The legal cases brought by so many state attorneys general and individuals against the odious Sackler family, whose company Purdue Pharma was responsible for so many opioid deaths, is going before a bankruptcy judge this week who will decide on a plea deal brought by some state attorneys general.
John Oliver gives a masterful expose of why the deal that has been proposed is such a bad one but will likely get approved. Basically the deal is such that the Sacklers, while pretending to pay billions, will actually get off very lightly by having their considerable personal assets mostly protected and will also be given sweeping blanket immunity from the lawsuits of those who did not agree to be part of this deal and even future lawsuits. They will not even have to plead guilty to any personal wrongdoing in the case, blaming it all on the company even though they were very hands-on in driving the practices that led to massive rates of addiction.
The bankruptcy judge hearing the case has a history of being sympathetic to these kinds of deals which is why the Sacklers shopped around so that they could appear before him in the small town of White Plains, NY. This case shows how the rich can manipulate the legal system to their benefit.
I hope that this show helps to create a big enough uproar that he has second thoughts about letting them get off so easy.
jrkrideau says
Humm, did the Sacklars ever sell outside the USA?
jrkrideau says
BTW, Oliver is correct . Googling things to do in White Plains starts with helicopter flights.
John Morales says
jrkrideau, hm.
I just copy-pasted this search term:
things to do in White Plains
Top results, in order:
Neuberger Museum of Art
Greenburgh Nature Center
Kensico Dam Plaza
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
Tours from $36
Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
Tours from $199
The Puzzle Parlour
Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events
So, not for me. But then, I’m in Australia.
khms says
Hmm. If I do that, the first Google results page contains … a long list of pages titled “NNN things to do in White Plains”.
WMDKitty -- Survivor says
I’m still waiting for someone to explain how the Sacklers are responsible for people choosing to misuse their product. Opioids are perfectly safe when used as prescribed.
John Morales says
WMDKitty, simple.
1. They were prescribed inappropriately;
1a. Because of kickbacks and marketing;
1b. Due to the marketing by the company;
1c. Which was guided by the Sacklers, for profit.
Basically, if you want to inform yourself (why wait?), look at the prosecution case, to which the company has pled guilty.
Here: https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/20417172-state-legal-filing-11-18-20
John Morales says
But hey, you’re perfectly welcome to hold that whatever people endure, they brought unto themselves.
(Of course, you’re a person, so that includes you. Just sayin’)
jws1 says
@5: Ok. We get it -- you’re openly advertising that you’re a piece of shit and are very proud of that singular accomplishment. Now go fuck yourself.