Chiquita Brands International Faces $38.3 Million Verdict for Allegedly Financing Colombian Paramilitaries

Apartado, Colombia — A Florida federal jury has found Chiquita Brands International liable for its financial backing of a notorious Colombian paramilitary group implicated in countless killings, marking a historic judgment against the global fruit conglomerate. The jury awarded approximately $38.3 million to the families of eight men killed by the Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia, or AUC, which received millions of dollars from Chiquita even after being designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2001. This landmark decision arrives nearly two decades after Chiquita admitted to making payments to the AUC and agreed to … Read more

Los Angeles Jury Orders Billionaire to Pay $900 Million in Landmark Sexual Assault Verdict

Los Angeles — In a landmark decision for cases involving sexual misconduct allegations within corporate environments, a Los Angeles jury has handed down a $900 million award to a woman who accused businessman Alkiviades David, known as David Alki, of sexual harassment, assault, and rape. The verdict represents one of the most substantial in such cases, reflecting a serious stance against sexual misconduct by figures of authority. The case, which garnered significant attention, revolves around allegations from a former employee who worked under David as a production manager from February 2016 to April 2019. David, … Read more

Costco Settles for $2 Million Over Misleading ‘Flushable’ Wipes Claims; Shoppers May Be Entitled to Compensation

New York, NY — A recent class action lawsuit settlement involving Costco could affect customers who purchased the retailer’s Kirkland Signature Moist Flushable Wipes between 2011 and 2017. The lawsuit claims that the product was falsely marketed as “flushable,” which allegedly led to extensive plumbing damage, including clogs and impairment to septic systems. Although Costco has denied any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to pay $2 million to resolve allegations of misleading advertising surrounding their product. The settlement highlights ongoing debates about the marketing and environmental impact of disposable wipes, which have been under scrutiny … Read more

New Hampshire Seeks to Cap $38 Million Abuse Verdict to $475,000, Sparking Legal and Public Outcry

Manchester, NH — In a landmark case that spotlighted alleged abuses at a New Hampshire youth detention center, a jury awarded David Meehan $38 million for the traumas he said he suffered in the 1990s. However, the state Attorney General’s office announced plans to limit the compensation to $475,000, citing a governmental immunity statute. Meehan, now 42, asserted that while he was at the Youth Development Center (YDC) from December 1995 to January 1999, he was repeatedly raped, beaten, and isolated. His case is the first among potentially 1,500, alleging similar abuses spanning decades at … Read more