State Sues Over 'Sham' Lawsuits

SACRAMENTO — Atty. Gen. Bill Lockyer filed suit against a Southern California law firm and one of its attorneys Tuesday, accusing them of misusing consumer protection laws and seeking more than $1 million in damages.

Lockyer claims that attorney Harpreet Brar and the Brar & Gamulin law firm sued hundreds of small businesses in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties solely to obtain nuisance settlements. The suit claims Brar wrongly accused the business owners of violating unfair business practice laws and then attempted to get quick cash settlements.

"The lawsuits filed by Brar and the other defendants were shams," Lockyer said in a statement. "When they brought these actions, they claimed to be representing the public's interest. But their only interest was in lining their pockets with easy money."