Legislative, Regulatory & Legal

Minneapolis – Target Corp. has reportedly failed in its attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed by banks in federal court in Minneapolis. According to Reuters, the banks are seeking compensation in the millions of dollars for reimbursing consumers for fraudulent charges and issuing new payment cards in connection with the November 2013 security breach at Target.

A federal judge says several banks suing Target Corp. over its 2013 data breach have a plausible case for negligence and can proceed with the lawsuit.

New York - The City Council of Chiago has approved a boost in the minimum wage, gradually raising it to $13 an hour by 2019. The vote was pushed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel faces a reelection vote in February.

The plan raises Illinois' $8.25 rate – which is $1 higher than the federal rate – in small increments. It will get raised to $10 next year, and then increase by amounts of of 50 cents and $1. City officials estimate more than 400,000 Chicago workers will benefit.

Few people in the food industry know the name Denzel McGuire, but that’s about to change as she just became the industry’s best friend in the nation’s capital.

McGuire has been named EVP of government relations at the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which is a big deal considering the food industry is under relentless pressure and regulatory scrutiny. GMA needs a strong voice and a connected presence in the nation’s capital to represent the interests of its members and McGuire fits the bill on both fronts, according to GMA President and CEO Pam Bailey.

Washington, D.C. - The Alliance for Main Street Fairness (AMSF) launched a television advertising campaign to educate lawmakers on what is says is the imminent threat posed by China's online mega-retailer Alibaba as it enters the U.S. retail market. Retailers are asking the U.S. House of Representatives to join the U.S. Senate by passing e-fairness legislation that closes the online sales tax loophole this year.    

Atlanta - The Home Depot Inc. faces at least 44 lawsuits connected with a data breach that affected the retailer from April-September 2014. In a regulatory filing, the retailer said state and federal agencies are investigating the breach and more legal action is possible. The Home Depot also said ongoing breach-related investigation and litigation could affect operations and distract management, as well as incur additional unspecified costs and fines.

Iowa – Casey’s General Stores Inc. will revise its financial statements for fiscal years 2012, 2013 and 2014 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, due to a $31.5 million error in how it accounted for excise tax on sales of ethanol fuel.  

Atlanta – The Home Depot Inc. faces at least 44 lawsuits connected with a data breach that affected the retailer from April-September 2014. In a regulatory filing, the retailer said state and federal agencies are investigating the breach and more legal action is possible.