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How the Sacklers shifted $10.8B of an opioid fortune built on OxyContin

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Re: How the Sacklers shifted $10.8B of an opioid fortune built on OxyContin

#4

If we had a justice system, that $10.8 billion would be recoverable, and used to try to rehabilitate the victims. But we don't have a justice system. We have a legal system, and a financial system.

This is why I am puzzled when people say 'you should fight your battles in the courts, not through protests'. It has always been about who can afford better lawyers, who can win the war of attrition, and a whole lot of luck along the way. Quite a few articles have showed up on HN the past week that reinforce this.

Re: How the Sacklers shifted $10.8B of an opioid fortune built on OxyContin

#5
post #4

If we had a justice system, that $10.8 billion would be recoverable, and used to try to rehabilitate the victims. But we don't have a justice system. We have a legal system, and a financial system.

This is why I am puzzled when people say 'you should fight your battles in the courts, not through protests'. It has always been about who can afford better lawyers, who can win the war of attrition, and a whole lot of luck along the way. Quite a few articles have showed up on HN the past week that reinforce this.

I think, generally, the people saying that are the ones who have the advantage when it comes to court battles...

Re: How the Sacklers shifted $10.8B of an opioid fortune built on OxyContin

#6

If we had a justice system, that $10.8 billion would be recoverable, and used to try to rehabilitate the victims. But we don't have a justice system. We have a legal system, and a financial system.

Don't forget, there is also a reputation system. It should be made clear that whatever the justice system decides, much of their wealth has derived from an activity that was net negative for humanity.

And yes, I have heard that PR companies exist to clean up reputations, but it should be possible to at least make it clear what happened.

I think I read somewhere that a hedge fund had decided not to take an allocation from the Sacklers. That's exactly the kind of thing reputation is supposed to do. It's a blunt instrument, but people deciding to partially ostracize those who have done wrong is how things should work.

Re: How the Sacklers shifted $10.8B of an opioid fortune built on OxyContin

#7
I am not american and I remember hearing about OxyCotin for more around 10 years. So I wonder why controling this problem which casued so many loses of lifes (not necessary deaths), took this long to be the target of the government. I also wonder was there one of these stupid political shows that US is used to them now that was stopping anyone to handle it.

In the long legal battle I do not think this money is going to be recoverable (at least most of it).

Re: How the Sacklers shifted $10.8B of an opioid fortune built on OxyContin

#8
post #3

What this family did was pure evil, they should all be in jail not negotiating a settlement that will leave them financially secure and amongst the richest Americans. Imagine if this scenario played out in China.

I imagine a couple ways this would play out in china

1. nobody ever hears nor finds out anything because it's all kept within the party.

2. they are publically shamed and they are sent to a re-education camp never to be seen or heard again.

my 2 cents...

Re: How the Sacklers shifted $10.8B of an opioid fortune built on OxyContin

#9

If we had a justice system, that $10.8 billion would be recoverable, and used to try to rehabilitate the victims. But we don't have a justice system. We have a legal system, and a financial system.

When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it.

Frédéric Bastiat

Re: How the Sacklers shifted $10.8B of an opioid fortune built on OxyContin

#10
post #8
post #3

What this family did was pure evil, they should all be in jail not negotiating a settlement that will leave them financially secure and amongst the richest Americans. Imagine if this scenario played out in China.

I imagine a couple ways this would play out in china 1. nobody ever hears nor finds out anything because it's all kept within the party. 2. they are publically shamed and they are sent to a re-education camp never to be seen or heard again. my 2 cents...

I assumed they’d be executed on the spot for knowingly enriching themselves while addicting millions, leaving them to slowly decline mentally and physically before eventual death.

China would have zero tolerance due to their opium history that was imposed by the west. This is even more insidious however as the country’s institutions were mislead and this family made billions on the back of their countrymen’s misery.

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