| Ethics breach alleged
The license of a St. Charles psychologist accused of practicing witchcraft on patients has been placed on probation because of claims that she lived with, traveled with, and engaged in social relationships with patients.Letitia Libman received the one-year license probation earlier this month, state records show. She may practice during that time, but she also must take ethics classes, meets with a supervisor, and follow other requirements set by the state to complete her probation.There are several pending lawsuits in Kane County, filed in 2005 and 2006, that accuse Libman of using witchcraft as therapy, making sexual advances on patients, and other inappropriate behavior. Libman, who once practiced at a St. Charles facility run by Delnor-Community Hospital, has denied the allegations.Attempts to reach Libman and her attorney, Richard Barrett, on Friday were unsuccessful.Libman’s probation began after a 60-day suspension when she could not practice, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
Lender faces class action suit
A St. Louis woman has filed a class action suit against Advance America, a major payday loan lender, accusing the company of predatory lending, according to a news release by Simon-Passanante P.C., a St. Louis law firm. The firm represents Cynthia Williams, the lead plaintiff, in this lawsuit, which was filed Monday in Cole County. .
Ex-official insists sex was behind dismissal
A former high-ranking state prison official who was fired for using inmates to set up a sorority party has filed a lawsuit claiming then-Commissioner Devon Brown used the incident to get back at her for rebuffing his sexual advances. Former Assistant Corrections Commissioner Carrie Johnson was cited in 2005 by the State Ethics Commission for approving her own use of inmates. The commission recommended she be fined as punishment. Brown decided instead to fire Johnson after 30 years of service. Johnson contends the decision was the culmination of a "relentless attack" on her "because she was a woman and because she avoided Devon Brown's inappropriate sexual advances," according to a civil lawsuit filed June 28 in state Superior Court in Trenton. It does not detail the alleged unwanted advances.
Parents sue Princeton schools alleging delay on action against teacher, coach
The parents of a John Witherspoon Middle School student who was the object of sexual advances from his teacher filed a lawsuit against the Princeton Regional School District in federal court claiming district officials failed to act for 81 days after they were noti fied about the teacher's behavior. The teacher, Kathleen Bowler, 29, who now lives in Rhode Island, was a long-term substitute at the school and taught a class called "modern living," similar to home economics during the 2004-05 school year and also coached boys' wrestling. Bowler, who was named as a defendant in the lawsuit, pleaded guilty to two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and was sentenced in April to a four-year suspended sentence. According to the lawsuit Bowler, who served as the head wrestling coach, did "touch, grope or grab" the eighth-grade boy's genitalia on Jan.
St. Louis woman files class-action suit against payday lender
A St. Louis resident has filed a class-action suit again Advance America, a major payday lender, accusing the company of predatory lending, according to a news release by Simon-Passanante P.C., a St. Louis law firm.
The firm represents Cynthia Williams, the lead plaintiff, in this lawsuit, which was filed Monday.
In the news release, the law firm said at the heart of the lawsuit is the allegation that Advance America systematically traps customers in loans they cannot repay by violating Missouri law.
The firm said the suit was filed against the Spartanburg, S.C.-based company and its subsidiaries Cash Advance Centers of Missouri, doing business as Advance America.
The company operates 2,900 cash advance stores in 37 states, about 82 of which are in Missouri.
Court: Cash advances violate law
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- A payday lending business violated Pennsylvania consumer law by providing loans of as much as $500 to people in return for 6 percent interest plus a $150 monthly fee, a state court ruled Tuesday. A Commonwealth Court panel agreed with the Banking Department's claim that fees charged by Advance America Cash Advance Centers exceeded limits of the state's Consumer Discount Company Act.
The Banking Department sued Advance America's parent company, NCAS of Delaware LLC, in September, three months after the company began offering the loan product.
The lawsuit called Advance America's $150 "monthly participation fee" an illegal and usurious sham.
The opinion issued Tuesday prevents Advance America from continuing to lend money or "collecting on lines of credit or loans currently outstanding in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania pursuant to the" violations of state law.
|
