BY BEN L. KAUFMAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A proposal to distribute another $10.5 million among Fernald neighbors was put on hold Wednesday by U.S. District Judge S. Arthur Spiegel. He said he wants to hear from trustees handling the $78 million class-action settlement before scheduling arguments on the proposed payout.
Trustee J. Kermit Smith said comments would be submitted soon. Meanwhile, he reported, there was more than $20 million unspent. Neighbors' lawyers want most or all of the $10.5 million to be shared among people who received earlier payments for emotional distress.
Government lawyers say there are better uses for the money, or, failing that, it should be returned to taxpayers.
Judge Spiegel will set a hearing date after reading arguments and responses from all sides.
Fernald was a uranium processing plant in northwest Hamilton County. Neighbors sued in 1985 after learning their property might have been contaminated. Thousands received payments for lost property value and emotional distress.
