down content on the Internet for their own competitive and monetary advantage. What this means in a practical sense is that companies like Comcast, which own the coaxial cable into people’s homes, wouldn’t be … [Read more...]

  Gas prices at the pump have dropped by half.  A year ago gasoline hovered around $4 per gallon in North Alabama -- now it’s crashed below the $2 mark.  Filling the tank has gotten a lot less painful, and I find myself driving more because of it.  Since the average US household uses around 1,000 gallons of gas per year, that equates to a “savings” of $2,000. So, what would you do with an extra $2,000?  I have a practical, driving-related suggestion for you – at least for just a few … [Read more...]

In Tony Mastando's presentation you'll learn the technical aspects you need to know about the False Claims Act. We've also included this simplified and helpful PSA video from TAF Education Fund to give you all the information you need about whistle blowing and your protections under the False Claims Act. Symposium Presentation On False Claims The North Alabama Chapter of the Federal Bar Association holds an annual symposium to increase awareness about legal issues in military defense … [Read more...]

Anyone with a fax machine or fax account has received them – ads for vacations in Orlando, Las Vegas or Cancun; the latest mortgage rates and refinancing options -- fabulous offers all!  Like autumn leaves, they fall from paper fax machines or clog the gutters of online fax accounts.  Some ads are legit.  Others, not so much. Junk Faxes Companies that send advertisements by fax, so-called “junk faxes,” to potential customers should pay close attention to the FCC’s latest rules.  Otherwise, … [Read more...]

January 22, 2010:  A 14-year-old girl was raped in the boys’ bathroom at Sparkman Middle school by an older boy with a history of sexual and violent misconduct. Prior to the rape, June Simpson, a teacher’s assistant, had reported to the Principal, Ronnie Blair, that the boy was asking girls to meet him for sex in the boys’ bathroom. Blair’s response was that nothing could be done to the boy unless he was “caught in the act.” Simpson told the girl to agree to meet with the boy so teachers could … [Read more...]