OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington is among five states that are challenging an opioid producer’s bankruptcy plan.
State Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s office says the plan puts Purdue Pharma into bankruptcy but allows its owners, the Sackler family, to escape accountability.
The states objecting to the plan say the Sacklers made billions while their company helped fuel the nation’s opioid epidemic.
The family has conditioned their $4 billion contribution to a settlement on a shield from future liability claims.
Ferguson and others say that will leave the family with at least $11 billion.
The five states are asking a federal judge in New York to throw out the settlement between the company and thousands of other government entities and people.