Paul Tassin  |  April 18, 2017

Category: Closed Class Actions

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gatehouse-media

Two Massachusetts newspaper subscribers have reached a class action settlement with GateHouse Media LLC and its related publishing companies.

Subscribers who were billed surcharges for certain “Premium Edition” publications by the defendant companies may qualify for benefits under this settlement.

Plaintiffs Steven Keenholtz and Dorothy Guillicksen claim that defendants GateHouse Media LLC and several related publishing businesses failed to properly disclose certain surcharges associated with their publication subscriptions.

The defendants, collectively referred to as GateHouse Media, publish dozens of weekly newspapers. The plaintiffs say they purchased one-year and 26-week subscriptions to these publications from GateHouse Media.

But in addition to sending subscribers the publication they purchased, GateHouse Media also sent them a “premium” monthly magazine called Lens, the plaintiffs say. They allege Lens is packed with advertisements and puff articles, and they claim it has nothing to do with the publications they actually subscribed to.

GateHouse Media allegedly charged these customers $2 per issue of Lens. But instead of billing them for it or offering them a chance to opt out of purchasing Lens, the plaintiffs say GateHouse Media simply shortened the subscription they purchased to cover the cost of Lens. So subscribers who purchased a one-year subscription might end up getting only thirty weeks’ worth of the publication they purchased, the plaintiffs say.

Keenholtz and Guillicksen argue GateHouse Media failed to properly disclose the surcharges associated with its “Premium Edition” publications like Lens, in a way that violates Massachusetts consumer protection laws.

GateHouse Media disputes these allegations and is not required to admit any liability under this class action settlement.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement Class covers persons who, between April 1, 2014 and March 21, 2017:

  • Resided in Massachusetts;
  • Purchased a subscription to a GateHouse Media publication from GateHouse Media;
  • Received one or more Premium Edition publications;
  • Were charged a surcharge for the Premium Editions; and
  • Instead of being billed for the additional Premium Edition surcharge, had the expiration date of their subscription accelerated based on the surcharge amount of the Premium Editions published during the Class Period.
Potential Award

Varies

Class Members who file a valid claim may choose either a subscription extension or a refund. The subscription extension would restore their subscription to the length it would have been had it not been cut short to cover the cost of Premium Edition publications. The refund would cover the amount assessed against the Class Member’s subscription to cover the Premium Editions’ cost.

Proof of Purchase

Claimants must submit a Claim Form that shows their contact information, the date of their purchase, the last four digits of any credit card used to make their purchase, and their choice of settlement benefit. While other documentation may not be necessary to make a claim, claimants are advised to retain any receipts, bank statements, or other documentation of their subscription purchases.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

7/19/2017

Case Name

Steven Keenholtz, M.D. and Dorothy Guillicksen v. GateHouse Media LLC, et al., Case No. 1777-CV-00184, in the Superior Court for Essex County, Massachusetts

Final Hearing

10/5/2017   UPDATED

Settlement Website

www.GHMClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

GHM Settlement
Kurtzman Carson Consultants LLC
P.O. Box 43447
Providence, RI 02940-3447
1-877-449-8589

Class Counsel

Jason M. Leviton
BLOCK & LEVITON LLP

Defense Counsel

David G. Thomas
GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP

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8 thoughts onMassachusetts GateHouse Media Class Action Settlement

  1. Andrea Lodi says:

    They are still doing this just happened to me 8 /20/2019

  2. Samantha says:

    Any updates on this?

    1. Top Class Actions says:

      We have not had any viewers report receiving their settlement. You should contact the settlement administrator to inquire about the status of your claim:
      GHM Settlement
      Kurtzman Carson Consultants LLC
      P.O. Box 43447
      Providence, RI 02940-3447
      1-877-449-8589

  3. Samantha says:

    Update?

  4. Neil Adams says:

    Seems the settlement has yet to take effect. Just got my subscription renewal and it is a month earlier then last years ??? Every year since 2015 the subscriptions renewals have been shortened by 1 month. So, my calculation, I’m owed a six month extension. 1st year 1 month, 2nd year 2 months and now 3rd (if I pay it before the settlement) 3 months. To boot they went from 45.83 to 50.83, a 10.9% increase. Really tempted on dropping them.

    1. Bob Williamson CT says:

      You do realize, that all businesses must periodically raise what it costs to do business with them. According to federal antitrust laws, the ONLY responsibility a corporation has is to make a larger profit than the previous quarter. The ONLY entity a corporation is beholden to is its stock holders

      1. Jim Wiggin says:

        That’s not exactly true in general and it certainly isn’t true as to the federal antitrust laws. Ever heard about the duty under the federal antitrust laws not to monopolize or to fix prices with your competitors?

  5. Greg St. Cyr says:

    Over a year ago, I called Gatehouse when I found out this deception for myself. They said that I may opt out and I did. It didn’t matter, they still shortened my subscription.

    Before paying this year, I called to opt out again (or at least try). The operator told me that it was not necessary to opt out because premium editions were already in the price and the price had gone up. And it had, from 31.33 to 37.73. Apparently, they have gotten the message. I hope my refund will cover the years that they have been getting away with this.

    Thanks
    Lisa & Greg St. Cyr

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