JPML Refuses to Centralize Bank of America Fraudulent Credit Card Cases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has refused to centralize seven putative class actions accusing Bank of America of negligently encouraging employees to create fraudulent credit card accounts to keep their jobs or earn bonuses.

In a Dec. 6 order, the panel said centralization is not warranted because there are only six actions pending in two districts, and the litigation has not grown since the motion for centralization was filed. In fact, three actions on the motion have been dismissed, the panel explained.

Until Jan. 1, Bank of America formally evaluated its employees’ overall performance and incentive …