User talk:Ssuper77

Altria Group Inc.'s Philip Morris USA, the world's biggest cigarette maker, will get back $2.15 billion in cash after the reversal of a $10.1 billion damage award against the company in an Illinois court. The Illinois Supreme Court ordered the return of the funds, used to secure an appeal bond in the case, after declining last month to reconsider its decision to reverse a case brought by smokers of "light" cigarettes, New York-based Altria said Monday.

In December, Illinois' highest court reversed a decision by a lower court judge who said Philip Morris "intended to deceive consumers" into believing its Marlboro Lights and Cambridge Lights were safer than regular brands.

A $6 billion note, which also secured the 2003 judgment, also will be returned if the plaintiff's appeals aren't heard.

The suit, known as the Price case, for lead plaintiff Sharon Price, was one of three court cases that have delayed Altria's announced intention to split up the company.

Altria and other U.S. cigarette makers are also awaiting decisions in the appeal of a $145 billion punitive damage case in Florida and in a federal civil racketeering trial in Washington.