![Fox Announces Litigation to Recover $43 Million from Big Tobacco](https://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2020/04/FOX-PRESSER.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Fox Announces Litigation to Recover $43 Million from Big Tobacco
At a press conference in Helena on Monday, Montana Attorney General Tim Fox announced that his office had filed suit in Lewis and Clark District Court to hold several big tobacco companies liable for millions of dollars owed through the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement.
“Almost before the ink was dry (on the Master Settlement Agreement) the tobacco companies once again began using deceptive behaviors to evade their contractual responsibilities under that bargain,” Fox said. “Montana discovered in 2018 that the tobacco companies for over a decade withheld in bad faith millions of dollars they owe Montana through the Master Settlement Agreement, and that is why we’re looking to recover over $43 million dollars in property withheld from Montana.”
Fox said the payments from the tobacco companies help to fund smoking prevention and cessation programs and other critical health programs.
Fox, when asked about a possible timeline for the lawsuit against big tobacco, said it would probably be a very long time before Montana sees any money from the lawsuit.
“I would anticipate that true to form, these companies will do everything in their power to delay, deflect, and try to stalk this litigation,” he said. “Fortunately, we are in state district court and I think our judicial system is somewhat fed up with these companies, but I don’t have a timeline,” he said. “It likely will not go to trial before I am no longer Montana’s Attorney General.”
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![Montana Morning State News Headlines for Tuesday, November 17](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2020/11/10-19-20-SCOTLAND-WATERFALL.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Attorney General Tim Fox Announces Historic Tobacco Settlement](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2020/11/Tim-Fox-2019.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Attorney General Race Heating up – Charges and Counter Charges](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2020/10/State-Capitol-21.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Court Victory for Montana Students With Special Needs](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS47253_GettyImages-494312894-scr-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Stay Cool Missoula: Tips From Disaster Services Director](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS27921_GettyImages-1011404062-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Knife-Wielding Woman Arrested in Missoula After Altercation](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-featured-image-2024-07-15T122519.061.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Montana Gas Prices Continue to Rise, More Increases Are Expected](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/04/attachment-RS48332_GettyImages-178371765-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![UPDATE: Miller Peak Fire Near Missoula Grows to 800 Acres](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-MillerPeakFire-714-EDIT.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Saving Money on Energy Bills During Missoula’s Summer Heatwave](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2024/07/attachment-RS20739_GettyImages-488874060-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)