New Jersey recovered $193 million through civil enforcement settlements in 2025, with a $100 million Horizon Blue Cross deal marking the state’s largest single recovery of the year.
WEBDESK – SAMAN NOOR – NJNEWSLINE
A Big Year for Civil Enforcement
Civil enforcement efforts in New Jersey recouped $193 million for the state through settlements in 2025, according to officials. The resolutions, highlighted in a July 22 press release from the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, span a wide range of issues including healthcare, environmental contamination, consumer protection, labor violations and real estate matters. Officials noted that the recovered amount only reflects orders or settlements obtained by the state and does not include other forms of relief that directly benefit victims, such as balance forgiveness, debt relief or restitution.
The Largest Recovery of the Year
Topping the list was a $100 million settlement with Horizon Healthcare Services, also known as Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. The company agreed to pay after allegations it overcharged the state and fraudulently induced New Jersey to award it a contract to administer public employee health benefits, making it the single largest recovery of the year.
Other Major Settlements
Several other high profile cases contributed significantly to the total. Solvay and Arkema agreed to pay nearly $34 million and undertake remediation measures to resolve environmental claims involving PFAS contamination at their West Deptford facility. Lyft agreed to pay $19.4 million to settle allegations it misclassified drivers as independent contractors, denying them earned sick leave and other protections under New Jersey law. Daimler and Mercedes Benz agreed to pay more than $11 million as part of a multistate settlement resolving consumer fraud and environmental claims tied to diesel emissions defeat devices.
Smaller but notable cases rounded out the year. The state secured a $2.2 million judgment against Financial Services for America over an alleged mortgage relief scheme targeting financially distressed homeowners facing foreclosure. North Wildwood agreed to contribute $1.7 million toward beach replenishment and environmental initiatives to resolve years of litigation over unauthorized beach and dune restoration activities. ADS Renovation Group faced a $1.7 million final judgment for alleged violations of consumer protection laws involving home improvement services. The Division of Taxation secured a $1.67 million bankruptcy proof of claim against Presperse Corp for unpaid state tax liabilities, and MV Realty PBC agreed to pay $1.5 million to resolve allegations it misled homeowners through a program that exchanged upfront payments for long term exclusive real estate listing rights.
Billions Still Pending
The $193 million total does not include several proposed settlements still awaiting court approval, officials noted. That includes landmark agreements valued at more than $2.5 billion with 3M, DuPont, Chemours and Corteva over PFAS contamination, meaning the state’s final recovery for the year could grow substantially once those cases are resolved.
A Drop From Previous Years, but Still Significant
This year’s total marks a noticeable decline from recent years. New Jersey recovered nearly $430 million in 2024 and $600 million in 2023 under former Attorney General Matthew Platkin, numbers driven largely by blockbuster resolutions involving nationwide opioid litigation, PFAS contamination and the Ørsted offshore wind settlement. Separately, litigation settlements and judgments paid by New Jersey in 2025 totaled $189 million, slightly higher than the $177.9 million paid out in 2024.
A Message From the Attorney General
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport praised the work behind these recoveries, saying she is proud of the dedicated team in the Division of Law who work every day to defend New Jerseyans against consumer fraud, environmental wrongdoing, financial scams and more. She added that her office will continue standing up for residents in court and protecting them from unlawful practices that drive up costs and make communities less safe.
Division of Law Director Michael Walters echoed that sentiment, praising the roughly 500 attorneys and legal staff within his unit. He said the division’s attorneys and staff work tirelessly on the thousands of matters they handle each year to achieve the best possible outcome for the state and its residents, whether a matter involves a recovery or a payment made by the state.
