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David Sackler
Former Purdue Pharma Board Member; Third-Generation Sackler Family
Third-generation Sackler family member who served on Purdue Pharma board during the opioid crisis while the family extracted $10.7 billion from the company
Overview
David Sackler is a third-generation member of the Sackler family and son of Richard Sackler, the former president and co-chairman of Purdue Pharma. He served on Purdue Pharma's board of directors from approximately 2012 to 2018, during the period when the company continued to aggressively market OxyContin while the opioid epidemic killed tens of thousands of Americans annually. Court documents and internal communications obtained through litigation revealed that David Sackler was informed about OxyContin's addictive properties, participated in discussions about the company's marketing strategy, and was involved in "Project Tango", a plan for Purdue to profit from addiction treatment by selling drugs to treat the very addiction it had caused. He was one of eight Sackler family members named as defendants in a 2018 wave of state lawsuits, including the Massachusetts Attorney General's comprehensive complaint. During a 2019 congressional hearing, Representative Jim Cooper told David Sackler and his family that they were "the most evil family in America." The Sackler family extracted approximately $10.7 billion from Purdue between 2008 and 2018, transferring wealth to family trusts and offshore accounts including Swiss banks. David Sackler married Joss Ruggles. On June 27, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P. that the bankruptcy code cannot grant liability relief to non-bankrupt parties like the Sackler family. On January 23, 2025, the Sackler family reached a final $7.4 billion settlement, $6.5 billion from the family over 15 years, to resolve all remaining litigation. No member of the Sackler family has faced criminal prosecution.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Served on Purdue board during peak of opioid crisis while the company continued aggressive OxyContin marketing and the family extracted $10.7 billion
Internal communications revealed he was informed about OxyContin's abuse and participated in marketing strategy decisions
Involved in "Project Tango", Purdue's plan to profit from addiction treatment by selling drugs to treat the addiction the company had caused
One of eight Sackler family members named as defendants in 2018 state lawsuits including Massachusetts AG's comprehensive complaint
Representative Jim Cooper told the Sackler family during 2019 congressional hearing they were "the most evil family in America"
Sackler family attempted to use Purdue bankruptcy to gain civil immunity without personally filing for bankruptcy, rejected by Supreme Court in 2024
No member of the Sackler family has faced criminal prosecution despite two corporate guilty pleas and the Ogrosky memo recommending felony charges
Related Investigations (3)
Criminal Charges & Violations
2 documented violations
Civil, Massachusetts AG Lawsuit (2018)Named defendant in Commonwealth v. Purdue Pharma et al.; one of eight Sackler family members sued for their role in the opioid crisis(CIVIL)
Civil, Harrington v. Purdue Pharma L.P. (2024)Supreme Court struck down Sackler attempt to gain civil immunity through Purdue bankruptcy without personally filing(CIVIL)
Known Associates & Connections
Richard Sackler
Father; former Purdue Pharma president and co-chairman who directed aggressive OxyContin marketing strategy
Kathe Sackler
Sackler family member (daughter of Mortimer); fellow Purdue board member; co-defendant in 2018 lawsuits
Craig Landau
Purdue CEO from 2017 who oversaw second guilty plea and bankruptcy
Jonathan Sackler
Sackler family member (son of Mortimer); Purdue board member; died 2020 before lawsuit resolution
Sources & Documentation
4 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- 1982 (approx)
- Birthplace
- United States
Education
Key Timeline
2012
Joins Purdue Pharma board of directors as third-generation family representative
2018
Named as one of eight Sackler family defendants in Massachusetts AG lawsuit and other state lawsuits; departs Purdue board
2019
Purdue files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy; AlixPartners audit reveals $10.7 billion in Sackler family withdrawals; Rep. Jim Cooper calls family "most evil in America"
2020-10-21
Purdue pleads guilty to three federal charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States; agrees to $8.3 billion settlement
2024-06-27
Supreme Court rules 5-4 in Harrington v. Purdue Pharma that bankruptcy code cannot grant liability relief to non-bankrupt Sacklers
2025-01-23
Sackler family reaches final $7.4 billion settlement, $6.5B from family over 15 years, to resolve all remaining litigation