CITY OF OAKLAND
ONE FRANK H. OGAWA PLAZA • 6 TH FLOOR • OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA 94612 Office of the City Attorney
Ryan Richardson
City Attorney
FAX:
TDD:
(510) 238-3601
(510) 238-6500
(510) 839-6451
May 19, 2026
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Oakland, California
Subject: People of the State of California, et al. v. Purdue Pharma L.P ., et al.
Orange County Superior Court No. 30-2014-00725287-CU-BT-CXC
In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation
MDL Master Docket No. 1:17-MD-2804
President Jenkins and Members of the City Council:
Pursuant to Section 401 of the Charter, the City Attorney has prepared and requests your approval of a resolution authorizing the City Attorney to release claims against six regional opioid distributor/dispenser defendants—American Associated Pharmacies; J M Smith Corporation; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; Morris and Dickson Co. L.L.C.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; and United Natural Foods, Inc. (including all affiliated entities) (collectively, “Defendants”) in exchange for full participation in the Nationwide Settlement Agreement (the “Six Remnant Defendant Settlement”).
The opportunity to fully join this settlement arose due to litigation the City Attorney joined some years ago. Although Oakland did not sue these Defendants, Oakland is nonetheless eligible to fully join the agreement. This is due to the City Attorney’s participation in the state court litigation and to the recognition by sister local governments of the role in shedding light on the practices of this industry and holding them accountable. In May 2014, the Santa Clara County Counsel’s Office and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed the first lawsuit in the nation brought by government entities against major opioid manufacturers for the companies’ roles in creating and perpetuating the opioid crisis. In 2018, Oakland and Los Angeles County, in the name of the People of the State of California, joined that lawsuit. The People v. Purdue Pharma et al. case was filed, litigated, and tried in Orange County Superior Court.
The settlement serves to resolve federal litigation by innumerable state and local governments across the country challenging the conduct of a wide variety of opioid industry actors for the roles they played in the opioid crisis. Separate from any state court proceedings, those cases
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
May 19, 2026
Subject: People of the State of California, et al. v. Purdue Pharma L.P ., et al.
Orange County Superior Court No. 30-2014-00725287-CU-BT-CXC
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were consolidated years ago into a single “Multi-District Litigation” (“MDL”) proceeding, and this settlement will resolve relevant claims in the MDL with these remaining small defendants.
Participation in the Settlement requires that the City of Oakland (1) release all of its legal claims, including unfiled claims, against the Defendants; and (2) agree to the specific terms of the use of the settlement funding. This is similar to prior nationwide opioid settlement and bankruptcy agreements that Council has previously authorized, however this funding will be disbursed directly to Oakland and not flow through a statewide agreement (see Resolution Nos. 88980, 89534, 89609, 90381, 90879 C.M.S.).
The City Council authorized settlement of this case in Closed Session on Thursday, April 30, 2026 (moved by Councilmember Noel Gallo and seconded by Councilmember Carroll Fife - 7 Ayes, 1 Excused – Councilmember Ken Houston).
Respectfully submitted,
RYAN RICHARDSON
City Attorney
Assigned Attorney:
Malia McPherson
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