TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) _ Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is suing two tobacco companies because she contends that they are failing to pay millions owed under a landmark settlement.
Bondi's office on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against ITG Brands and R.J. Reynolds that asserts the state is owed $45 million and stands to lose $30 million a year going forward unless the court sides with the state.
Nearly two decades ago, several tobacco companies negotiated a multi-billion dollar settlement with Florida to compensate the state for treating sick smokers.
The lawsuit alleges that Reynolds sold the cigarette brands of Winston, Kool and Salem to ITG Brands and that both companies are now refusing to make payments related to those brands.
The move came a day after British American Tobacco announced that it is taking over Reynolds.
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