Amex Tagged With $12.5 Million Jury Award in Divided Verdict

American Express Co. was hit with a $12.5 million damages verdict by a federal jury over unfair acts under Illinois law, while also being found not liable on a bevy of state antitrust claims.

The Thursday verdict from a jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York comes after a weekslong trial in a case by state consumers who challenged the nondiscrimination provisions in Amex’s contracts with merchants who accept its cards. The provisions also prevent steering practices.

The jury found the company not liable for claims under antitrust law that the company unlawfully prevented ...