Animal Rights Group Pays Up for Suit

Over a decade after suing the producer of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus over the treatment of elephants, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has agreed to pay $9.3 million to exit the case.

“My impression is ASPCA wanted to get out of this case because they appreciate the exposure that they faced, particularly in this RICO case,” said John Simpson, lead counsel for the circus producer.

A judge discovered the ASPCA paid a former Ringling barn helper at least $190,000 to testify that elephants were being mistreated by ‘Greatest Show on Earth,’ stripping him of his credibility.