UnitedHealth lawsuit settlement advances UnitedHealth Group Inc., giant insurer based in Minnetonka, received a judge's preliminary approval of a $350 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit. The suit alleged that a UnitedHealth database systematically set physician payments below the amount the physician normally charged, leaving patients with a larger bill from the physician to make up the difference. The settlement, reached in January, received preliminary approval from U.S. District Judge Lawrence McKenna in New York.
STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
Qwest cutting 52 workers in Duluth Qwest Communications will shut down its directory assistance operation in Duluth on Feb. 5, costing 52 workers their jobs. Joanne Hjelmeland, a Qwest spokeswoman, said decreasing call volume prompted the closing. "There has been a trend for customers to use online and cell phones for directory assistance, and that affects these jobs," she said. Qwest said some workers will be offered jobs at a call center in Utah.
DULUTH NEWS TRIBUNE
Pension funds agree to Pepsi settlement PepsiAmericas Inc. of Minneapolis and Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. won preliminary approval to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by investors challenging a buyout bid by PepsiCo Inc., the world's largest snack maker. PepsiCo made offers for the remaining shares in its two largest bottlers in April. Six pension funds sued, seeking more money in the $7.8 billion deal, which may close next year. They agreed to settle the case, in part, for $7.75 million in legal fees, court papers show. A Delaware judge will consider the settlement at an April 12 hearing.
BLOOMBERG NEWS
