$5.5M Southern Wine and Spirits fees class action settlement

Consumers could receive automatic payments from a $5.5 million Southern Wine and Spirits settlement if the company charged them excessive late fees.

The settlement benefits California Southern Wine and Spirits customers who did business with the company between June 13, 2010, and June 20, 2023.

According to the class action lawsuit, Southern Wine and Spirits violated California liquor laws by charging 2% late fees each month. These fees allegedly violated a state statute that limits late fees to only 1% per month.

Southern Wine and Spirits is a liquor supply company that merged with Glazer’s in 2016 to form Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits.

Southern Wine and Spirits hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $5.5 million to resolve the late fee class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the Southern Wine and Spirits settlement, class members can have their currently owed late fees written off for all late fees charged over 1% per month. According to the settlement website, the liquor company agreed to write off $44.1 million in fees.

Class members who previously paid Southern Wine and Spirits late fees in excess of 1% per month can receive a cash payment based on the amount they paid during the class period. Payments will vary depending on the number of participating class members who do not opt out, but each customer is estimated to receive at least $10.

For class members who received a mailed notice after June 25, 2024, the deadline for exclusion and objection is July 25, 2024. The deadline for exclusion and objection already passed for class members who received their mailed notices before June 25, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Oct. 15, 2024.

No claim form is required to benefit from the Southern Wine and Spirits settlement. Class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive settlement payments.

Who’s Eligible

California Southern Wine and Spirits customers who did business with the company between June 13, 2010, and June 20, 2023.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form Deadline

07/25/2024

Case Name

Wiseman Park LLC v. Southern Wine and Spirits of America Inc., Case No. BC548599, in the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County

Final Hearing

10/15/2024

Settlement Website

SouthernClassAction.com

Claims Administrator

Southern Wine Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Info@SouthernClassAction.com
844-514-6116

Class Counsel

Robert S Green
GREEN & NOBLIN PC

THE LAW OFFICES OF MATTHEW E. HESS

Defense Counsel

Keith R Thorell
KORSHAK KRACOFF KONG & SUGANO LLP