Drama in California's wine country, a 'Ponzi-like scheme' in Sacramento and other court filings spotted on Court Listener in the first week of September

Including another lawsuit against Tesla for alleged defects in one of its cars

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1) Winery accuses Napa County government of First Amendment violations and ‘retribution’

Three wineries are suing Napa County for suddenly changing entitlements that allow them to host tastings, tours and other public events. They accuse the county government of regulating the industry with an inconsistent, opaque patchwork of local laws and policies.

“If a winery within the County dares challenge the discretion of Napa County and the restrictions placed on these wineries, it is met with retribution and millions of dollars in costs just to ‘maintain’ the limited operating permissions Napa County was ‘gracious’ enough to allow in the first place,” a federal complaint alleges. “In many cases, the winery is forced to bargain ‘down’ their existing entitlements (at substantial expense) to avoid closure and/or enforcement action.”