The US Department of Justice charged Purdue with conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and with two counts of conspiracy to violate the federal Anti-Kickback Statute in connection with its marketing and sale of opioid products.
24 November 2020 to today · 6 dated events · 8 sources
Where it stands now · as of 30 October 2026
As of 30 October 2026 Purdue's plan has been in effect since 1 May 2026, its operations are run by Knoa Pharma, and its criminal sentence was imposed on 28 April 2026.
Overview · 24 Nov 2020 to 1 May 2026 · click a dot to jump
2020
24 Nov 2020
Legal step
Purdue pleads guilty to three felonies
Guilty plea to three-count information. Purdue pleaded guilty to one count of dual object conspiracy to defraud the United States and violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and two counts of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute. The agreement provided for a $3.544 billion criminal fine and $2 billion forfeiture, plus a $2.8 billion civil False Claims Act claim. Sackler family members separately agreed to pay $225 million to resolve civil False Claims Act liability, and the resolution did not cover any individual's criminal liability.
Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P., No. 23-124. By 5 to 4, in an opinion by Justice Gorsuch, the Court held the Bankruptcy Code does not authorise a release and injunction that effectively discharges claims against a nondebtor without the affected claimants' consent, rejecting the earlier plan's Sackler releases.
Order confirming the Eighteenth Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan, Case No. 19-23649 (SHL), ECF No. 8263. The plan provides about $7.4 billion in cash to creditors, with Sackler family contributions of up to $6.5 to $7 billion over time and up to $865 million for individual victims. Creditors could choose whether to release direct claims against Sackler family members, according to Purdue and counsel summaries.
Sentencing of Purdue Pharma L.P.. Purdue was sentenced to a $3.544 billion criminal fine to be assessed through the bankruptcy and $2 billion forfeiture, with up to $1.775 billion credited if Purdue emerged as a public benefit company or similar entity.
Plan takes effect and Knoa Pharma begins operating
Announcement of Purdue shutdown and start of Knoa Pharma. Knoa Pharma, a public benefit company owned by the nonprofit Knoa Foundation, took over Purdue's operations. Sackler family members have no role and are barred from selling opioids in the US. Sackler payments continue in 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Last updated 30 October 2026. Spotted an error? See corrections. Every event links to the record it comes from. Allegations are attributed to whoever made them.