Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring co-chair Scott Markowitz was featured in the Reuters and New York Times articles, “OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma to pay states' lawyers, urged to help victims.” The articles discuss the OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP recent court approval to reimburse millions of dollars in legal fees for states that back its proposed $10 billion settlement of opioid lawsuits, under the condition to help victims of the addiction crisis.

Purdue filed for bankruptcy in September after the accumulation of thousands of lawsuits alleging it helped fuel the opioid crisis by playing down the addiction risks of its painkillers, which Purdue has denied.

Scott noted, “It’s difficult for me to explain to my constituents why states and government authorities which have the funds to pay lawyers get their fees paid when it could be used for a hospital.” He continues saying, “We think it sends the wrong message to victims of the opioid crisis.” Scott urges Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain to reject the reimbursement request.

Scott Markowitz is counsel to the ad hoc committee of NAS babies in the Purdue Pharma Chapter 11 case.

Read the full Reuters and New York Times articles.