Attorney General Alan Wilson defends transparency in asbestos litigation

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson is leading an 11-state friend-of-the-court brief to the Delaware Supreme Court, raising serious concerns that certain asbestos bankruptcy trusts are planning to destroy documents and data related to past claims and compensation payments.

“Documents like these are important to preserving information for individuals and businesses alike,” Attorney General Wilson said. “Transparency and fairness are critical in litigation, and by allowing these documents to be destroyed, we are opening the door to corrupting the legal process.

Several states have enacted laws to improve transparency in asbestos trust claims. However, if these records are destroyed, it could undermine those laws and potentially obstruct the ability of individuals and the courts to adjudicate.

“Our goal should be to do what is ethical and legal,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “It’s commendable to protect personal information. But the complete elimination of these documents would have great harm on the integrity of the legal process.”

Attorney General Wilson led the letter and was joined by the attorneys general from Delaware, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas.

You can read the brief here.