Brianna Smith, Author at Legal Reader

Brianna Smith is a freelance writer and editor in Southwest Michigan. A graduate of Grand Valley State University, Brianna has a passion for politics, social issues, education, science, and more. When she’s not writing, she enjoys the simple life with her husband, daughter, and son.

Airmont Village Hit with Second Religious Discrimination Suit This Month

December 21, 2018

A federal lawsuit was recently filed by a group of Orthodox and Hasidic Jews over accusations that Airmont village officials are using “systemic discrimination by using their zoning and inspection powers to prevent the residents from practicing their religion.” According to the lawsuit, the village has a history of being “hostile toward religious Jews and tries to prevent residents from praying and holding services in their homes by delaying approvals for residential houses of worship, and by issuing building and zoning violations with daily fines of up to $1,000 and threats of jail.”

E. Coli Recall Expands to Include Cauliflower, Leafy Greens

December 20, 2018

Earlier this week, Adams Bros. Farming Inc., based in Santa Maria, California, issued a recall of cauliflower and green and red leaf lettuce “out of an abundance of caution.” According to the notice, the recalled produce was harvested between November 27 and November 30 and officials are concerned it may be “contaminated with E. Coli O157: H7.”

Jefferson County Public Schools Principal Files Gender Discrimination Lawsuit

December 20, 2018

A principal who works for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) filed a lawsuit against the school district after she endured years of “degrading behavior from a JCPS official as she worked to fix a nightmare of a school situation.” The suit was filed by Lawanda Hazard, the principal of Kerrick Elementary. In her lawsuit, Hazard alleges she endured “racial, gender, disability discrimination, and retaliation.” JCPS is listed as the sole defendant, though many of the allegations included in the suit involve Glenn Baete, “Hazard’s former assistant superintendent.”

Aurora Health Care Pays $12M to Settle Allegations that It Violated Federal Law

December 20, 2018

A $12 million settlement agreement was recently reached between Aurora Health Care and the federal and state governments. The settlement hopes to quell allegations that the healthcare facility “violated the federal anti-kickback law by paying excessive compensation to two cardiologists.” The federal anti-kickback law in question is known as the Stark Law and it “prohibits physicians from having a financial relationship with hospitals and other health care providers to whom they refer patients.” The law was designed with the hope that a “doctor’s referral is based on a medical judgment, not to make money.”

Bristol County Superior Courthouse, Taunton, Massachusetts

$450,000 Settlement Reached in Dispute Between Former Westport Auto Dealership and AG’s Office

December 19, 2018

A lawsuit filed by Attorney General Maura Healey’s office was recently settled against F&R Auto Sales and Francis Correiro. According to the suit, the auto dealership and Correiro “sold unsafe and defective vehicles between August 2012 and December 2016 when the business closed.” It also alleged that, in doing so, both parties violated “Massachusetts laws relating to used auto sales.” As a result of the settlement, the defendants will have to pay “$450,000 in restitution and penalties to resolve” the allegations.

Did Oakland Mall Profile and Discriminate Against Shoppers? One Lawsuit Thinks So.

December 18, 2018

Oakland Mall in Troy, Michigan, recently found itself at the center of a lawsuit. The suit was filed by a former security worker, David Niewolak, after he was allegedly “fired for refusing to enforce discriminatory policies, including racially profiling customers.” Niewolak was hired on as a lead dispatcher with Prudential Security for the mall back in 2015. Prior to being terminated in June, he had no “negative write-ups” or anything else on his record that would result in his sudden termination, according to the suit.

Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Abolishes Free Speech Zones in Lawsuit Settlement

December 17, 2018

A college student in Los Angeles filed a lawsuit against his school, arguing that it limited his “ right to free speech after it prevented him from passing out copies of the U.S. Constitution.” Fortunately for the student, Kevin Shaw, a court sided with him earlier last week when the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) agreed to settle the suit.

Family of Florida Woman Left for Dead During a Date Files Wrongful Death Suit

December 17, 2018

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed on Friday by the family of a woman who was allegedly left for dead during a date with a New York man she met on Tinder. According to the suit, the woman, Jennifer St. Clair, was riding on the back of a 2001 Harley Davidson Road King motorcycle with her date, Miles McChesney, and was left for dead. At the time of the incident, the two were on a date in Delray Beach, Florida. Prior to the incident, the couple spent time visiting friends in the area and McChesney drank heavily. Because of this, the suit argues that McChesney was impaired while driving his motorcycle.

Northwest Montana United Way and Loan Provider Settle Lawsuit

December 17, 2018

Summerfield Baldridge and Northwest Montana United Way recently agreed to settle a lawsuit the Whitefish man filed earlier this year against the United Way and Westside CCC Inc., “the corporation that holds the asset of a former mall property.” Baldridge provided the loan collateral that Northwest Montana United Way needed to “complete the $2.3 million purchase of Gateway Community Center in 2015.”

Waukee Community School District Agrees to Settle Suit Involving Former Bullied Student

December 14, 2018

There is never an excuse for bullying, especially in schools. Unfortunately, it happens and can often have a long-term effect of a person’s self-confidence and overall emotional health. One family with a student in Waukee Community School District even recently filed a lawsuit over the bullying their daughter endured at school. The student, Berkley Maschka, attended Waukee schools last year. According to the lawsuit, school administrators allegedly “failed to protect Berkley from ongoing bullying — and then assaulted the third-grader when she refused to go to her classroom.” As a result of the lawsuit, the family was recently awarded a “$150,000 settlement from the district.”

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