A proposed agreement with opioid distributors and one manufacturer would direct about $400 million to Wisconsin’s state and local governments, if approved.
The proposed agreement, announced by state Attorney General Josh Kaul and the Wisconsin Counties Association on Wednesday, stems from a multistate investigation Kaul joined in March 2019 into the business practices of opioid distributors, as well as litigation brought by cities and counties across the country, including 71 of 72 Wisconsin counties and more than a dozen Wisconsin cities and villages.
The multistate investigation looked into whether opioid distributors fulfilled their legal obligation to refuse to ship opioids to pharmacies that submitted suspicious drug orders and whether Johnson & Johnson misled patients and doctors about the addictive nature of opioid drugs.
The agreement was reached with Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen, the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors. It comes on the heels of a proposed $4.3 billion settlement agreement that Kaul and officials in 14 other states reached with the Sackler family and their company, opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma, for prevention and recovery efforts that would direct about $65 million to Wisconsin.
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The $26 billion proposed deal announced on Wednesday also includes a settlement with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured and marketed opioids.
“A priority of mine and the Wisconsin Department of Justice in addressing the opioid epidemic is to hold the companies that engaged in unlawful conduct and contributed to the epidemic accountable for their role in the epidemic, both because that’s the right thing to do, but also because the companies made very significant profits in their conduct that contributed to the epidemic, and recovering those resources and getting them to communities in Wisconsin to fight the epidemic is going to help us support efforts to provide treatment and recovery and prevention programs,” Kaul said.
The agreement would resolve the claims of both states and local governments across the country, including the nearly 4,000 that have filed lawsuits in federal and state courts against the opioid distributors.
The agreement only represents one subset of defendants in the opioid litigation, and future settlement agreements with other companies involved in the opioid epidemic, such as pharmacies, are possible.
As part of the agreement, the three opioid distributors will collectively pay up to $21 billion over 18 years, and Johnson & Johnson will pay up to $5 billion over nine years, with up to $3.7 billion paid during the first three years. Wisconsin’s $400 million share, which may fluctuate slightly upon finalization, is determined by a formula that accounts for the state’s overdose deaths, people with substance abuse disorder, opioids prescribed and the population of the state.
The money is intended to be used on opioid treatment and prevention.
The agreement, if approved, would also require Cardinal, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen to provide state regulators with data about where drugs are distributed and how often; detect suspicious opioid orders from pharmacies; terminate pharmacies’ ability to receive shipments when they show signs of diversion; and prohibit shipping of and report suspicious opioid orders.
It would also force the distribution companies to prohibit sales staff from influencing decisions related to identifying suspicious opioid orders.
The 10-year agreement would force Johnson & Johnson to stop selling opioids, not fund or provide grants to third parties for promoting opioids, not lobby on activities related to opioids and share clinical trial data with the Yale University Open Data Access Project.
States have 30 days to decide whether to participate in the settlement. If enough states agree, then counties and cities can accept the terms.
If the agreement is accepted, Kaul and an attorney for the Wisconsin Counties Association said they believe the settlement funds would be distributed according to the terms set out in a law recently signed by Gov. Tony Evers.
Under the law, the state must work with counties on settlements to lawsuits they have filed separately against opioid manufacturers and distributors. The law requires 70% of any settlement to go to local governments and 30% to the state. And all of the money would have to be spent on opioid abuse, no other government programs.
Get to know the Wisconsin Badgers' 2022 football recruiting class
MYLES BURKETT

Franklin quarterback Myles Burkett was the first oral commitment of UW's 2022 recruiting class.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM❤️ #COMMITTED pic.twitter.com/WTTxsW9EE1
— ⚡️Myles Burkett⚡️ (@therealmylesb10) January 30, 2021
Myles Burkett became the Badgers’ first Class of 2022 recruit when he announced his decision in January.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from Franklin is a three-star recruit per 247Sports and Rivals, and showed great mobility and arm strength in his junior season. He battled back from a knee injury as a sophomore to throw for 1,236 and 11 touchdowns and rush for 180 yards and a score in a pandemic-shortened season.
He’s the first in-state quarterback to earn a scholarship out of high school since 2011.
The Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year is STAYING HOME!@myles_burkett is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/i8PCNlFvwQ
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
BARRETT NELSON

Rio/Fall River's Barrett Nelson (79) overpowers a Brookfield Academy lineman as he pressures Blue Knights quarterback Jonah Jensen (3) during a game in October 2020.
Home grown❤️🤍#committed @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/xhPgpZRQOf
— Barrett Nelson (@BarrettNelson9) June 21, 2021
As his recruiting stock started to rise, the Badgers were able to secure a commitment from Fall Rivers’ Barrett Nelson in late June.
The offensive tackle was 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds after his junior season, and his quickness off the ball has made him a load on both the offensive and defensive lines. Nelson is a three-star recruit per 247Sports and a two-star on Rivals.
He had offers from Iowa State, Northwestern, Nebraska, Purdue and others before choosing UW.
Nelson’s father, Todd, was a Badgers offensive lineman in the late 1980s, and his brother, Jack, is currently an offensive lineman for UW.
Nelly 2.0! Pumped for Barrett to join the squad@BarrettNelson9 is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/RDBK8tXY6A
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
JT SEAGREAVES

Excited to announce I am officially a Wisconsin Badger!🔴⚪️ @BadgerFootball #Committed pic.twitter.com/AotFjncvN3
— JTSeagreaves (@JtSeagreaves) June 21, 2021
After wowing UW coaches at a pair of camps, Monroe tight end JT Seagreaves accepted a scholarship offer in late June.
Seagreaves is an intriguing prospect for the Badgers — at 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, he has the physical frame to grow into an imposing tight end, and he possesses sprinter speeds. He’s averaged more than 21 yards per catch each of the past two seasons and was starting to gain more Power Five conference interested when he committed to UW.
Seagreaves is a three-star recruit per 247Sports and a two-star according to Rivals.
There’s a new JT in town! @JtSeagreaves is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/qncDo10TG6
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
CADE YACAMELLI
HOME!!! 🔴⚪️ #Committed pic.twitter.com/2r6BpgDuAI
— Cade Yacamelli (@cyacamelli) June 21, 2021
In multiple trips to UW’s campus in June, Cade Yacamelli was called “a football player” by UW coaches rather than locking him into a position. He earned a scholarship offer after an impressive camp workout and accepted it in late June.
The consensus three-star athlete was starting to earn more recruiting attention from Power Five schools when he accepted the Badgers’ offer. UW was the first Power Five offer for the 6-foot, 200-pounder. He’s played receiver, running back and defensive back in high school, but likely projects as a receiver or defensive back in college.
The Penn Trafford High School product has good quickness and change-of-direction that make him dangerous with the ball in his hands.
This Pennsylvania state champ is a BADGER@Cyacamelli is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/olZIkXtjC8
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
A’KHOURY LYDE

MADTOWN WHAT’S UP!!!! pic.twitter.com/VH4GuSLe4j
— A’khoury Z. Lyde (@Akhoury17) June 22, 2021
When A’Khoury Lyde accepted a UW scholarship offer in late June, he became the first player on the defensive side of the ball to commit in the 2022 class.
Lyde (5-foot-11, 170 pounds), a consensus three-star recruit, has strong ball skills and a willingness to hit that separates him from other cornerbacks.
The Wayne, New Jersey, native is the eighth-ranked player in his state, per Rivals.
This New Jersey boy is officially a Badger!@Akhoury17 is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/menIcOEvgY
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
TOMMY MCINTOSH

#AGTG committed 110%‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/u3BRLBakbn
— Tommy McIntosh (@TMcIntosh44) June 23, 2021
The Badgers landed a tall, speedy receiver when Tommy McIntosh committed in late June.
The DeWitt, Michigan, native stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 200 pounds. He uses his body to shield off defenders at the point of the catch and does well catching the ball away from his body. His Hudl page lists a 4.47-second 40-yard dash time, and he has breakaway speed when he gets in the open field and can use his long strides.
A consensus three-star wide receiver chose the Badgers over offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Iowa, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest.
Bringing that championship mentality to Madison 💯@Tmcintosh44 is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/9i7F88ypj2
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
CURTIS NEAL
Thank you mamma. Now dry your eyes, you made a man of I❤️ pic.twitter.com/vNj7Smipek
— Curtis Neal (@CurtisNeal97) June 25, 2021
UW beefed up its defensive front by landing defensive tackle Curtis Neal.
Neal — a 6-foot-2, 310-pounder — had more than 25 scholarship offers, and reportedly was deciding between UW and Ohio State at the end of his recruiting process. Neal is a product of William Amos Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina, where the Badgers found receiver Devin Chandler in the 2020 cycle.
Neal, with his size and strength, likely fits best as a nose tackle in the Badgers’ 3-4 scheme.
LESGOO CURT! @Curtisneal97 is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/oNPc0KzQn8
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
AVYONNE JONES
Blessed pic.twitter.com/sCVuz8Il0P
— Avyonne Jones (@AvyonneJ) June 28, 2021
Jim Leonhard may have found another rangy, smart cornerback to add to his secondary in Avyonne Jones, who committed in to UW in late June.
Jones — who hails from Southlake, Texas — was on campus the weekend of June 18 for an official visit and had narrowed an extensive offer list to UW and California. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound defensive back was previously committed to Oklahoma State, but retracted that commitment in late May.
With good recovery speed and a good feel for getting his hands between a receiver’s at the point of the catch, the consensus three-star prospect is a good fit for what UW cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat said he wants from his position group.
Texas → Madison … he’s coming home!@AvyonneJ is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/b2TjTCNJFX
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
JOE BRUNNER

I’m staying home‼️‼️110% committed to the University of Wisconsin #BADA22BADGERS
— Joe Brunner (@brunnerjoe_) June 29, 2021
Photo credit:@Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/1Cr9PJgULK
The Badgers landed the top-ranked player in Wisconsin for the sixth consecutive recruiting class when Joe Brunner committed the last week of June.
Brunner — a 6-foot-6, 300-pound prospect from Milwaukee who attends Whitefish Bay High School — is a consensus four-star recruit and a top-10 offensive tackle in the nation.
He held at least 16 Power Five scholarship offers, including ones from a majority of the Big Ten Conference, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon and Tennessee.
Top OL in Wisconsin award winner? Seems like a good fit here 😉@brunnerjoe_ is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/N1jiYDqK4Y
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
VINNY ANTHONY II

#OnWisconsin🔥 @LMHSCoachWolfe @MaleBulldogs @coachnatejones pic.twitter.com/mIV73dWo6K
— Vinny Anthony II (@VinnyAnthony1) June 30, 2021
Receiver Vinny Anthony II — a consensus three-star receiver prospect from Louisville, Kentucky — joined UW's class on June 30.
Possessing a good burst of speed and long arms that extend his catch radius, the 6-foot-1, 170-pound Anthony has a chance to play across the formation as a receiver.
Anthony chose UW over Cincinnati and Duke.
Louisville → Madison … we’ve got a Kentucky guy!@VinnyAnthony1 is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/xXrazH7Oz7
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
AUSTIN BROWN
125% committed🦡‼️ #OnWisconsin @BadgerFootball pic.twitter.com/B9OV9lBLjX
— Austin Brown (@austintyler_25) July 4, 2021
Austin Brown — who hails from Johnston City, Illinois, a small town outside of Carbondale — was considering offers from Boston College, Illinois, Michigan and Northwestern before choosing UW. The consensus three-star safety prospect had 21 known scholarship offers.
Brown committed to UW on the Fourth of July.
At 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds, he has a good frame already and his high school film shows a willingness to lay big hits and attack blockers. He also plays quarterback for Johnston City.
MVP headed to Madison!@austintyler_25 is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/9B6I5asQW2
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
TRISTAN MONDAY

After much discussion and thought, Tristan has changed his commitment and will be accepting a football scholarship offer from the University of Wisconsin. He has the utmost respect and admiration for the University of Arizona but this is an opportunity he cannot ignore. pic.twitter.com/hqf8GGqZwp
— Tim Monday (@pappamonday) November 16, 2021
UW added an athletic defensive line prospect in mid-November when Tristan Monday flipped his commitment from Arizona to the Badgers.
UW was interested in Monday since he arrived in high school, but his size then didn't lend itself to a natural position fit in the Badgers' defense. Now standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds, he'll start his career as a defensive end. UW offered him a scholarship in early November and he accepted it after visiting campus Nov. 12-14.
Monday is a consensus three-star recruit from Scottsdale, Arizona, who had offers from Arizona, Baylor, Colorado, Florida State and Iowa State.
Mondays, am I right?!
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
Tristan is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/DwUDcY66bt
AIDAN VAUGHAN
All glory to god🙏
— Aidan Vaughan (@AidanVaughan5) November 22, 2021
100% committed ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/y8gaSuDbmb
Vaughan, a 6-foot-4 linebacker from Wixom, Michigan, committed to UW in late November, choosing the Badgers over offers from programs like Colorado, Florida State, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and others.
Vaughan is rated as a three-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals.
Vaughan has been a late-riser on the recruiting trail, with all of his Power Five offers coming since October, but he has potential to be an inside or outside linebacker for the Badgers. He could fill the big-bodied outside ‘backer role that C.J. Goetz currently has for UW or could be a hybrid type of linebacker like UW pulled in with Jake Ratzlaff in the 2021 cycle.
Our guy is coming home!@AidanVaughan5 is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/zryRWLlo6o
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 15, 2021
ISAAC HAMM

Sun Prairie's Isaac Hamm (24)
Staying home. #OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/DwgI05yZzI
— isaac hamm (@isaachamm24) December 16, 2021
Sun Prairie’s Isaac Hamm has decided his best college football option was the one closest to him.
The area product committed to UW in the December signing window and is a four-star prospect per 247Sports and ESPN, and a three-star on Rivals. The 6-foot-5, 240-pounder held offers from nine Big Ten schools, among others.
Hamm helped Sun Prairie go 6-0 in the WIAA’s modified spring season as a junior and then 14-1 this fall en route to a WIAA Division 1 state championship game appearance. He’s young in his career as defensive lineman, but has the speed and length to create pressure off the edge.
We've been waitin' for this one! HE’S A BADGER! @Isaachamm24 is in the game - Welcome to the Wisconsin family! pic.twitter.com/KPOer28WZA
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) December 16, 2021
CHRIS BROOKS JR.

Go Badgers #OnWisconsin #badgers @BadgerFootball @CoachWhitted pic.twitter.com/jpJssTaOij
— Chris Brooks Jr. (@chris_brooksjr2) February 1, 2022
Chris Brooks Jr., a three-star wide out from St. Louis, Missouri, flipped his commitment from Yale to UW on Tuesday. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound prospect was a first-team all-state player in Missouri after catching 21 touchdowns as a senior.
He possesses good speed and has strong hands at the point of the catch, and uses his physicality well to create space to catch the ball.
Brooks’ father, Chris Brooks Sr., played at Nebraska and for parts of two seasons in the NFL.