What Happens To The Money?
The main question now is, “What happens to the money?” If Ms. James and other AGs collect more of the Sacklers’ worth then what happens next? The lion’s share of Purdue’s $3 billion settlement will go to cities, counties, and towns to recoup first higher costs for first responders, firemen, police officers, etc. Monies will also pour into efforts for treatment and prevention for those harmed by the crisis. Unlike the $250 billion tobacco settlement, funds will go to the areas where the harm was created. That is one of the reasons Cleveland’s Judge Dan Polster was so in favor of it.
Chatter suggests that only 3% of the $250 billion tobacco settlement garnered by state AGs went to cities and counties where the harm was created. The rest went to fill state coffers, build golf courses and fill potholes.
Pa. AG Shapiro files suit against Sackler family, owners of opioid maker Purdue Pharma https://t.co/fte6sDBP3V
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) September 14, 2019
If Ms. James, Pennsylvania AG Josh Shapiro and others collect more of the Sacklers’ wealth then that could be considered a good thing. However, where will the money go? Will it go directly to cities and counties where the harm was created or will it go to fill state coffers?
