Posted on 04/05/2003 3:31:55 AM PST by sarcasm
If Philip Morris USA has its way, the State of Illinois will lose $3 billion in punitive damages related to a Downstate class-action lawsuit over the sale of light cigarettes.
The maker of Marlboro cigarettes said it asked the Cook County Circuit Court late Friday to prevent the state from collecting punitive damages. The award was part of a $10.1 billion judgment against the company on March 21 for deceiving Illinois smokers into believing light cigarettes were safer than regular varieties.
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The threat stirred up state politicians across the nation. States are depending on the tobacco payments to shore up their budgets. Indeed, a number of state attorneys general plan to file an amicus, or friend of the court, brief early next week in Madison County on behalf of Philip Morris' attempt to lower the bond.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
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