Ohio AG's office extends road-salt settlement deadline

COLUMBUS — The deadline for local governments and other public entities to claim a share of the state’s $11.5 million lawsuit settlement with Cargill Inc. and Morton Salt Inc. concerning rock salt prices charged between 2008 and 2011 has been extended two weeks to Aug. 21, Ohio Atty. Gen. Mike DeWine said today.

To date, more than 770 claims have been filed statewide, and DeWine said the deadline is being extended to give all local entities a chance to make a claim.

The state alleged the two major salt companies divided the market and agreed not to compete against each other, and thereby inflated road-salt prices. The companies, however, admitted no wrongdoing in making the settlement.