A case with a $10 billion verdict at stake returns to the Illinois Supreme Court this morning a decade after justices threw it out.
The heart of the question is whether tobacco giant Philip Morris defrauded smokers by pitching "light" cigarettes.
Back in 2003, a court ruled "yes" and granted smokers a monster $10 billion judgment. It was reversed by the Illinois Supreme Court, citing federal regulations. It volleyed the case down to a lower court.
Justice Lloyd Karmeier, who eked out another decade term in November's election, will once again be on the bench.
Karmeier’ s first election set records for spending. His campaign had indirectly benefited from a half-million dollar donation from Philip Morris's parent company.
Critics are upset Karmeier voted to let Philip Morris off its $10 billion hook and denounced him for not recusing himself ten years ago. They unsuccessfully tried to bounce him from ruling this round as well.
