Updated: Wednesday, 13 May 2009, 11:51 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 11 May 2009, 6:39 AM EDT
BOSTON (AP) - A lawyer made famous by the book and movie "A Civil Action" has
filed a class-action lawsuit claiming tolls collected on the
Massachusetts Turnpike are an illegal tax.
Jan Schlichtmann's complaint filed Friday in Middlesex
Superior Court on behalf of three drivers who use the highway seeks
a refund that could amount to $300 million.
Schlichtmann tells the Boston Herald tolls collected on the
Pike are "an unconstitutional expropriation of money" because they
are used to pay for other projects, including the $15 billion Big
Dig.
He says there is legal precedent supporting his clients.
Schlichtmann was played by John Travolta in the 1998 movie
about his legal fight on behalf of families against a chemical
company.
A Turnpike spokesman refused comment.