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Attorney General DeWine Announces $1 Million Settlement with Tobacco Maker

10/5/2011

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said today that the state has reached an agreement with Grand River Enterprises Six Nations LTD in which Grand River deposited into a state escrow account $984,185; paid penalties and post-judgment interest of $1,052,000 to the state General Revenue Fund; and paid attorney fees and costs of $82,000 to his office.

"We are glad to have reached this settlement," said Attorney General DeWine. "It's great news for the state's tobacco enforcement laws and the taxpayers and citizens of Ohio with more than a million dollars going to the General Revenue Fund."

A lawsuit the state filed against Grand River said that the company had failed to establish and fund an escrow account, as required by law, for the sale of its cigarette product in Ohio during 2002 through 2004. Grand River is not currently certified by the Attorney General's Office to sell cigarettes in Ohio.

This negotiated settlement ends the state's suit against Grand River and Grand River's appeal.

Only brands listed in the Attorney General Tobacco Directory may be sold, offered for sale, or possessed for sale in Ohio. A tobacco directory search can be done at the Ohio Attorney General's website in the business services section: www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Services/Business/Tobacco-Directory-Search.

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Media Contacts:

Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Mark Moretti: 614-466-3840

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