Missouri Couple Who Won $20M in Popcorn Suit Going Bankrupt

A southwest Missouri couple who won a $20 million verdict from the makers of a butter flavoring used at a popcorn plant have filed for bankruptcy.

The Joplin Globe reports Eric and Cassandra Peoples of Carthage also are being forced to sell the home they built for $3.9 million.

The couple filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in federal court in Springfield. Their petition lists the current value of their residence at $700,000 and personal property assets of nearly $33,000. They claim liabilities of more than $611,000.

The couple won a $20 million verdict in 2004 against International Flavors and Fragrances Inc., and Bush Boake Allen Inc. They claimed Eric Peoples suffered an irreversible lung disease because of the flavoring used at a popcorn plant where he worked.

Latest Comments

• October 25, 2012 at 1:16 pm

  Libby says:

  Catchy little jingle, huh? Makes you remember the number AND the words!
• October 25, 2012 at 1:14 pm

  reality bites says:

  Maybe the reason they ran out of cash was that they listened to the ad and called JG Wentworth @ 877 CASH NOW, saying that "It's MY money, and I want it, NOW" and had to cede ... read more
• October 24, 2012 at 9:30 am

  Libby says:

  After the attorney and taxes, they probably ended up with something more like $7M and the house cost them $4M. So they probably pissed away more like $3M. Still alot of money,... read more