Kroger to pay Washington nearly $50M in proposed resolution to fentanyl lawsuit
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Retail company Kroger is set to pay almost $50 million to the state of Washington to resolve a lawsuit tied to the fentanyl crisis.
On Tuesday morning, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced he signed a deal that will bring $47.5 million to battle the opioid epidemic.
Ferguson filed a lawsuit in December 2022 in King County Superior Court against Kroger for illegally, recklessly, and negligently filing opioid orders without investigating red flags of fraud or overprescribing. This resolution will resolve the state's legal claims against Kroger.
Half of the money is set to go to the state while the other half goes to Washington's city and county governments. In total, this brings the Washington Attorney General's Office's total funds to $1.29 billion dollars to fight opioid addiction.
The $47.5 million will be paid over the course of 11 years. The deal still must be approved by other states involved in the lawsuit and Washington cities with more than 30,000 people. Ferguson's office is confident that will happen.