Frosh seeks repeal of Md. license suspensions based on inability to pay
ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh on Wednesday called for repealing the state’s authority to suspend the driver’s licenses of motorists who fail to pay a traffic fine or fee because they lack the funds, saying such a suspension criminalizes poverty and forces low-income drivers to choose between missing work or tempting arrest […]
Global banks fined billions for market rigging
Traders with nicknames like the “Three Musketeers” and the “A-Team” plotted over Internet chat rooms to manipulate currency markets for years, profiting at the expense of clients — and then congratulating themselves for their brilliance — regulators said Wednesday, as they fined five banks $3.4 billion.
FAA proposes to fine Southwest Airlines $12M
The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it is proposing a $12 million civil fine against Southwest Airlines for failing to comply with safety regulations related to repairs on Boeing 737 jetliners.
Barclays, Goldman, Merrill fined $1 million each
The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority said Wednesday that it fined investment banks Barclays, Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch $1 million each for providing incomplete and inaccurate information about trades the companies conducted.
Legislation would create fines for violating Open Meetings Act
ANNAPOLIS — Del. Dan K. Morhaim, chairman of the Government Operations subcommittee, plans on introducing a bill to beef up the regulatory powers of the Open Meetings Compliance Board, allowing it to fine public bodies for illegally closing meetings. The civil penalties could be up to $1,000 for the first offense and up to $10,000 […]
U.S. seeks $162M in fines against AMR, American Air
DALLAS — Federal safety regulators are seeking up to $162.4 million in fines against American Airlines and its affiliates for alleged violations of U.S. safety standards going back several years. The sanctions would dwarf any previous penalties against an airline. Many of the investigations had not been disclosed until the Federal Aviation Administration filed documents […]
Capital One to pay $210M over marketing tactics
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration’s consumer watchdog agency flexed its enforcement muscles for the first time Wednesday and ordered Capital One Bank to repay millions of credit card customers allegedly tricked into buying costly add-on services. Capital One will pay $210 million in refunds and regulatory fines. Most of the money will go directly to […]
Supreme Court won’t hear ‘wardrobe malfunction’ appeal
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court decided Friday not to consider reinstating the government’s $550,000 fine on CBS for Janet Jackson’s infamous breast-baring “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl. The high court refused to hear an appeal from the Federal Communications Commission over the penalty. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals twice had thrown […]
Viridian fined $60K for consumer law breaches
The Maryland Public Service Commission has imposed a $60,000 civil penalty on Viridian Energy PA LLC, a Connecticut-based retail energy supplier, for consumer protection violations. The PSC said Viridian, which has more than 140,000 customers in Maryland, engaged in false, misleading and deceptive advertising and solicitations, including untrue statements about its relationship with utility compan[...]
AAA: D.C. traffic cameras revenue increasing
WASHINGTON — AAA Mid-Atlantic says the District of Columbia’s use of speed and red-light cameras brought in a record $55 million in fiscal 2011 and could generate even more revenue this year. The auto club said Thursday that the city has already issued about $40 million in automated enforcement tickets this fiscal year, which began […]
Prince George’s police giving $1 to drivers with seatbelts
BOWIE — Some police officers in Maryland will be out Thursday giving cash to drivers wearing their seatbelts. But beware: they may give you a ticket if you don’t. Prince George’s County police will be at Route 301 and Ballpark Drive in Bowie starting at noon watching passing vehicles. Officers and safety advocates will distribute […]
Top court to hear case challenging ACS’ cut of speed-camera revenue
Maryland’s top court has agreed to decide whether motorists can challenge Montgomery County’s speed-camera system, which is budgeted to bring in $10 million this fiscal year, on the grounds that it illegally gives the lead contractor a cut of the proceeds. Eight motorists, all of whom have paid fines for speed-camera citations, contend that ACS […]