AG, Delgadill, Coke Reach Biggest Prop. 65 Deal Ever; Leeman Fees Unresolved– by Lana Beckett at Prop. 65 Clearinghouse

Excerpted from the full length article in Prop. 65 Clearinghouse:

California Attorney General Jerry Brown and Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo are pushing forward a $2 million court settlement with The Coca-Cola Company that includes what is apparently the largest single penalty payment in the history of Proposition 65.

The deal awaiting approval by a Los Angeles Superior Court judge also requires

Coke to take steps aimed at reducing the potential threat from Mexican-produced soda sold in bottles with painted labels containing high concentrations of lead. The agreement is the latest in a series of settlements with soft drink companies involving products originating south of the border.

But the contentious issue of attorney fees for a private plaintiff, whose investigations sparked the litigation, remained up in the air. The dispute had helped derail earlier efforts to settle the case, according to public statements by the parties and documents filed in the case [see Litigation Report, May 22, 2006]. Despite provisions in the new agreement intended to chart a path toward a resolution, lawyers for plaintiff Whitney Leeman continued to complain that their team’s work has been “far undervalued.” link to source.