Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement Talks Break Down; NFL Star Antonio Brown Accused of Rape by Ex-Trainer.
BERMAN: We have new reporting this morning on the Sackler family who owns Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of oxycontin, which has been at the center of opioid controversy around this country for years, there's been discussion that the family could give up ownership and pay billions of dollars of their own personal wealth to settle thousands of opioid lawsuits, but reports about those discussions may be premature. CNN's Jean Casarez here to explain the surprise twist -- Jean.</s>JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, the first trial in the national prescription opiate litigation is set to begin in October. If the pharmaceutical manufacturer distributor wants to negotiate a settlement before trial, now is the time. More than 2,000 states, counties, municipalities, and Native American governments have all come together, suing opioid companies, including pharmaceutical giant Purdue Pharma. Purdue Pharma has confirmed to CNN that they have been involved in settlement talks, but now, in a letter provided to CNN by a person with knowledge of those ongoing negotiations, two state attorney generals involved in the talks with the Sackler family, owners of Purdue Pharma, are saying that the Sacklers cannot reach a deal, and negotiations have broken down. According to the letter, the Sacklers have rejected two proposals, which included a payment of $4.5 billion to creditors and to the states. No counteroffers were given. The attorneys general from Tennessee and North Carolina also write that they expect Purdue Pharma to file for bankruptcy protection imminently to preserve the value of the company. A Purdue spokesperson reaffirmed to CNN that the company wants to settle and believes a settlement that benefits the American public now is a far better path than years of wasteful litigation and appeals. Several manufacturers have already settled in this national litigation. It accuses drug manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and practitioners of mishandling hundreds of millions of opioid doses over the 20 years. Of course, the first opioid case to go to trial in Oklahoma resulted in a verdict just last month. Johnson & Johnson is liable for the opioid crisis in the Sooner State and must pay at least $572 million. Interesting, before that trial began, Purdue Pharma negotiated a settlement of $270 million -- John, Alisyn.</s>BERMAN: All right. Important developments, Jean. And we are going to just stay on this. Thanks so much. Breaking overnight, new controversy surrounding the New England Patriots. A former trainer for new Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown has accused him of rape in a federal civil lawsuit filed in Florida. The allegations of rape and sexual assault come just one day -- one day after Brown was signed by the Patriots after being released by the Oakland Raiders.</s>CAMEROTA: Joining us now, CNN sports analyst Christine Brennan. She's a sports analyst for "USA Today." Christine, here we are again. We've had these conversations before. This complaint from this woman against Antonio Brown is explicit. It's graphic. It sounds violent. But as far as we can tell, she didn't go to the police but she's filing this lawsuit now. What do the Patriots do today?</s>CHRISTINE BRENNAN, CNN SPORTS ANALYST: Well, what the Patriots -- Alisyn, what does the NFL do? Obviously, this is very serious, and we should listen to women. And if we've learned anything during the #MeToo era, that is it. And so what Britney Taylor is saying, it's important to listen to. The text messages are graphic. They're in the -- in the lawsuit, and they would seem to at least corroborate one of the three alleged incidents. We don't know, obviously. There's a lot to find out. But with the National Football League five years almost to the day since the Ray Rice punch and that, of course, was domestic violence. That was something separate but, nonetheless, the issue of women and how women are treated. The NFL is a mirror on our society. And I just don't see how the National Football League cannot get Antonio Brown out of the way, put him on the commissioner's exempt list. This has commissioner's exempt list, guys, written all over it. Get him out of the way. What that means is he's paid, but he's not on the roster. It's up to Roger Goodell to do this. There's no indication yet he is going to do it. But with the 100th anniversary of the National Football League, everyone focusing on the positives, especially how they treat women. Wow, can you imagine what it would look like, a visual if he is on the field this weekend against the Miami Dolphins? That, I think, is something the NFL just cannot stand to have happen.</s>BERMAN: And we don't know if he's going to show up to practice today. The Patriots do have practice today. Let me do two things, because You said, Christine, that it's important to give a voice to these accusers. Let me read part of her statement here. She says, "As a rape victim of Antonio Brown, deciding to speak out has been an incredibly difficult decision. I have found strength in my faith, my family, and from the accounts of other survivors of sexual assault. Speaking out removes the shame that I have felt for the last year and places it on the person responsible for my rape. I will cooperate with the NFL and any other agencies; however, at this time, I respectfully request the media please respect my privacy." Now, as for Antonio Brown has denied it, and the Patriots put out this statement. And this is interesting. They said, "We are aware of the civil lawsuit that was filed earlier today by -- against Antonio Brown as well as the response by Antonio's representatives. We take these allegations very seriously. Under no circumstances does this organization condone sexual violence or assault. The league has informed us that they will be investigating. We'll have no further comment while that investigation takes place." So the league is investigating, Christine. Does that mean that it's over today? It's over this weekend? It could take all season. And what happens if the Patriots just wait this out?</s>BRENNAN: John, as you know, an investigation both of you know this is not going to be a day or two. This is -- and it's important, by the way, that she says she wants to cooperate. That is very helpful to the National Football League and, I think, is very helpful to getting to the bottom of this. You know, the idea that the Patriots want to investigate -- or, you know, the league is going to investigate and look into this, this is also something that's a bombshell, basically. Let's just call it what it is. And it just happened overnight. This is 12 hours old, not even 12 hours old. So I think everyone is trying to figure out what's happening. Again, I don't see any scenario. Well, there are scenarios where I could see where he's playing on Sunday. And of course, you're innocent until proven guilty. Of course. I mean, that goes without saying. But this is not a court of law in this case. This is about the optics for the National Football League. And the NFL has -- we've done these a zillion times. I've been on with you talking about the National Football League and how it relates to women, and of course, the fan base for women. Forty-five percent of the fan base is women in the NFL. That's hardly the issue when we're talking about alleged sexual assault and alleged rape. But this is absolutely a nightmare, and this is going to require leadership. It's going to require Roger Goodell and the leaders of the National Football League and the Patriots to work together. But again, I'll just say. Picture the scene if he is on the field with these text messages and with this -- these very serious allegations, this lawsuit that should be taken seriously by, obviously, everyone, every fan, every Patriots fan, and anyone who cares about the National Football League or cares about women.</s>CAMEROTA: Sounds like a lot might develop between now and the weekend. Christine, thank you very much --</s>BRENNAN: Thank you.</s>CAMEROTA: -- for this conversation.</s>BERMAN: I think watch the next few hours. I mean, watch the next few hours. Watch and see if he is at the Patriots practice. If he is, I think it means that they're just going to go forward. If he's not, then maybe he ends up on the exempt list, like Christine Brennan is saying.</s>CAMEROTA: OK. Meanwhile, a sixth person has now died from vaping- related lung disease. This is prompting another major medical group to warn people to stop using e-cigarettes immediately. Are children being put at a higher risk of danger than just with cigarettes? We have all of that next.