U.S.A V Phillip Morris USA, INC , Civil Action No. 99-2496 (GK)
United States District Court found that major tobacco companies have violated civil racketeering laws and defrauded the American people by lying for decades about the health risks of smoking.
The Court felt constrained in the remedies that they could impose because of a controversial appeals court ruling that restricted financial remedies under the civil RICO law.
The United States Department of Justice filed under the civil racketeering (RICO) law to hold the tobacco companies legally accountable for decades of illegal and harmful practices.
