Judging by the size of the settlement, they performed an outstanding job. It's just too much. The money paid by the tobacco companies to the lawyers reduces the amount the tobacco companies would have been willing to pay the state to settle the suit. While the legal fees will not come from the state treasury, strictly speaking, the lawyers could wind up getting 15 percent of the billions that may eventually go to reimburse the federal Medicaid program. That's money taken directly from the pockets of every American taxpayer.
Morales deserves credit for bringing the state's successful suit against the tobacco companies.
The state treasury and the health of its citizens will be better off. But Morales is not a physician or public health specialist. It's a shame he made spending decisions he was not qualified or constitutionally entitled to make.