© 2025 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Connecticut Attorney General Discusses Opposing Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Settlement

MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST:

Fifteen states have agreed to give up their fight against a controversial bankruptcy plan for Purdue Pharma, the makers of OxyContin. The settlement plan forces the Sackler family to give up ownership of their bankrupt company. It also ensures the release of millions of once-secret documents. And it would mean the Sacklers would pay slightly more, bringing the total settlement amount to roughly $4.2 billion. Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who was the first attorney general to sue the Sacklers, she had blasted a previous plan, but in a press conference today, she called the new settlement a big win.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

MAURA HEALEY: Today's resolution delivers the most important things we've been fighting for - a reckoning that exposes the Sackler's misconduct, strips them of their power and provides money that will be dedicated entirely to prevention, treatment and recovery.

KELLY: But nine states and the District of Columbia are still holding out against the settlement, including Connecticut. And we're joined now by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. Hey there. Welcome.

WILLIAM TONG: Hey, Mary Louise. How are you?

KELLY: I am well. Thank you. So I'll start by asking, why not sign on?

TONG: It just doesn't provide enough justice. We lose more than a thousand people every year in Connecticut. That's more than a thousand Connecticut families wrecked by the opioid and addiction crisis in which the Sacklers and Purdue Pharma played a central role. And this causes more than $10 billion of economic damage to the state of Connecticut. And as far as I can tell, the Sacklers have stashed away their wealth. They're not selling any cars or boats or art or houses. And they have to do more to pay for the harm that they caused people in Connecticut and across the country. And this isn't enough.

KELLY: But as we heard your counterpart in Massachusetts arguing there, this settlement does do a lot. It would increase the payout from the Sacklers. It would release a huge number of documents, emails and communications and other things, going back a decade. Why are you not swayed by that argument?

TONG: So it does do something. That's true. And General Healey did a lot in pushing for the document disclosure. But the representation that it pays out $4.5 billion, that's paid over nine years. And so on a present-value basis, it's not $4.5 billion.

KELLY: And I'll jump in and just say I know you're using the number $4.5 billion. I think I mentioned $4.2 billion. These numbers are still working their way out.

TONG: Right. Right.

KELLY: But we're talking somewhere north of $4 billion. Let me push you, though, because, you know, we all know perfect can be the enemy of the good. And I don't hear anyone arguing this is a perfect settlement. But is it not better than no settlement?

TONG: Yeah, it's never going to be enough, and I acknowledge that. But at the end of the day, this is not just a normal litigation. My job is to pursue justice for families and victims here in Connecticut. And frankly, it's really important to note, this is an abuse of the bankruptcy process. The Sacklers are not bankrupt. They have tens of billions of dollars that they've pilfered from this company. And for them to use the bankruptcy process to shield themselves and protect themselves is an outrage.

KELLY: On a practical level, does this fight get harder for you, with Massachusetts and New York among the states dropping opposition?

TONG: It's always been a hard fight. I knew that when I got into it. But the reason why Connecticut is so aggressive in playing a central role in this is, of course, because I'm the home state attorney general. Purdue Pharma is based in my home city of Stamford, Conn., and many of the Sacklers have in the past and still do call Connecticut their home. So to me, it means that I have a special obligation to be aggressive to hold them accountable.

KELLY: So what's your next move?

TONG: I'm in constant communication with the eight other states and the District of Columbia who are a no on this settlement proposal, and we are considering and pursuing all of our viable options.

KELLY: That is Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. Thank you so much.

TONG: Thank you so much.

KELLY: And I want to note, NPR reached out to members of the Mortimer and Raymond Sackler branches of the family. In a statement, they praised the decision by more states to accept the settlement, saying, quote, "this resolution to the mediation is an important step toward providing substantial resources for people and communities in need." Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.