Target Corp. is backing the moving class action lawsuits related to the retailer's massive data breach to the company's home state of Minnesota.
During a hearing in front of the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation in San Diego last week, Target's attorney supported the transfer of the cases to U.S. District Court in Minnesota.
As a result of the data compromise that has affected nearly one in four Americans, lawsuits totaling more than 100 have been filed on behalf of consumers and financial institutions, including six credit unions and 10 banks. The breach has cost credit unions at least $30 million, according to the latest estimates from CUNA and NAFCU.
According to published reports, Target lead counsel Rebekah Kaufman said that despite cases being filed in 39 districts, there was a "substantial connection" to Minnesota.
An attorney close to the case told Credit Union Journal that moving the lawsuits to Minnesota could be likely given that Target's IT department is located in that state.
Plaintiffs' attorney Karl Cambronne contended that Minnesota should be home to the case because of a state statute that prohibits merchants or businesses from retaining magnetic strip information captured during a transaction.
Attorneys from California and Illinois, however, cited Target's relationships with third parties in their states as a reason why the cases should not be moved.
The cases have been stayed until a decision is issued by the panel.
