Colorado expands opioid lawsuit to include Sackler family

DENVER (AP) — Colorado's lawsuit accusing the maker of OxyContin of fueling and profiting from the opioid epidemic has been expanded to include allegations against former Purdue Pharma executives and members the Sackler family who own the company.

Attorney General Phil Weiser announced the amended lawsuit Monday. It builds on one filed in September and alleges violations of the state's newly strengthened consumer protection act and other laws.

It was filed under seal because of a confidentiality agreement with the Connecticut-based company. However Weiser has asked the court to release it because he says much of the information has been disclosed in similar lawsuits around the country.

Purdue Pharma denied the allegations and pointed to a victory in a similar lawsuit in North Dakota in May.