Tupelo attorneys looking to collect damages after Supreme Court ruling

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A twenty-year legal battle to secure damages for victims of 1998 terror attacks ended with a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court reinstating billions of dollars in punitive damages against Sudan.

Attorneys Bill Wheeler and Jamie Franks sued the government of Sudan, for its role funding truck bomb attacks that detonated outside U.S. Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.

The attacks, conducted by Al Qaeda terrorists, killed hundreds and injured thousands. Victims and family members sued Sudan, claiming it should be held financially responsible for helping Al Qaeda carry out the bombings.

On Monday, the U S Supreme Court reinstated $4.3 billion in punitive damages against Sudan. That decision brought the total judgment against Sudan to about $10 billion for victims and their families.

“These terrorists, if you take their money away from them, they are basically thugs on the street and that’s what we need to do is make sure we do that, but we also need to hold countries accountable who support terrorists, and Sudan gave aid, comfort and everything to Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda and helped do this,” said Attorney Jamie Franks.

“We have already gone out and put collection actions, in force against Sudan, we put liens on American companies and other companies that are doing business with Sudan,” said Attorney Bill Wheeler.

The U.S. Solicitor General with President Donald Trump’s administration argued on behalf of plaintiffs in the case.