A lawyer who accused an Alabama coal company of human-rights abuses in Colombia was hit with a $256 million jury verdict amid evidence plaintiff witnesses were paid for their testimony and a competing mining firm had an interest in the case.

Drummond Co. has been fighting attorney Terrence Collingsworth for more than a decade over claims it paid militia to guard its lucrative coal mine in Colombia. Collingsworth was successful in suing Chiquita over similar claims but now faces a huge verdict thanks to emails and other documents Drummond’s lawyers uncovered during years of litigation. Another law firm active in human-rights lawsuits, Conrad & Scherer, settled on the eve of trial.

This report was produced by Legal Newsline and distributed by The Center Square as part of a content-sharing agreement. Reach editor John O’Brien at john.obrien@therecordinc.com. Reach editor John O’Brien at john.obrien@therecordinc.com.

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