The Sackler family, known for their involvement in the opioid crisis through their ownership of Purdue Pharma, are facing a wave of lawsuits from both states and creditors. This comes after a recent Supreme Court ruling that denied the Sacklers legal immunity in relation to their role in the crisis.
Purdue Pharma’s creditors, along with more than 40 states, are gearing up to take legal action against individual members of the Sackler family. This comes as Purdue itself is supporting a proposal by creditors to sue the Sacklers for allegedly transferring billions of dollars out of the company and into family trusts and overseas holding companies.
These legal maneuvers are part of a larger effort to pressure the Sacklers into settling thousands of opioid-related lawsuits that have been looming for years. Negotiations are set to resume soon in mediation sessions, with hopes of reaching a new agreement. If a deal is not reached by September 9, the lawsuits against the company and family members are expected to move forward after being on hold for nearly five years.
The Supreme Court’s ruling last month essentially nullified an agreement that had been negotiated between the Sacklers, Purdue Pharma, and various governments and groups. This agreement would have seen the Sacklers contribute $6 billion towards opioid treatment and prevention, but only if they were granted immunity from all civil lawsuits related to opioids. However, the court deemed that the Sacklers were not eligible for such immunity since they did not file for personal bankruptcy like Purdue did.
Overall, the legal landscape surrounding the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma is shifting rapidly, with the potential for significant repercussions for both parties. The outcome of these legal battles will have far-reaching implications for the ongoing opioid crisis and the quest for accountability and justice in its wake.
