Attorney General Douglas J. Peterson today announced a $125 million, 48-state settlement with Cephalon and affiliated companies (“Cephalon”). The settlement ends a multistate investigation into anticompetitive conduct by Cephalon to protect the monopoly profits it earned from its landmark wakefulness drug, Provigil.  Cephalon’s conduct delayed generic versions of Provigil from entering the market for several years. 

Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson today announced a settlement with Florida-based businesses United Business Services, LLC and Corporations Filing Service, LLC, as well as their principals James L. Beard and Sean M. Shaughnessy, resolving an investigation and lawsuit which focused on the operation of a postcard mailing campaign and related telephone support. Nebraska entities were solicited to purchase labor law posters and certificates of existence, but the State alleged the Defendants falsely represented that business entities needed to obtain these products in order to comply with state and federal law and to avoid fees or penalties.  Furthermore, the State alleged that the postcards intentionally appeared as though they originated from an official governmental entity, which they did not, and that the postcards were sent from a local address in Lincoln, Nebraska, which they were not.

Today, Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson announced a settlement with Gage County based B & B Communications, Inc. and its principals, resolving an investigation which focused on the alleged operation of multiple pyramid schemes, through websites such as 2x2successteam.com, financialfitnessclub.com (formerly guaranteed50kin30days.com), ffcbridge.com, privatemillionairesclub.com, bandbonlineads.com (formerly onlineweathteam.com), and bandbsuccessclub.com.

Attorney General Doug Peterson is issuing a nationwide consumer alert regarding spoofed phone calls. This morning, callers from across the nation reported phone calls appearing to be from the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. In most of the reports, consumers have a missed phone call and no voicemail from (402) 471-2683, which is one of the phone numbers of the Attorney General’s Office. One consumer who answered the call reported that the scammer was attempting to sell him car insurance. Another report indicated the scammer claimed to be with “The Attorney General’s Office” and wanted to discuss “urgent matters”.

Attorney General Doug Peterson today announced a settlement requiring Volkswagen to pay almost $570 million for violating state laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive trade practices by marketing, selling and leasing diesel vehicles equipped with illegal and undisclosed defeat device software. This agreement is part of a series of state and federal settlements that will provide cash payments to affected consumers, require Volkswagen to buy back or modify certain VW and Audi 2.0-liter diesel vehicles, and prohibit Volkswagen from engaging in future unfair or deceptive acts and practices in connection with its dealings with consumers and regulators.  

Nebraska residents who purchased electronic books (E-books) should begin receiving account credits or checks on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, as a result of the successful prosecution of a price-fixing case against Apple, Inc. Apple paid $400 million in nationwide consumer compensation after the United States Supreme Court denied Apple’s request to review the decision of a lower court finding Apple had violated antitrust laws.

Following the widespread destruction caused by tornados, flooding and hail in Nebraska Monday evening, Attorney General Doug Peterson is warning residents that home repair and cleanup frauds are especially common after natural disasters hit. Unfortunately, these storms tend to attract con artists and criminals who are hoping to take advantage of distressed car and homeowners.