Franklin County Commission backs Drug Dealer Liability Act lawsuit and retention of counsel
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Summary
By roll call vote the commission endorsed a lawsuit under Tennessee's Drug Dealer Liability Act, directed coordination with elected prosecutors, and approved retaining outside counsel to pursue recovery related to opioid-distribution impacts in the county.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 19 to support litigation seeking damages under Tennessee's Drug Dealer Liability Act and to retain counsel to pursue recovery on the county's behalf.
Resolution 1bb-0121, introduced from the floor and approved by roll call (14-0), expresses the commission's support for ongoing litigation and authorizes continued representation through the law firm identified in the resolution packet. The sponsoring language states the county has been affected by opioid distribution and the associated public-health and public-safety consequences, and it directs county coordination with the District Attorney General and the retained plaintiffs' counsel.
The resolution notes that an action originally brought in 2017 through Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC (on behalf of a named plaintiff) is pending in Cumberland County Circuit Court; the commission's vote authorizes Franklin County to appear as a named plaintiff and supports continuation of the suit.
Commissioners said they would coordinate with District Attorney Mike Taylor and the named counsel; the county clerk recorded the resolution and certificate of election for the record. The resolution passed with no recorded votes against it.
The commission did not appropriate litigation proceeds or alter the county budget during the same session; any recovery would be subject to later appropriation and oversight.