Judge Refuses to Enforce $97 Million Nicaraguan Judgment

MIAMI - A federal judge has denied a motion by Nicaraguan plantation workers to enforce a $97 million judgment against Dole for pesticide exposure, agreeing with Dole that the award was not the result of due process or an impartial judicial system. Osorio v. Dole Food Co., et al., No. 07-22693 (S.D. Fla.).

Judge Paul C. Huck of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida issued a 60-page order on Oct. 20 in which he reviewed the background for the award and concluded that it did not meet the requirements for enforcement under the Florida Recognition Act …