Trump Names Bondi, Former FL AG Who Sued CVS on Opioids, to Serve as U.S. Attorney General

Trump Names Bondi, Former FL AG Who Sued CVS on Opioids, to Serve as U.S. Attorney General

President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday night his new choice to serve as his administration's U.S. Attorney General.

Trump made the announcement on Truth Social:

I am proud to announce former Attorney General of the Great State of Florida, Pam Bondi, as our next Attorney General of the United States. Pam was a prosecutor for nearly 20 years, where she was very tough on Violent Criminals, and made the streets safe for Florida Families. Then, as Florida’s first female Attorney General, she worked to stop the trafficking of deadly drugs, and reduce the tragedy of Fentanyl Overdose Deaths, which have destroyed many families across our Country. She did such an incredible job, that I asked her to serve on our Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission during my first Term — We saved many lives!

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. I have known Pam for many years — She is smart and tough, and is an AMERICA FIRST Fighter, who will do a terrific job as Attorney General!

In 2018, GoLocal reported about Bondi, then the Florida Attorney General, filing suit against CVS:

Bondi filed an amended complaint in the Pasco County Circuit Court action against opioid manufacturers and distributors.

The amended complaint provides additional details of the defendants’ collective efforts to increase the supply of opioids in Florida and nationwide. Insys Therapeutics, Inc., Walgreens Co., CVS Healthcare Corp. and CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (“CVS”) are named as additional defendants for their roles in creating the opioid crisis.

The amended complaint alleges that Walgreens Co. and CVS were two of the largest opioid distributors in Florida and failed in their duties under Florida law to stop suspicious orders of opioids they received. The amended complaint also alleges that Walgreens Co. and CVS dispensed unreasonable quantities of opioids from their pharmacies.

“We will continue to pursue those companies that played a role in creating the opioid crisis,” said Bondi. “Thousands of Floridians have suffered as a result of the actions of the defendants.”

The amended complaint alleges that Insys Therapeutics, Inc. provided kickbacks to doctors in exchange for doctors writing prescriptions for its opioid product, Subsys.

In the amended complaint, the Attorney General’s Office added claims for gross negligence and civil conspiracy against the defendants. READ MORE

In 2022, CVS Announced it Would Pay Nearly $500 Million

CVS Health announced on March 30, 2022, that it has entered into an agreement with the State of Florida to resolve claims dating back more than a decade related to prescriptions for opioid medications that were filled at Florida CVS Pharmacy locations.

Under the agreement the company will settle all opioid claims against it by Florida for $484 million, to be paid over a period of 18 years. As a result, CVS Pharmacy will no longer be a defendant in Florida's opioid lawsuit that is scheduled for trial in April 2022.

"Putting these claims behind us is in the best interest of all parties and helps sharpen our focus on delivering a personalized, connected health care experience for the millions of consumers who rely on us," said Thomas Moriarty, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer and General Counsel, CVS Health. "We look forward to continuing our longstanding partnership with the State of Florida in providing programs, services and solutions to reduce the illegitimate use of opioid medications."

Gaetz Out

She was named just hours after former United States State Representative Matt Gaetz withdrew his name for consideration to be President-Elect Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General.

Thursday, Gaetz shared the following to his account X on Thursday:

I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday.  I appreciate their thoughtful feedback - and the incredible support of so many.  While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.  

READ MORE