Afternoon Briefs: Law firm agrees to solicitation settlement; judge is accused of funds theft
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Law firm to pay nearly $1M to drivers it solicited from crash reports
Utah-based law firm Craig Swapp & Associates will pay nearly $1 million to thousands of Washington drivers it solicited as clients after buying crash reports from the state police. A federal judge in Washington gave preliminary approval to the class action settlement late last year. The suit had claimed that the law firm violated a federal law protecting the privacy of motorists. (The Spokesman-Review)
Judge is accused of stealing from nonprofit and county
The chief magistrate judge in Pickens County, Georgia, was arrested Wednesday for alleged theft following an investigation into spending on the county credit card. The judge, Allen Wigington, is accused of taking funds to pay personal debts from a nonprofit group where he was treasurer and then taking funds from the magistrate’s office to reimburse the nonprofit. He is charged with theft, violation of oath, and unauthorized use of a financial transaction card. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, press release)
Judge orders Johnson & Johnson to pay nearly $344M in pelvic mesh case
A San Diego judge has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay nearly $344 million in penalties in a suit alleging that the company misrepresented the risks of complications from its pelvic mesh products, used to treat urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse in women. Judge Eddie Sturgeon said Johnson & Johnson didn’t fully disclose the risks of loss of sexual function, chronic pain, and permanent urinary or defecatory dysfunction. The suit was filed in 2016 by California’s Department of Justice. (The Times of San Diego, California attorney general press release)
Cooley offers customized mental health with app
Cooley is expanding its wellness program with an app that offers personalized mental health resources for lawyers and staff. Cooley is partnering with the digital platform Modern Health to offer the program. Participants will get a coach and resources that include licensed therapists, self-assessments, digital programs and audio therapy. (The American Lawyer)
