Case Description
Defendant companies were manufacturers and distributors of commercial tissue products. Plaintiff States alleged that competing manufacturers of commercial tissue products conspired to fix prices for commercial tissue sold to schools, hospitals, prisons, hotels, restaurants and other large scale purchasers. Parties agreed to settlement terms first with Florida for nearly $3 million, then with the remaining three States for over $1 million in cash and free product. Defendants were also enjoined for 5 years from entering, furthering, or enforcing any contract, plan or conspiracy with competitors to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize the prices, discounts or rebates for commercial tissue products. The bulk of Florida’s cash settlement went to state agencies. The U.S. Department of Justice also participated in the investigation. See also Maryland v. Kimberly-Clark Corp., et al. No. 24-C-99-004904 (Cir. Ct. for the City of Baltimore 1999); West Virginia ex rel. McGraw v. Kimberly-Clark Corporation, et al., No. 99-C-2349 (Cir. Ct. Kanawha Cty. 2000)