Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty

By 2019, when “nearly every state in the nation was suing Purdue,” the Sacklers sought a “global resolution” of all litigation, where they would “admit to no wrongdoing whatsoever” (394-96). Attorney General Maura Healey’s team was particularly incensed by the Sacklers’ proposal to transfer ownership of Purdue to the states, so that the very entities which had sued the company would now be selling opioids, instead of the Sacklers. Some of the states were disgusted by the offer, but all of the litigants faced a deadline: If the offer were declined, the Sacklers would simply declare bankruptcy, guaranteeing an end to the lawsuit and minimal funds for the plaintiffs.

In spring 2020, Joss Sackler launched her fashion line at New York Fashion Week, attempting to get actress and singer Courtney Love to attend as a publicity measure. This backfired when Love, who had a history of struggles with addiction, as did her late husband Kurt Cobain, learned who Sackler was.

Purdue filed for bankruptcy when settlement negotiations went past their preferred timetable. The company carefully strategized the jurisdiction, maneuvering to the court of bankruptcy judge Robert Drain, who would ensure that the bankruptcy proceedings would be highly technical, ignoring any ethical issues raised by the company’s conduct.