Federal Regulatory Agencies
Here's a look at documents from federal regulatory agencies
Featured Stories
Walmart to Pay $230,000 to Deaf Applicant in EEOC Disability Hiring Discrimination Suit
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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Walmart to Pay $230,000 to Deaf Applicant in EEOC Disability Hiring Discrimination Suit
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Global retail giant also agrees to provide sign language interpreter list at Decatur, Illinois store
CHICAGO - Walmart agreed to pay $230,000 and furnish other relief to settle a disability hiring discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
According to the EEOC's suit, a deaf applicant applied online for a stocking
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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Walmart to Pay $230,000 to Deaf Applicant in EEOC Disability Hiring Discrimination Suit
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Global retail giant also agrees to provide sign language interpreter list at Decatur, Illinois store
CHICAGO - Walmart agreed to pay $230,000 and furnish other relief to settle a disability hiring discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
According to the EEOC's suit, a deaf applicant applied online for a stockingposition at a Walmart in Decatur, Illinois. When an associate responsible for screening applicants from Walmart reached out to him to set up an interview, the deaf applicant requested an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. Walmart's screener said she would work on getting the interpreter but failed to follow up, even after he called back again to check on the status of his interview. Instead, three other hearing applicants were hired for the stocking position around the same time, and Walmart never contacted the deaf applicant again.
"This is an outstanding result for our litigation efforts," said acting EEOC General Counsel Catherine L. Eschbach. "The EEOC remains committed to holding employers accountable and protecting the rights of applicants with disabilities from discrimination in the hiring process, including the right to a reasonable accommodation, such as an ASL interpreter for a job interview. This type of relief is particularly important because it is how we keep the workforce accessible to persons with disabilities, who can be valuable and productive employees when the door is open to them."
The company's alleged conduct violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois (EEOC v. Walmart Stores, Inc., and Walmart Stores East, LP, Civil Action No. 21-cv-02080) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.
The district court rejected Walmart's motion for summary judgment, and the case was set for trial in June 2026.
In addition to the monetary relief, the consent decree settling the suit provides that Walmart in Decatur is enjoined from failing to provide reasonable accommodation to applicants in the future. The Decatur store must keep a contact list of ASL interpreters posted in the store, and those in the Decatur store involved with the hiring process must undergo training on how to accommodate deaf applicants and employees.
For more information on disability discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/disability-discrimination.
The EEOC's Chicago District Office has jurisdiction over Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and North and South Dakota, with additional offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.
The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. For public sector employers, the EEOC shares jurisdiction with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division. The EEOC also is responsible for coordinating the federal government's employment antidiscrimination effort. More information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/walmart-pay-230000-deaf-applicant-eeoc-disability-hiring-discrimination-suit
SEC Charges 2 Firms, Investment Adviser, Their Principals for Their Roles in Alleged Fraudulent Investment Scheme Involving Purported High-Yield Investment Programs
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 1:26-cv-23237; S.D. Fla. filed May 7, 2026):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Reign Financial International, LLC, et al., No. 1:26-cv-23237 (S.D. Fla. filed May 7, 2026)
On May 7, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Reign Financial International, LLC, Reign Financial International, Inc. (together, "Reign"), their principals, Giorgio Johnson and Gary Mills; Florida resident, Patrick Allen; and Berone Capital, LLC, and its principals, Jeremiah Beguesse and Fabian
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Securities and Exchange Commission issued the following litigation release (No. 1:26-cv-23237; S.D. Fla. filed May 7, 2026):
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Securities and Exchange Commission v. Reign Financial International, LLC, et al., No. 1:26-cv-23237 (S.D. Fla. filed May 7, 2026)
On May 7, 2026, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Reign Financial International, LLC, Reign Financial International, Inc. (together, "Reign"), their principals, Giorgio Johnson and Gary Mills; Florida resident, Patrick Allen; and Berone Capital, LLC, and its principals, Jeremiah Beguesse and FabianStone, for their roles in connection with an alleged fraudulent investment scheme involving three purported high-yield investment programs ("HYIPs") that raised over $26 million from at least 31 investors. Reign, Johnson, and Mills consented to the entry of a judgment, subject to court approval, that would resolve the SEC's litigation as to them.
According to the SEC's complaint, the scheme involved three similar fraudulent HYIPs in which Reign, Johnson, Mills, and Allen enticed investors with promises of outsized short-term profits with little or no risk to their principal, claiming that investor funds would be used to source opaque financial instruments involving leverage through European banks. The complaint alleges that, in reality, the HYIPs did not exist, many investors lost their principal, and no investors received any profits. In addition, the complaint alleges Allen, Reign, Johnson, and Mills misappropriated some of the investor funds. The complaint further alleges Berone, Beguesse, and Stone violated their fiduciary duties and the terms of the governing documents of the hedge fund they managed, which held HYIP investor proceeds, by misappropriating fund assets for their own personal use and benefit, including spending on jewelry, luxury cars, and private jet travel.
The SEC's complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, charges Reign, Johnson, Mills, and Allen with violating Section 17(a)(1) and (3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5(a) and (c) thereunder. The complaint also charges Reign, Johnson, and Mills with aiding and abetting Allen's violations. Additionally, the complaint charges Berone, Beguesse, and Stone with violating Section 206(1) and 206(2) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Without admitting or denying the SEC's allegations, Reign, Johnson, and Mills consented to the entry of a judgment, subject to court approval, in which they agreed to be permanently enjoined from future violations of the applicable provisions of the federal securities laws, conduct-based injunctions, a permanent officer and director bar against Johnson, disgorgement totaling $1,116,650, prejudgment interest totaling $372,420, and civil penalties totaling $1,116,650.
The SEC's investigation was conducted by Jason Anthony, Michael Flanagan, and Zachary Scrima and was supervised by Paul Pashkoff and Pei Y. Chung. The SEC's litigation will be led by Jennifer Farer and supervised by David Nasse.
The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has issued investor alerts on the red flags of investment fraud. Additional information is available on Investor.gov.
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Resources
* SEC Complaint (https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/litreleases/2026/comp26552.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26552-0
Magnera Corporation to Pay $130,000 in EEOC Disability Suit
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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Magnera Corporation to Pay $130,000 in EEOC Disability Suit
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Global manufacturer of plastic packaging products settles lawsuit alleging it denied employee an accommodation and fired her because of her disability
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Magnera Corporation, formerly known as Berry Global, Inc., a Fortune 500 global manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging products headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, will pay $130,000 and provide other relief to settle a disability discrimination
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release:
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Magnera Corporation to Pay $130,000 in EEOC Disability Suit
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Global manufacturer of plastic packaging products settles lawsuit alleging it denied employee an accommodation and fired her because of her disability
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -Magnera Corporation, formerly known as Berry Global, Inc., a Fortune 500 global manufacturer and marketer of plastic packaging products headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, will pay $130,000 and provide other relief to settle a disability discriminationlawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
According to the EEOC's lawsuit, in January 2022, Berry Global discriminated against an employee at its Old Hickory, Tennessee location by requiring her to produce a doctor's release clearing her to return to work after she took approved personal time off. Although the company's onsite certified physician assistant cleared the employee to return to work, the human resources manager demanded the employee complete family medical leave paperwork even though she had not requested medical leave. The company fired the employee when she could not produce the requested paperwork, the EEOC said.
Later, during her deposition, the human resources manager testified that it was a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) as well as the company's attendance policy to require the employee to produce a doctor's release clearing her to return to work after she took approved personal time off.
"The EEOC commends Magnera Corporation's willingness and commitment toward resolving this lawsuit and implementing measures to protect the rights of its employees with disabilities," said Faye Williams, regional attorney for the EEOC's Memphis District Office.
Such alleged conduct by an employer violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, absent undue hardship. The EEOC filed its suit (EEOC v. Berry Global, Inc., Case No. 3:24-cv-01085) in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its administrative conciliation process.
Delner Franklin-Thomas, director of the EEOC's Memphis District Office, said, "Disability discrimination remains a persistent problem in the American workplace. We are pleased that Magnera Corporation's measures will go a long way toward preventing such discrimination."
Besides monetary damages for the employee, the four-year consent decree settling the suit enjoins Magnera Corporation from engaging in any employment practices which discriminate against an employee on the basis of their disability in the future. The company must engage in the required interactive process to discuss reasonable accommodations as defined by the ADAAA. The company is also enjoined from terminating any employee for disability-related absence without considering a reasonable accommodation.
The decree also requires Magnera Corporation to conduct annual training for its human resources personnel and supervisory staff involved in employment decisions at the Old Hickory, Tennessee facility on measures to prevent disability discrimination, including an explanation of the ADAAA, its prohibition against discrimination based on employee's disability or perceived disability, and responding to requests for accommodation.
For more information on disability discrimination, please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc-disability-related-resources.
The EEOC's Memphis District Office has jurisdiction over Tennessee, Arkansas, and 17 counties in Northern Mississippi.
The EEOC is the sole federal agency authorized to investigate and litigate against businesses and other private sector employers for violations of federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. For public sector employers, the EEOC shares jurisdiction with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division. The EEOC also is responsible for coordinating the federal government's employment antidiscrimination effort. More information about the EEOC is available at www.eeoc.gov.
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Original text here: https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/magnera-corporation-pay-130000-eeoc-disability-suit
Lead Defendants in the IM Mastery Academy MLM Scheme to Turn Over Tens of Millions of Dollars in Assets to Settle FTC Charges
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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Lead Defendants in the IM Mastery Academy MLM Scheme to Turn Over Tens of Millions of Dollars in Assets to Settle FTC Charges
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The Federal Trade Commission and State of Nevada will require five individual and corporate IM Mastery Academy defendants, including ringleaders Chris and Isis Terry, to surrender assets valued at nearly $90 million to resolve charges that they used false or baseless earnings claims to persuade people to pay for financial training programs and a multi-level-marketing business
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued the following news release:
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Lead Defendants in the IM Mastery Academy MLM Scheme to Turn Over Tens of Millions of Dollars in Assets to Settle FTC Charges
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The Federal Trade Commission and State of Nevada will require five individual and corporate IM Mastery Academy defendants, including ringleaders Chris and Isis Terry, to surrender assets valued at nearly $90 million to resolve charges that they used false or baseless earnings claims to persuade people to pay for financial training programs and a multi-level-marketing businessventure.
"Today's action reflects the Federal Trade Commission's steadfast commitment to protecting our markets and consumers from deceptive schemes that take advantage of Americans seeking legitimate financial opportunities," said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. "As the facts of this case demonstrate, consumers should be cautious when encountering money-making opportunities that promise significant earnings, especially those spread on social media. The Commission will continue to aggressively target scammers who mislead the public and use every tool at our disposal to shut down harmful scams."
In the May 2025 complaint, the FTC and Nevada AG alleged that the wide-ranging scheme-which operated most recently as IYOVIA, but has also branded itself as IM Mastery Academy, iMarketsLive and IM Academy-used false or baseless earning claims to entice consumers to purchase training on how to invest in financial markets. The scheme, which generated more than $1.2 billion since 2018, used similar claims to persuade consumers to buy into the defendants' multi-level-marketing business venture, which involved marketing the defendants' trading-training services to others.
The defendants focused their deceptive marketing on young people and used social media posts flaunting luxurious and expensive lifestyles, purportedly funded by trading profits and multi-level-marketing commissions.
The proposed order announced today resolving the allegations against the five main defendants in the case, including the Terrys, imposes a $795.8 million judgment. To partially satisfy this judgment, the defendants will be required to surrender a wide range of assets, including: eight luxury homes in New York, Nevada, Florida and Dubai; 13 home lots in a high-end real estate development near Las Vegas; 19 automobiles, including Range Rovers, BMWs, a Bentley and a Rolls Royce; a yacht; and jewelry including a 15-carat diamond ring and Richard Mille, Bulgari and Rolex watches.
The value of the assets to be turned over by the Terrys, combined with the monetary judgments already paid by other defendants, is expected to total more than $100 million. The remainder of the judgment will be suspended following these transfers, but the total amount will be due if the defendants are found to have lied to the agencies about their finances.
In addition to the monetary judgment, the order:
* Bans the defendants from the sale of trading-training services and investment opportunities;
* Prohibits them from making false earnings claims and requires that they have a reasonable basis for all earning claims when they are made;
* Prohibits them from making other misrepresentations related to goods or services, including the level of experience required for consumers to effectively use the good or service, any aspect of a refund or cancellation policy, or any other restrictions, limitations or conditions;
* Prohibits misrepresentations regarding goods or services sold with a negative-option feature and requires certain disclosures regarding goods or services sold with a negative-option feature;
* Requires the defendants to obtain express informed consent before charging consumers for goods or services sold with a negative option feature;
* Requires the defendants to have a simple cancellation mechanism when using negative-option features; and
* Prohibits a range of misleading and deceptive practices regarding telemarketing and bars the defendants from violating the Commission's Telemarketing Sales Rule.
In August 2025, the FTC and Nevada obtained a preliminary injunction against the three companies that executed the IM Mastery Academy scheme and the Terrys. In November 2025, the FTC and Nevada obtained a modified preliminary injunction against those defendants, imposing a receivership and an asset freeze on the Terrys and their companies.
Previously, the FTC and Nevada obtained judgments against other defendants involved in the scheme as executives and high-level salespeople. These include orders against defendants Global Dynasty Network, LLC, Jason Brown and Matthew Rosa, as well as Alex Morton, IM Mastery Academy's executive vice president of sales and Brandon Boyd, an IM Mastery Academy salesman.
The Commission vote approving the stipulated order was 2-0. The FTC filed the proposed order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada.
The FTC staff attorneys on this matter are Thomas Biesty, Laura Basford, Ron Brooke and Josh Doan of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
NOTE: Stipulated final orders have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.
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Original text here: https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/05/lead-defendants-im-mastery-academy-mlm-scheme-turn-over-tens-millions-dollars-assets-settle-ftc
FCC Orders Recovery of Emergency Connectivity Funds From Colegio Paraiso Infantil
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission has denied a request for review and waiver filed by Colegio Paraiso Infantil, San Antonio, Puerto Rico, regarding the recovery of funds from the Emergency Connectivity Fund. The decision, issued by the Wireline Competition Bureau, mandates that the school must return funding received for connected devices after failing to comply with program audit requirements (WC Docket No.: 21-93).
The dispute centers on $4,399.45 disbursed in July 2022 for 11 connected devices intended to help close the "homework gap." According to the order, an auditor
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission has denied a request for review and waiver filed by Colegio Paraiso Infantil, San Antonio, Puerto Rico, regarding the recovery of funds from the Emergency Connectivity Fund. The decision, issued by the Wireline Competition Bureau, mandates that the school must return funding received for connected devices after failing to comply with program audit requirements (WC Docket No.: 21-93).
The dispute centers on $4,399.45 disbursed in July 2022 for 11 connected devices intended to help close the "homework gap." According to the order, an auditorselected the school for a compliance review in December 2022. Despite numerous attempts to contact the school via email and telephone in both English and Spanish over a 15-month period, the school failed to provide the required asset inventory and documentation.
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) eventually sought recovery of the funds in June 2024. While Colegio Paraiso Infantil later attempted to submit the missing records during the appeal process in 2025, the Commission found these efforts insufficient.
The Bureau determined that the school violated section 54.1714 and section 54.1715(c) of the Commission's rules. These regulations require all ECF participants to cooperate with audits and produce documentation upon request to ensure program integrity. In the order, the FCC noted that the school's late submission of documents raised concerns regarding the reliability of the evidence. The Bureau emphasized that audits are essential for verifying that taxpayer-funded equipment is used appropriately and in compliance with the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Colegio Paraiso Infantil sought a waiver of the rules, citing "security issues with email accounts" as the reason for the lack of communication. However, the Commission rejected this argument, stating that the school failed to demonstrate special circumstances that would justify a deviation from standard procedures. The order concluded that the school's prolonged silence--despite reminders from the Commission's Managing Director and USAC--distinguishes this case from others where late-filed information was accepted. USAC has been directed to continue with the recovery of the $4,399.45.
-- Vidhi Gianani, Targeted News Service
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-472A1.pdf
FCC Office of Engineering and Technology and Media Bureau Announce Release of Version 2.3.1 of TVStudy
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau issued the following public notice (Docket No. DA 26-468):
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The Office of Engineering and Technology and the Media Bureau announce the release of updated TVStudy software (Version 2.3.1)./1 The TVStudy Version 2.3.1 software installation package, the TVStudy 2.3.1 Installation and Upgrade Guide, and the post-auction template XML file are all available on the TVStudy website at http://www.fcc.gov/oet/tvstudy.
As with prior updates, a full list of changes from TVStudy Version 2.3 is included in the "Differences Between
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau issued the following public notice (Docket No. DA 26-468):
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The Office of Engineering and Technology and the Media Bureau announce the release of updated TVStudy software (Version 2.3.1)./1 The TVStudy Version 2.3.1 software installation package, the TVStudy 2.3.1 Installation and Upgrade Guide, and the post-auction template XML file are all available on the TVStudy website at http://www.fcc.gov/oet/tvstudy.
As with prior updates, a full list of changes from TVStudy Version 2.3 is included in the "Differences Between2.3.1 and 2.3.0" section of the Change Log in the TVStudy 2.3.1 Installation and Upgrade Guide.
In particular, TVStudy 2.3.1 corrects an issue that caused applications for new low power television stations to be considered incorrectly in TV Interference Check studies. TVStudy 2.3.1 also corrects a number of minor issues throughout the software, and adds a handful of minor features.
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Footnote:
1/ See Office of Engineering and Technology Announces Release of Version 2.1 of TVStudy for Processing Construction Permit Applications Filed With the Media Bureau Implementing the Results of the Repacking Process, Public Notice, 32 FCC Rcd 998 (OET 2017) ("OET will continue to make improvements and other changes to TVStudy that are necessary and appropriate, and will inform the public via public notice when new versions of TVStudy are released. OET welcomes feedback on this software's features and functions.").
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-468A1.pdf
CFTC Staff Issues No-Action Letter on Data Reporting for Event Contracts
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release:
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CFTC Staff Issues No-Action Letter on Data Reporting for Event Contracts
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The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Division of Market Oversight and Division of Clearing and Risk today announced they have taken a no-action position regarding swap data reporting and recordkeeping regulations.
The divisions will not recommend the Commission initiate an enforcement action against designated contract markets, derivatives clearing organizations, or their participants for failure to comply
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WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release:
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CFTC Staff Issues No-Action Letter on Data Reporting for Event Contracts
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The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's Division of Market Oversight and Division of Clearing and Risk today announced they have taken a no-action position regarding swap data reporting and recordkeeping regulations.
The divisions will not recommend the Commission initiate an enforcement action against designated contract markets, derivatives clearing organizations, or their participants for failure to complywith certain swap-related recordkeeping requirements and for failure to report to swap data repositories data associated with fully collateralized event contract transactions. This no-action position is subject to the terms of the no-action letter issued today.
This position is in response to numerous requests from DCMs and DCOs that list and clear event contracts. The divisions anticipate receiving similar requests, including requests to modify previous no-action positions to account for amendments to DCM designation orders, changes in DCOs, and other developments. The divisions intend for today's no-action position to streamline the process for addressing such requests and to ensure uniform treatment of market participants.
The divisions' no-action position covers all beneficiaries of previous no-action letters concerning data reporting for similar contracts. Entities wishing to list or clear similar contracts may request a no-action position identical to today's letter. If the divisions grant such a request, they will add the requester to the appendix to the no-action letter. This approach removes the need for the divisions to continually issue identical no-action letters and ensures consistent treatment for new and previous applicants.
-CFTC-
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Original text here: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9131-26
