News from May 2018
Miami attorney briefly suspended for allegedly failing to preserve trust funds in dispute
TALLAHASSEE — Miami attorney Daniel E. Tropp was briefly suspended earlier this year following an April 12 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations he mishandled trust funds, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Tampa attorney suspended following sentencing for insider trading
TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) – Tampa attorney Walter C. Little has been suspended indefinitely following an April 2 Florida Supreme Court order after he was sentenced in February for insider trading, a recent announcement by The Florida Bar said.
Former Prime Italian employee denied motion for class certification in his Uno Restaurant wage lawsuit
MIAMI – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in a May 21 ruling denied a motion for certification of a class filed by a former employee of Uno Restaurant Associates Inc., which does business as Prime Italian, as part of a Fair Labor Standards Act and minimum wage law action.
Delivery worker claims former employers refused to pay overtime
On May 18, a lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging that a man’s former employers owe him for several years of unpaid overtime for working an average of 90 hours a week and receiving just $8 per hour.
Coral Springs attorney voluntarily disbarred over misappropriation of funds, failure to provide services
TALLAHASSEE — Coral Springs attorney David Peter Ginzberg has been voluntarily disbarred following an April 19 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations that included misappropriation, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
Driver claims Orange County Sheriff officers illegally seized and destroyed his iPad
ORLANDO — A Florida resident is suing two Orange County Sheriff officers, alleging negligence and violation of his constitutional rights.
Orlando property owner accuses Florida Peninsula Insurance of failing to cover damage on home
ORLANDO — An Orlando property owner is suing Florida Peninsula Insurance Company, alleging breach of contract.
Former FSU, West Point attorney indefinitely suspended following conviction in child sex sting
TALLAHASSEE — Tallahassee attorney Dayton Michael Cramer, former deputy general counsel at Florida State University, has been indefinitely suspended following an April 3 Florida Supreme Court ruling after his conviction in March for trying to have sex with a 13-year-old girl.
Sistema Universitario Ana G. Memdez accused of age discrimination by former employee
ORLANDO — A former employee is suing Agmus Venture Inc., d/b/a Sistema Universitario Ana G. Memdez Inc., alleging age discrimination and a hostile work environment.
New state AG opioid lawsuits show diverging strategies, outside counsel pay scales
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - The latest wave of state lawsuits over the opioid crisis illustrates sharp differences emerging in how governments litigate these cases, both in whom they choose to sue and whether private lawyers stand to get a piece of the action.
State's campaign finance system allows opioid makers to donate to lawmakers, watchdog's research director says
Florida lawmakers received more than $1 million in donations from opioid drug companies in the last 20 years, according to a recent investigation by the Miami Herald.
Philip Morris, RJR hit with $21M verdict for smoker’s widow
Tobacco manufacturers face $21M in damages over smoker’s death
West Palm Beach woman files damage suit claiming that she was hospitalized against her will
WEST PALM BEACH – A West Palm Beach woman recently filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Children and Families' Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Florida Department of Health and several individuals claiming that she was imprisoned by various health professionals and deprived her right to liberty under the 14th Amendment.
Former Pollo Tropical worker claims age discrimination, retaliatory discharge
MIAMI – A Miami-Dade County woman filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Miami Division, against a Miami company claiming that she was a victim of retaliatory discharge under the Fair Labor Standards, the Florida Whistleblower Act and age discrimination under the Florida Civil Rights Act.
Argentine couple alleges $3 million loss in real estate Ponzi scheme
An Argentinian couple filed a complaint in the Southern Florida District Court on May 16 against multiple parties that the couple claims duped them into investing $300 million into real estate they never owned.
Lawsuits piling up following Parkland school shooting
Following the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, parents and other survivors are taking measures to prevent another massacre, including families suing gunmaker American Outdoor Brands, formerly Smith & Wesson, as well as the store that sold the shooter the weapon for alleged complicity in the shooting.
Tobacco companies say not liable for lung cancer of Cuban immigrant who began smoking long before arriving in US
Lawyers for two big tobacco companies defending themselves against charges that they were responsible for the lung cancer of an individual are arguing that a Cuban native began smoking long before he came to the United States and used their brands.
Liquor store customer alleges negligence led to knife attack
ORLANDO — A liquor store customer is suing Orlando business operators, alleging negligence led to the plaintiff suffering knife wounds.
Windemere property owner alleges insurer failed to pay for wind damage
CLEARWATER — A Windemere property owner is suing an insurance company, alleging breach of contract in refusing to apply payments for property damages.