BUSINESS IN BRIEF

WASTE MANAGEMENT ORDERED TO PAY $376K

BOSTON - A Texas-based waste disposal company has been ordered to pay more than $376,000 in fines and restitution for violations of prevailing wage laws, Attorney General Martha Coakley said.

Waste Management Inc. was cited for charging employees for health care coverage they did not receive, Coakley said.

From June 2008 through June 2011, Waste Management made deductions from the prevailing wage for employees who had opted out of the company's health and welfare plans.

Waste Management agreed to pay back 56 employees for the costs of unwanted benefits that had been deducted from their wages.

AD AGENCY MOVES TO INDUSTRIAL PARK

PLYMOUTH - ViaMark Advertising has relocated to an expanded office at 5 Aldrin Road in Plymouth Industrial Park.

The move was necessitated by expanded staff and plans to open more franchise offices throughout New England. The company was at Cordage Commerce Center for the last seven years.

The company chose to remain in Plymouth because of its proximity to Boston, Providence and Cape Cod, the media markets that it has identified as ripe for franchise growth, founder Glenn Anderson said. The agency handles more than 100 accounts from Massachusetts to Florida, specializing in creative services, media placement and radio, TV, print, outdoor and online advertising.

NATIONAL GRID WARNS CUSTOMERS ABOUT SCAM

WALTHAM - National Grid warned that a payment scam is targeting customers in New England.

Scammers claiming to be National Grid representatives have been calling customers and asking them to buy a Green Dot MoneyPak card to pay balances or for meter replacement. The scammers ask for a 14-digit security code on the card and use it to access funds on the pre-paid credit card.

National Grid is not conducting a Green Dot MoneyPak program. Customers who have been solicited should notify local law enforcement and National Grid, the utility said. Electric customers in New England should call 800-322-3223. Natural gas customers in Massachusetts should call 1-800-732-3400.

NIKE ENDS RELATIONSHIP WITH LANCE ARMSTRONG

BEAVERTON, Ore. - Nike has severed ties with cyclist Lance Armstrong, citing evidence that he participated in doping and misled the company about those activities for more than a decade.

The clothing and footwear company said Wednesday that it was terminating Armstrong's contract "with great sadness."

Armstrong said Wednesday, just minutes before the announcement from Nike, that he was stepping down as chairman of his Livestrong cancer-fighting charity so the organization can steer clear of the whirlwind surrounding its founder.

Nike Inc. said it plans to continue its support for Livestrong. Anheuser-Busch and the sunglasses company Oakley have already pledged ongoing support for the organization.