Archive for April 11, 2006

Class action suit brought against companies over benzene contaminated soda

Bellywashers, a popular kids' drink produced by In Zone Brands, and Polar Beverage's Diet Orange Dry are named in a class action lawsuit over benzene levels.

Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch employees charged

Stanislav Shpigelman, a junior-level investment banker at Merrill Lynch & Co. and Eugene Plotkin, a bond analyst at Goldman Sachs Group have been charged along with a third man in an insider trading ring that netted $6.7 million and involved more than a dozen people.

U.S. Marshals Seize Texas Star Casino Boat

On Friday, U. S. Marshals confiscated the Texas Star casino boat due to their alleged failure to pay an electrical company for services.

Skilling vows he's "Absolutely Innocent"

Jeffrey K. Skilling, former Enron executive and 10th defense witness to take the stand in a Houston courtroom, denied any wrongdoing regarding charges that he conspired to defraud Enron and its shareholders. He used strong language proclaiming that he was "absolutely innocent" and would fight any charges "until the day I die."

Lawsuits allege contaminated water led to employee illnesses

More than 35 former employees of a telecommunications plant in Lake Mary, Fla. say they were poisoned by contaminated water. The water was used for everything from making coffee to washing of hands.

Mercury in vaccines: how much is too much?

While state lawmakers are advocating that mercury be banned in vaccines, they are facing resistance from vocal health groups that receive money from pharmaceutical companies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Students hurt in West Virginia school bus crash file $10 million suit

WILLIAMSON, W.V. -- A $10 million lawsuit was filed this week against a landscaping firm on behalf of eight West Virginia students injured last week when a school bus was struck by a company truck.

Consumer group urges withdrawal of Xenical

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been petitioned to remove the prescription diet drug Xenical (orlistat) from the market. Public Citizen, a consumer watchdog group, filed the petition.

Scaffolding collapse kills 3; Incident mirrors 2003 tragedy

The recent scaffolding collapse in Boston that killed three people is the second of its kind for the manufacturer. Fraco Products Ltd. is already facing a $6 million lawsuit for a similar 2003 incident in New Jersey.