Compliance & Ethics

H&R Block, a household name when it comes to tax season, has found itself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The company recently settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for $7 million, after being accused of misleading advertising and leaving frustrated customers in its wake. While the fine may seem like a drop in the bucket for a company of H&R Block’s size, the bigger story here is the shift in how tax prep companies might approach consumer relationships and compliance moving forward.

Small business set-aside programs are meant to give the little guys a fighting chance in the competitive world of government contracting. But for one Virginia company, bending the rules to snag those contracts came with a hefty price tag.

In a move that feels long overdue for millions of Americans, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has delivered a game-changing ruling. Medical debt is officially out of credit reports. Yes, those maddening medical bills you didn’t realize you owed—or thought were covered by insurance—can no longer tank your credit score.

In a historic move, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has hit three major oil companies—XCL Resources Holdings, LLC (XCL), Verdun Oil Company II LLC (Verdun), and EP Energy LLC (EP)—with a $5.6 million fine. The fine settles allegations that the companies violated antitrust laws through illegal coordination before a merger, a practice known as “gun jumping.” This marks the largest penalty ever imposed for such a violation in U.S. history.

Imagine buying your dream home—a manufactured haven meant to provide stability and shelter for your family. Now imagine that dream slipping away, month by month, as you struggle to make payments, juggling necessities like food, healthcare, and basic living expenses. For many families, this isn’t just a nightmare; it’s their reality, and according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Vanderbilt Mortgage & Finance is to blame.

When it comes to scientific research, the stakes are high. For Athira Pharma Inc., a biotech firm headquartered in Bothwell, Washington, the fallout from allegations of research misconduct has culminated in a $4 million settlement with the federal government. At the heart of the matter is a breach of trust—both with federal funding agencies and the public—that underscores just how vital transparency is in the pursuit of scientific progress.

In the past 24 hours, two government contractors have agreed to settle False Claims Act (FCA) allegations with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), paying a combined total of more than $16 million. These cases shed light on fraudulent practices that undermined the integrity of government procurement processes, leaving taxpayers footing the bill for inflated costs.