Tobacco companies are trying to get out of obligations to pay agreed settlements over illicit marketing practices, officials in the US state of Minnesota allege.
Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison, said the state is taking companies to court over attempts to minimise payments made over the last six years.
Most recently, Ellison’s office filed a motion in the second judicial district that seeks repayment of more than $58m covering the alleged underpayment, interest and penalties. A hearing for the lawsuit is scheduled for 26th September.
