Press Kit - Press Release
Contacts: Susan Holden Walsh, HoldenMcClurePR, 303-449-2526
Stephanie Kelso, President, Z-Axis, 303-713-0200
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUDGE RULES AGAINST THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY IN RACKETEERING
AND CONSPIRACY TRIAL-- Z-AXIS PROVIDED TRIAL AND PRESENTATION
STRATEGY FOR THE UNITED STATES IN THIS UNIQUE TRIAL
WASHINGTON, DC and DENVER, CO, August 18, 2006…U.S.
District Judge Gladys Kessler ruled Thursday that the tobacco
industry engaged in racketeering, finding in favor of the
government in its lawsuit against the tobacco industry in
a 1,653-page ruling. Kessler said the tobacco companies had
engaged in a decades-long conspiracy to hide the dangers of
smoking, and ordered them to take out newspaper ads detailing
smoking's health effects. The companies were also ordered
to stop using such descriptors as "low tar," "light,"
ultra light," "mild" or "natural"
that might imply it is not dangerous.
Z-Axis, one of the top legal presentation strategy firms
(www.zaxis.com), is proud to announce that it worked with
the Department of Justice on behalf of the United States of
America, in its precedent setting case against the U.S. tobacco
industry. Z-Axis’ CEO, Al Treibitz served as lead presentation
strategy consultant on the case, as his firm provided presentation
strategy and visual demonstratives in what was truly an interesting
case. “The nature of the case itself was quite unusual,”
shared Treibitz. “Accusing major, long-standing United
States and foreign companies of racketeering is unprecedented.”
The United States filed the case in 1999, United States of
America vs. Phillip Morris et al, accusing the Defendants
of 50 years of conspiring and committing fraud under the Racketeer
Influenced and Corrupt Organizations ("RICO") section
of the United States Code. The trial ran from September 2004
until June 2005, including 115 days of trial.
Treibitz concluded that “The United States team did
an excellent job and presented a strong and compelling case.”
Why Z-Axis’ was hired
Z-Axis was hired because the firm’s expertise in tobacco
litigation is unparalleled. Not only had Z-Axis worked with
the Justice Department for 20 years on many cases, the firm
has also been involved in many of the state cases against
the tobacco industry. This case was different, however, because
the state cases were about recovering monies that the states
had paid out in medical claims. This federal case was about
conspiracy to commit fraud on the American public for financial
gain.
Z-Axis’ role in the case
Z-Axis provided strategic consulting services to develop recommendations
for presentation materials for all major expert witnesses,
and produced extensive and complex presentations for the opening
statements, three interim summations and closing arguments.
Working with twenty experts, Z-Axis developed demonstrative
evidence that enabled the DOJ to present their testimony.
Visual materials created included: animations, interactive
animations, interactive timelines, large-scale exhibit boards,
small-scale printed exhibits, electronic graphics and illustrations.
The biggest challenge of the case for Z-Axis was managing
the massive volume and variety of graphic needs to accommodate
all of the experts and a number of different attorneys.
Full list of parties in the case:
United States of America, Plaintiff. vs. Philip Morris, Inc.,
R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Brown & Williamson Tobacco
Corporation, Lorillard Tobacco Company, The Liggett Group,
Inc., American Tobacco Company, Philip Morris Companies, Inc.,
British American Tobacco, P.L.C., British American Tobacco
(Investments) Ltd., The Council for Tobacco Research--U.S.A.,
Inc., and The Tobacco Institute, Inc., Defendants.
For more information on the case and services provided by
Z-Axis, visit www.zaxis.com or call 303-713-0200.
About Z-Axis:
Z-Axis integrates research, strategic planning, graphic
production, and technology to create convincing, winning litigation
presentations. For more than twenty years, Z-Axis has proven
itself to be an industry pioneer and leader in courtroom technology,
as well as an innovator in courtroom animation. Combining
a veteran's eye for strategy with the latest technological
advancements, the Z-Axis team of professionals has a reputation
for creating visual communications tools that are second to
none, as evidenced in its patented VuPoint™ system.
Z-Axis services and supports its national and international
clients from its Denver, Chicago, New York, Washington, DC,
California and London offices. For more information on the
Z-Axis team, its capabilities and its clients, visit the website
at www.zaxis.com or call 303-713-0200.
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