Letitia James celebrates $44 million win

New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated a $44 million win for New Yorkers.

James, who rose to national prominence over her civil case against former President Donald Trump, joined 42 attorneys general across the United States in a case against Johnson & Johnson, accusing the company of “deceptively marketing and selling” baby powder and baby powder products that contained talcum powder.

Talcum powder has been used in personal care products to absorb moisture, prevent caking, and make facial makeup opaque, but critics have raised concerns about whether the ingredient carries potential health risks, including heightened risks of cancer due to potential asbestos contamination.

The lawsuit alleged that Johnson & Johnson targeted beauty salons and churches in communities of color to sell products containing talcum powder. On Tuesday, the coalition of attorneys general announced that the company would pay $700 million to their states and agreed to stop manufacturing and selling products containing talcum in the U.S.

James celebrated the settlement, which will include $44 million for New York, in a statement.

“Targeting communities with cosmetic products that contain dangerous substances is not just illegal, it is very cruel,” James said.

She wrote that “no amount of money can undo the pain caused by J&J’s talc-laced products,” but that “families can rest assured that the company is being held accountable for the harm it caused.”

“Its dangerous products will no longer be on shelves in New York,” she wrote. “Those that prey on our communities, hurt their health, and violate our laws will be met with the full force of my office.”

Newsweek reached out to James’ office for further comment via email.

In a statement provided to Newsweek, Johnson & Johnson’s Worldwide Vice President of Litigation Erik Haas wrote, “Consistent with the plan we outlined last year, the Company continues to pursue several paths to achieve a comprehensive and final resolution of the talc litigation.”

“That progress includes the finalization of a previously announced agreement that the Company reached with a consortium of 43 State Attorneys Generals to resolve their talc claims. We will continue to address the claims of those who do not want to participate in our contemplated consensual bankruptcy resolution through litigation or settlement,” he said.

Johnson & Johnson did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement, Reuters reported. The case was led by Florida, North Carolina and Texas. The company has faced prior lawsuits over its use of talcum powder.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that studies suggest “a possible association between the use of powders containing talc in the genital area and the incidence of ovarian cancer” but that “more research is needed to confirm if there is a link or not.”