California

California Woman Sues Metro Boomin, Accuses Him of Rape and Writing Song About the Assault

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Los Angeles — A California woman has sued hip-hop producer Leland “Metro Boomin” Wayne, alleging that he raped her in 2016 while she was unconscious and inspired contentious lyrics about the incident. The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by Vanessa LeMaistre, 38, who contends that she was assaulted after becoming acquainted with Wayne during a period of vulnerability following the death of her infant. According to the legal filings, LeMaistre met Wayne at a party in Las Vegas in spring 2016. Their friendship deepened as she confided in him about her grief … Read more

Former CEO Admits to Restrictive Deal to Block Rival’s Expansion in California Rebar Market During Antitrust Trial

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Washington, D.C. — In a dramatic turn of events during a federal antitrust trial on Monday, the former CEO of Commercial Metals Co. admitted that the company entered into a contentious agreement with Danieli Corp., a prominent micromill manufacturer. This agreement effectively prohibited Danieli from collaborating with any competing rebar mills in California soon after it was discovered that Pacific Steel Group intended to establish a facility in Southern California using Danieli’s technology. The revelation surfaced at the trial, which is scrutinizing the legality of the exclusivity provision that was brokered shortly after Commercial Metals … Read more

Walmart Agrees to $7.5 Million Settlement in California Over Allegations of Hazardous Waste Mismanagement

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Sacramento, CA — In a significant legal development last week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with district attorneys from multiple Bay Area counties, announced a $7.5 million settlement with retail giant Walmart. This resolution comes after the company was found to have improperly disposed of dangerous materials and medical waste in various landfills across the state. Investigators carried out more than 70 audits of Walmart’s waste procedures from 2015 to 2021, revealing improper disposal practices. These included the unsanctioned dumping of hazardous substances such as aerosols, spray paints, rust removers, bleach, pesticides, and over-the-counter … Read more

California Legislators’ Bill Success Varied by Party in Recent Session, Analysis Shows

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Over the recent two-year legislative period, the average lawmaker in Sacramento presented about 36 bills, with a third of those bills being enacted into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The political landscape, dominated by a Democratic supermajority, however, painted a different picture for Republican legislators whose proposed laws were less frequently passed. Gov. Newsom put his final stamp on the 2023-24 legislative session on September 30, having signed a significant number of bills into law. A breakdown by Chris Micheli, a lobbyist and adjunct professor at McGeorge School of Law and UC … Read more