Altria Deal’s Attorney Fees Released After Ted Frank Steps Back

Counsel for Altria Group Inc. investors can resume collecting their fees from a $117 million settlement over the tobacco company’s stake in Juul Labs Inc., after well-known objector Ted Frank withdrew his request that the finalized deal be reconsidered.

Frank’s attempt to intervene in the derivative suit is moot, Judge David J. Novak said Wednesday for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Soon after Frank asked to enter the case, Novak ordered him to answer 34 questions about the timeline of his purchase of Altria shares, his awareness of the settlement, whether he has ever ...