East News

Former New York Postal Worker Sentenced for Workers’ Comp Fraud

A former postal employee has been sentenced to serve three years on probation for workers’ compensation fraud. Christine O’Neill, 61, of Johnson City, New York, was sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Thomas J. McAvoy for defrauding the U.S. …

Judge Lets Massachusetts Claims Over Uber, Lyft Driver Classification Proceed

A Massachusetts judge on Thursday denied a bid to dismiss a lawsuit by the state’s attorney general challenging Uber’s and Lyft’s classification of drivers as independent contractors instead of employees entitled to sick time and other costly benefits. Suffolk County …

Chemical Site Cleanup on Maine River to Cost More Than $180M

A settlement that is pending approval from a federal judge would require the former owner of a shuttered chemical plant in Maine to spend more than $180 million to clean up mercury contamination. The settlement concerns the site of the …

New York Proposes Guidance for Insurers on Financial Risks of Climate Change

The New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) has issued proposed guidance for regulated insurers on managing the financial risks of climate change. The proposed guidance comes after a circular letter was issued by DFS on September 22, 2020. …

Disclosure Protections May Not Apply to Some Facebook App Records in Healey Probe

Facebook Inc. could be required to disclose some of its records identifying apps that allegedly misused customer data in a privacy investigation brought by state Attorney General Maura Healey. The Massachusetts Supreme Court found that some of Facebook’s app records …

People Moves: MEMIC’s Langlois, Merchants’ Makey Promoted; Camerino from Everest Re to Buckle

Langlois Promoted at The MEMIC Group Portland, Maine-headquartered workers’ compensation specialist The MEMIC Group has promoted Cameron Langlois to the role of MEMIC Express underwriter. In this role, Langlois will be responsible for developing the company’s Express book serving small …

Two Workers Injured in 30-Foot Fall Off Slippery Roof in Massachusetts

Two workers fell about 30 feet off the roof of a duplex under construction in Massachusetts early Friday and were flown to hospitals, authorities said The Mashpee Fire Department responded to the call around 8:30 a.m., Chief Thomas Rullo told …

Report Fuels More Debate on Connecticut Utility’s Storm Response

A draft report critical of a utility’s response to Tropical Storm Isaias has Connecticut lawmakers again calling for accountability. The report released late Friday by the state’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority concluded that Eversource’s preparations and response were inadequate and …

Derwart Named Deputy Commissioner of the Maryland Insurance Administration

Maryland Insurance Commissioner Kathleen A. Birrane has named Gregory M. Derwart as deputy commissioner of the Maryland Insurance Administration. Since July 2020, Derwart has served as chief of staff for the administration, acting as a strategic advisor to Birrane, directing …

New York Regulator Issues Second Enforcement Action Under Cyber Rules

The New York Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) second enforcement action to date under its cybersecurity regulation underscores the importance of promptly investigating potential cybersecurity events. It also raises questions about whether insurance coverage would be available for amounts paid …

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