Delaware Attorney General Targets Sackler Family in Opioid Lawsuit

Delaware’s attorney general is suing members of the family that controls OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, accusing them of consumer fraud, negligence and creating a public nuisance.

Monday’s court filing follows more than a dozen similar lawsuits by other state attorneys general targeting members of the Sackler family.

The Delaware lawsuit alleges that the Sacklers led Purdue Pharma’s false and deceptive marketing of opioid painkillers, lining their pockets while contributing to a nationwide epidemic of drug addiction and overdoses.

Delaware has a separate lawsuit pending against Purdue Pharma and other drug companies and distributors. Nearly every other state and about 2,000 local governments also have sued drug companies over opioid abuse.

Purdue has been trying to negotiate a global settlement of those claims, while also threatening to file for bankruptcy protection.