Attorney General launches online claims process for Rock Salt Settlement Funds
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has announced a new online claims process to allow local governments throughout the state to request a share of an $11.5 million settlement with Morton Salt Inc. and Cargill Inc. over past rock salt sales to public purchasers.
Ohio public entities that bought rock salt from Cargill or Morton between July 2008 and June 2011 may be eligible to receive a share of the settlement. In order to receive settlement money, agencies must submit a claim to the Attorney General’s Office listing their eligible salt purchases.
The deadline to submit a claim is August 7, 2015.
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Claims can be completed and submitted online at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/RockSalt.
“We worked hard to ensure that this settlement would benefit local governments and the people they serve,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We want to get this money into the hands of local governments as soon as we can, and we want to make sure that each community gets its fair share of available funds.”
Attorney General DeWine’s office is sending letters to Ohio public entities believed to have contracted with Morton or Cargill to buy rock salt during the eligible timeframe. Additional purchasers may be affected, and any eligible public purchasers are encouraged to submit a claim.
Following the claims period, the office will allocate settlement proceeds proportionally, based on the amount of salt an agency purchased during the July 2008-June 2011 time period. Settlement checks likely will be mailed to local government agencies later this year.
Attorney General DeWine announced the settlement with Morton Salt and Cargill on June 3, 2015, to resolve a 2012 antitrust lawsuit, which had accused the two companies of dividing up Ohio’s rock salt market causing state and local public purchasers to pay more for the rock salt they use to treat icy roads. Under the settlement, Morton Salt and Cargill agreed to pay a total of $11.5 million.
The settlement claim form and frequently asked questions can be found at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/RockSalt.