AG sues dealership over excessive fees for black and Hispanic

AG sues dealership over excessive fees for black and Hispanic customers for add-ons

The attorney general’s office said it based its findings on an analysis of dealer records for 2016 through 2018.

“Jaffarian has consistently engaged in the same or substantially similar policies and practices since at least 2016,” reads the lawsuit, which was filed in Essex Superior Court.

In a statement released in response to the lawsuit, an attorney for Jaffarian said, “We strongly deny the allegations in this lawsuit … Jaffarian stands firmly against discrimination in any form.”

Jaffarian said it “never received a complaint from a customer alleging discrimination” and plans to “vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit … in court.”

Add-ons are usually sold after a customer has done it Negotiated a price to buy or lease a car and arrange financing if needed. At this point, the finance manager typically quotes prices for various add-ons — such as paint protection, key replacements, service contracts, and wheel and tire contracts — but customers “may not understand that these prices are negotiable,” the lawsuit states. Financial managers actually have “unlimited discretion” over add-on pricing.

“As a result, two consumers can be charged very different mark-ups for the same thing [add-on] product,” is written on the suit.

Auto dealerships generally make more money selling ancillary products than selling the car itself, the attorney general’s office said in the release. In addition, Jaffarian structures its compensation for finance managers to reward them for selling products at the highest prices, and calls on managers to “encourage consumers to buy more ancillary products and put higher premiums on those products.” , according to the lawsuit.

“The higher the premiums, the more a finance manager earns,” the suit reads.

“In these circumstances, Jaffarian is seeking disproportionately higher profits from Black and Hispanic consumers,” the lawsuit states.

“A highly unfair phenomenon in today’s market is price differentials based on the ethnicity of the buyer,” the lawsuit states. “Numerous studies show that these disparities are caused by allowing sellers discretion in pricing.”

The attorney general’s office says it investigated more than 2,000 add-on sales at Jaffarian. By analyzing customers’ first names, last names, and addresses, along with census data, the attorney general’s office was able to “determine the predicted race and ethnicity of each consumer,” the lawsuit states.

When selling add-ons to white customers, Jaffarian averaged about $1,000 in markup. But it was $1,500 for black customers and $1,380 for Hispanic customers.

The lawsuit alleges that Jaffarian “failed to provide guidance or audits to ensure fair, non-discriminatory treatment of its customers.”

“It has long been known that discretionary pricing policies, uncoupled with regular audits, training and other controls to prevent conscious or unconscious bias from influencing pricing decisions, lead to discrimination, particularly against consumers of color,” states in the lawsuit.

“Jaffarian knew or should have known that its pricing and remuneration policies, alone and in combination, were likely to result in unfair and discriminatory pricing that harmed consumers,” the lawsuit states.

The attorney general’s office says Jaffarian’s practices violate the state Consumer Protection Act and the Public Accommodations Act, which prohibit discrimination based on race, color and national origin in public places. In the lawsuit, Healey’s office is seeking an injunction blocking these practices, along with restitution and civil penalties.

“We applaud the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office for taking action to stop these troubling abuses,” said John Van Alst, prosecutor for the National Consumer Law Center, according to the press release. “NCLC research shows that discrimination in auto sales is widespread financial industry.”

Have a problem? Submit your consumer edition to [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @spmurphyboston.

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Draghi named Statesman of the Year by former Foreign Minister

Draghi named “Statesman of the Year” by former Foreign Minister Kissinger

by our correspondent in New York, Monica Guerzoni

The outgoing prime minister receives the World Statesman Award from the American Appeal of Conscience Foundation, chaired by Rabbi Arthur Schneier

Joe Biden’s compliments come on White House letterhead: “Congratulations to my friend Mario Draghi on winning the World Statesman Award for his work promoting human rights around the world.”

Biden thanks Draghi for his leadership

At the annual dinner of the American Appeal of Conscience foundation, chaired by Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the outgoing Italian Prime Minister is the guest of honor and Biden gives him strong praise: “Mario Draghi was a strong voice in promoting tolerance and justice, I thank him for his leadership “. The award to the “Statesman of the Year” is presented by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a politician and political scientist who has experienced and told a century of American and world history. Famous is the traumatic confrontation in Washington with Aldo Moro in 1974, when Kissinger tried to persuade the Italian statesman to abandon the project of a “historic compromise” between DC and PCI Almost half a century has passed.

The almost 100-year-old Kissinger presented the award

The former secretary of state, who will soon be a hundred years old, arrives at the Hotel Pierre in a wheelchair, watches the first part of the evening in silence on the tube TV in the same room where the Italian journalists then gather, enters the ballroom and sits on the right by Draghi to praise his “skills, courage and foresight”. The Prime Minister thanks Kissinger, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Rabbi Schneier in English, outlines the most important stages of his career in the light of the “importance of dialogue”, then speaks of the danger of a “new era of polarization” with the Russian invasion of Ukraine: «The question of how we deal with autocracies will determine our future for many years to come. We need openness, consistency and joint commitment ». It is the heart of Draghi’s speech, which is also applauded by John Elkann in the room.

The outgoing Prime Minister is confident, even optimistic

Italian PM urges his allies to defend core values ​​of Western societies, from democracy to respect for human rights: “Autocracies thrive on our hesitation. We must avoid ambiguities and not regret when it is too late ». Moscow has tried to split the allies, but Europe and the United States have remained “solid and united” in their support for Ukraine and must fight on until a peace deal is possible, until Russia comes to the spirit signed by the UN and the Principles returns in ’45. Draghi is confident, even optimistic. “The world today needs courage, clarity, hope and – he concludes offhand – love”.

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September 20, 2022 (Change September 20, 2022 | 07:41)

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More than 70 million Americans will benefit from increases in

More than 70 million Americans will benefit from increases in Social Security

More than 70 million people in the United States who are Social Security recipients will see their income improve starting next year. The adjustment for inflation in your monthly checks will be the largest in forty years. The actual figure for this economic surge will be announced on October 13th. This will happen as soon as the inflation data for September is known.

However, as discussed on the subject in August, the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment is expected to be 8.7%.

The Seniors’ Federal Group gave the calculation of this number as an estimate. It’s slightly lower than the August forecast, which was 9.6%. After the unveiling of these statistics, a small drop in inflation to 8.3% is noted.

However, if this forecast is maintained, the cost of living adjustment will be the largest since 1981. At that time the change was 11.2% due to the prevailing inflation.

More than 52 million older adults will benefit

Among the 70 million Americans who will benefit from the increased payment are 52.3 million adults age 65 and older.

Likewise, there is another, much larger group of people who receive disability benefits and supplemental security income.

The cost of living adjustment, known as COLA, is calculated each year using a formula established in federal law.

A measure of inflation known as the consumer price index for white-collar and municipal workers is used.

Social Security averages the resulting numbers in the third quarter of each year and compares them to the previous one.

More than 70 million Americans will benefit from increases in Social Security Read More »

Corona Virus Current Key Figures of the City of Vienna

Corona Virus: Current Key Figures of the City of Vienna


City of Vienna PID Press and Information Service logo

Status on September 19

Vienna (OTS) – The Vienna Health Authority and the Medical Crisis Management Team of the City of Vienna regularly provide information on the current number of cases and other important figures about the Covid 19 virus.

As of Monday, September 19, 2022, 1,133,120 positive tests have been confirmed in Vienna since the start of the pandemic. 1,113,365 people recovered. The number of deaths related to the virus remains unchanged at 4,227. The federal capital currently has 15,528 active cases.

Findings reported today include:
704 discoveries as of September 18, 2022
15 Discoveries of September 17, 2022
no discoveries as of September 16, 2022
no discovery as of September 15, 2022
no discovery from the days before

The 1450 health hotline received 1,210 calls.

Currently, 276 people are being treated at the hospital in Vienna for or with COVID-19. These are divided as follows:

COVID-19 patients in normal care at a COVID ward: 120
COVID-19 patients in normal care in a post-COVID ward: 95
COVID-19 patients in normal care on a COVID-free* ward: 40

COVID-19 patients in intensive care in a COVID ward: 8
COVID-19 patients in intensive care in a post-COVID ward: 13
COVID-19 patients in intensive care in a ward without COVID*: 0

* These patients are, on the one hand, SARS-CoV-2 positive hospital patients whose reason for admission is an underlying disease that has been so aggravated by a SARS-CoV-2 infection that hospital treatment has become necessary. On the other hand, these are hospital patients who are positive for SARS-CoV-2 whose original reason for admission is not related to COVID-19. These hospital patients also increase care and isolation costs due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Information for the population can also be obtained by calling the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) 0800 555 621. (Close)

Questions and contact:

Correspondence from the PID City Hall
Press and Information Service of the City of Vienna, editor on duty
Service for journalists, city editors
01 4000-81081
[email protected]
www.wien.gv.at/presse

Corona Virus: Current Key Figures of the City of Vienna Read More »

Understand how Queen Elizabeth IIs body can survive days without

Understand how Queen Elizabeth II’s body can survive days without a burial

British Queen Elizabeth in London.

British Queen Elizabeth in London.

Photo: Jackson, Pool via Portal/BM&C News

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8th and has yet to be buried. However, his funeral will take place this Monday (19). Understand how the Queen’s body survived the 11 days of ceremony and transport.

The monarch’s body remains sealed during Elizabeth II’s funeral ritual in the coffin, which is made of English oak and lined with lead made 30 years ago. This method is called “Lead Shell and Box”.

The English newspaper The Telegraph reported that it is a simple inner coffin made of wood, covered with lead and then placed in an outer coffin, explains the English newspaper The Telegraph.

This prevents oxygen and moisture from entering the coffin, creating an airtight environment that prevents bacteria, fungi and viruses from multiplying. The coffin of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh was commissioned 30 years ago.

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place at Windsor Castle in the King George VI Memorial Chapel, alongside her father whom the chapel’s name honors and her husband, Prince Philip, who died in April 2021.

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Phoebe Burgess clutches a cherry flavored vape while waiting for

Phoebe Burgess clutches a cherry flavored vape while waiting for a coffee

She’s become quite the glamorous fashion influencer in recent years following her split from NRL star Sam Burgess.

So it was surprising to see Phoebe Burgess holding a $30 disposable cherry-flavored vaporizer as she walked out for a coffee in elegant Bellevue Hill, Sydney on Tuesday.

The mother of two, 33, held an IGET Bar Vape, which packs 3500 hits per device, under her iPhone.

Phoebe Burgess was spotted holding a $30 disposable cherry-flavored vaporizer in elegant Bellevue Hill, Sydney on Tuesday.

Phoebe Burgess was spotted holding a $30 disposable cherry-flavored vaporizer in elegant Bellevue Hill, Sydney on Tuesday.

It comes after Phoebe got her first tattoo at an event earlier this month.

The former WAG took part in the CAMILLA x Robbie Williams collaboration alongside MAFS star Cameron Merchant and Imogen Anthony.

Phoebe nervously sat down and prepared for her first tattoo, showing the artist the design she wanted over her phone – a dainty rose.

It comes after Phoebe got her first tattoo at an event earlier this month while attending the CAMILLA x Robbie Williams collaboration alongside MAFS star Cameron Merchant and Imogen Anthony

It comes after Phoebe got her first tattoo at an event earlier this month while attending the CAMILLA x Robbie Williams collaboration alongside MAFS star Cameron Merchant and Imogen Anthony

Phoebe nervously sat down and prepared for her first tattoo, showing the artist the design she wanted over her phone - a dainty rose

Phoebe nervously sat down and prepared for her first tattoo, showing the artist the design she wanted over her phone – a dainty rose

The single mom smiled as she rolled up her dress sleeve as the artist inspected the tiny piece.

He then drew the design onto her forearm with a red marker.

Phoebe didn’t seem too phased as the tattoo gun pierced her skin.

The process was over in minutes as the podcast host sat back to show off a small fine line tattoo of a rose.

Phoebe turned heads on the night in a chic gown in a $900 pale pink and black button-through Camilla dress.

He then drew the design onto her forearm with a red marker

He then drew the design onto her forearm with a red marker

The process was over in minutes as the podcast host sat back to show off a small fine line tattoo of a rose

The process was over in minutes as the podcast host sat back to show off a small fine line tattoo of a rose

Phoebe sat down and prepared for her first tattoo by showing the artist the design she wanted over her phone She smiled nervously as the artist drew the design onto her forearm

Phoebe looked nervous as she sat down and prepared for her first tattoo

Phoebe turned heads on the night in a chic gown in a $900 pale pink and black button-through Camilla dress

Phoebe turned heads on the night in a chic gown in a $900 pale pink and black button-through Camilla dress

She paired the look with a thick white belt and a pair of $1000 black knee-high stiletto boots, also Camilla.

She flashed her yellow and white gold Cartier love bracelets, both worth more than $6,450.

Meanwhile, an already heavily tattooed Imogen Anthony sat in the pop-up salon to add another piece to her collection.

She flashed her yellow and white gold Cartier love bracelets, both worth more than $6,450

She flashed her yellow and white gold Cartier love bracelets, both worth more than $6,450

The former Big Brother star, who previously dated radio tycoon Kyle Sandilands, ditched her Camilla shift to get inked on the back of her left arm.

She looked confident as she chatted to fellow partygoers while the tattoo artist prepped her arm for the small design.

The 31-year-old model had the outline of a cowboy hat just above her “sad but true” tattoo and looked a lot like the hats she’s sported in recent racy Instagram posts.

Meanwhile, an already heavily tattooed Imogen Anthony sat in the pop-up salon to add another piece to her collection

Meanwhile, an already heavily tattooed Imogen Anthony sat in the pop-up salon to add another piece to her collection

The former Big Brother star, who previously dated radio tycoon Kyle Sandilands, ditched her Camilla shift to get inked on the back of her left arm

The former Big Brother star, who previously dated radio tycoon Kyle Sandilands, ditched her Camilla shift to get inked on the back of her left arm

Phoebe’s bold more comes after she revealed she hasn’t had sex with anyone “in a very long time” following her split from husband Sam Burgess.

She admitted she needs “maintenance” in relationships, especially when it comes to texting a significant other.

Phoebe opened up about her sex life as she spoke about polyamory and open relationships with makeup artist Max Sorrento and sex coach Georgia Grace.

She looked confident as she chatted to fellow partygoers while the tattoo artist prepped her arm for the small design

She looked confident as she chatted to fellow partygoers while the tattoo artist prepped her arm for the small design

The 31-year-old model had the outline of a cowboy hat just above her The hat illustration looked very similar to the hats she wore in recent racy Instagram posts

The 31-year-old model had the outline of a cowboy hat just above her “sad but true” tattoo and looked a lot like the hats she’s sported in recent racy Instagram posts

The mother-of-two said on her way to recording the podcast, she was embarrassed when someone overheard her listening to Georgia’s podcast on sex and orgasms for “research.”

“I was listening to your podcast on the way home and Georgia’s voice was booming on the radio and your voice was saying, ‘People don’t come to me for tips on how to have 10 orgasms a day,'” Phoebe explained.

“And I thought, ‘It’s research!’ It was one of those moments where I thought, “Why are we so weird about sex?”

She added, laughing, “I wanted to say, ‘It’s okay, I haven’t had an orgasm from anyone in a very long time and this is definitely not about me.'”

It comes after Phoebe revealed she hasn't had sex with anyone

It comes after Phoebe revealed she hasn’t had sex with anyone “for a very long time” following her split from husband Sam Burgess (pictured here).

Phoebe has described herself as “high-maintenance” when it comes to dating.

“I’m very high maintenance when someone’s dating me, not when someone’s hanging out with me, I’m very laid back,” she said.

“But I like to know if I text, I get a text back. So how do you find time for the three of me?’ She asked Max, who was in an open relationship.

Phoebe previously confessed on her podcast that she emerged from her cocoon as a “horny butterfly” after years of not dating.

Phoebe’s ex-husband Sam, 33, appeared on the final season of SAS Australia where he admitted being unfaithful to a woman in Melbourne in 2017.

The couple married in 2015, separated in late 2018 and resumed dating in early 2019.

They separated for good on October 2 of that year and later divorced. The former couple share daughters Poppy, four, and Billy, two.

Former Rabbitohs star Sam, 33, admitted cheating on Phoebe during their marriage during his appearance on SAS Australia

Former Rabbitohs star Sam, 33, admitted cheating on Phoebe during their marriage during his appearance on SAS Australia

Phoebe Burgess clutches a cherry flavored vape while waiting for a coffee Read More »

GF Vip Signorini addresses Belen And Spinalbese immediately starts an

“GF Vip”, Signorini addresses Belen. And Spinalbese immediately starts an excavation

The long-awaited moment has already arrived: the famous red door has opened to greet you Cast of Big Brother Vip 7, always directed by Alfonso Signorini and his two new commentators, Sonia Bruganelli and Orietta Berti. Among the most anticipated characters was of course Antonino Spinalbese, the ex-boyfriend of Belen Rodriguez. The host gave him a warm welcome and didn’t miss the opportunity to bring up the gorgeous Argentine showgirl.

GF Vip 7, the entry of Antonino Spinalbese

Despite his promise to keep the entire cast (with a few minor exceptions) secret until the first episode of GF Vip 7, Alfonso Signorini was forced to do so give in to a “draft” that ruined the surprise. But the reality show’s debut was exciting nonetheless: the host immediately played one of his strongest cards and decided to let in Antonino spinal broom as the second competitor, immediately after a wonderful and very aggressive Cristina Quaranta. Many were waiting for this moment, mainly to understand how the issue of Belen would be handled – and to know if he had decided to act on it.

So, after airing the Spinal broom presentation clip (which apparently mentions his history with Rodriguez), the former hairdresser arrived on the famous catwalk, ready to enter the most spied house in Italy. While he was waiting to cross the threshold, Signorini wanted to talk to him a little. “I saw that you never mentioned Belen, I think on purpose,” the conductor began, immediately diving into the most sensitive subject – “but I’m taking advantage of it because she’s watching us right now, we spoke to her yesterday. Hello Belen, a kiss! I think she’ll still cheer for you.”

Antonino, unmoved by Alfonso Signorini’s words, took the ball for a little dig: “Say hello to my daughter more than anything!” – he replied, as if wanting to close the chapter on his ex-girlfriend immediately. The hint happens, the moderator changes the subject: “Definitely You will miss Luna Marì, but I know that you wanted to enter the house also and especially for her”. And after another exchange of pleasantries, Spinalbese was finally able to make his entry into GF Vip.

GF Vip 7, the reaction of Belen Rodriguez

In the past few weeks, when the first rumors about the possible presence of Antonino Spinalbese In the cast, Belen Rodriguez hadn’t responded particularly enthusiastically. In fact, according to rumors, he took an interview with his ex-boyfriend rather badly, in which he spoke both about his participation in the GF Vip and about the return of the flame between the Argentine showgirl and Stefano De Martino. In short, how will he have reacted to this?Spinalbese’s entry into the Cinecittà house?

Although he was raised directly by Alfonso Signorini, the beautiful Rodriguez he preferred to remain silent. No messages on his Instagram profile, no revealing comments: at least for the moment his line seems very clear. But inevitably we will talk about them againin the next few months, and maybe he’ll have the opportunity to explain himself – maybe the conductor can even organize one of his famous meetings that have brought us great surprises in recent seasons.

“GF Vip”, Signorini addresses Belen. And Spinalbese immediately starts an excavation Read More »

Fake video by JN shows Bolsonaro ahead in Ipec poll

Fake video by ‘JN’ shows Bolsonaro ahead in Ipec poll Rede Brasil Atual

São Paulo A fake video is circulating on social media with scenes from Jornal Nacional, on Rede Globo, in which President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) would be at the forefront in a poll published by Ipec (formerly Ibope) last Monday (13) . The rigged scenes show Bolsonaro leading the presidential race in the institute’s last four polls, ranging between 44% and 46% of voting intentions. Former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on the other hand, appears in second place with fluctuations between 32% and 31%. In fact, the graphics have been manipulated and inverted. In the poll released last week, Lula emerges at 46%, beating other opponents who collectively score 44%.

The video, which has thousands of interactions (likes, comments and shares) on Facebook, uses audio editing and image manipulation techniques to distort the data. The introduction to the research disclosure also uses a technology known as deep fake, which manipulates presenter Willian Bonner’s speech as if he were saying Bolsonaro’s name instead of Lula, and vice versa.

Likewise, the manipulated video shows Bolsonaro leading the race in the second round, ranging between 50% and 53% of voting intentions. These figures also relate to Lula’s voting intentions. The indices allegedly achieved by the PT, which fluctuate between 35% and 37%, are in fact those of Bolsonaro, according to Ipec.

Ipec publishes new research on the presidential race on Monday evening (19).

fake review

In addition to electoral intentions, the manipulated video also lies about the president’s assessment. In it, Bolsonaro is rated “great or good” by 45%. In fact, 45% are the proportion of voters who see the current government as “bad or terrible”. The 30% who rate the government as “great or good” have been manipulated into “normal”. In the same way, the 23% who see the government as regular was changed to bad or terrible.

In the fake video, the lines of the graph depicting voters’ assessment of Bolsonaro’s style of government were also inverted. The 59% who “disapproved” Bolsonaro’s behavior became “approved”. In contrast, the 35% who “agree” appear as “disagree” in the manipulated images as well as in the data narrative.

rejections

The editors Fato ou Fake from the g1 portal and UOL Confere pointed out the video as fake. Ipec also released a statement that it had reported the manipulated material to the Superior Electoral Court’s (TSE) Disinformation Alert System Against Elections and the Electoral Public Ministry (MPE). The institute therefore expects the enactment of “appropriate measures” against the dissemination of incorrect information.

“The video circulating on social networks and WhatsApp groups is false, in which President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) appears with 46% of the voting intentions and former President Lula of the PT with 31%, according to data from Ipec and with pictures by Jornal Nacional, by TV Globo. The poll released on September 12 shows the opposite: Former President Lula leads the dispute with 46% of voting intentions, followed by Bolsonaro with 31%,” IPEC said.

Check out the fake video:

Fake video by ‘JN’ shows Bolsonaro ahead in Ipec poll Rede Brasil Atual Read More »