Circuit Court Judge Richard Siebel ruled in March on requests to disqualify certain groups from the proposed settlement of a lawsuit brought by vegans and vegetarians against McDonald’s over beef flavoring used in its fries.
Animal rights and vegetarian groups complained that some of the 26 groups slated to receive funds from the settlement were anti-vegetarian groups and as such did not deserve to receive any share of the award.
Judge Siebel ignored those complaints, but did disqualify three organizations based on potential conflicts of interest. These were,
- The National Ramah Commission — a Jewish organization that was disqualified because one of McDonald’s attorneys serves on its board
- Arya Pratinidhi Sabha America — a Hindu organization disqualified because the mother of two of the plaintiffs’ lawyers and the son of another are involved with the group
- The Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — disqualified because the daughter of one of the lawyers attends the university
The attorneys in the case must now decide whether to ask that the money that would have went to these groups go to different groups or whether, instead, the awards to the remaining 23 groups be increased.
Not surprisingly the attorney for the vegetarians who had objections to some of the groups was not pleased. Michael Hyman told the Chicago Sun Times, “We still have a beef. . . . We will review our options.” Assuming the settlement groups remain as they are now, this means there will likely be an appeal.
Source:
Judge cuts 3 groups from $10 mil. McD settlement. Sandra Guy, Chicago Sun-Times, March 26, 2003.