Judge Denies Plaintiffs' Motion to Reconsider Ruling Finding Merck Sales Reps Fraudulently Joined

LAKE CHARLES, La. - A federal judge denied plaintiffs' motion requesting reconsideration of a ruling that found seven Merck sales representatives fraudulently joined, stating that the motion was untimely and raised arguments that should have been raised before the order was issued. Anthony J. Mallet and Priscilla G. Mallet v. Merck & Co., Inc., et al. No. 02-CV-2304 (W.D. La., Lake Charles Div.).

In an order docketed Dec. 2, 2003, U.S. District Judge James T. Trimble, Jr., opined that the court was correct in basing its decision on affidavits submitted by Merck and the sales representatives stating that they never …