Ex-inmates lose ruling over cash from abuse case

DETROIT (AP) -- A judge says six former Michigan prison inmates who are due $3.5 million in an abuse lawsuit against the state must pay most of the money to private financiers who advanced them cash. The Detroit Free Press reports U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith on Monday ruled that the women owe $3.1 million to Money for Lawsuits, or MFL. A magistrate ruled earlier this year that there was nothing illegal about the about 4 percent monthly compounded interest rate that was charged. The women's attorney, Ralph Sirlin, plans to appeal. David Plunkett, an attorney for MFL, said the ruling upheld a "legally valid contract." The six women were part of a lawsuit alleging widespread abuse in Michigan prisons by male guards who were accused of raping, groping and peeking at inmates. Published: Wed, Apr 18, 2012