New state Sen. Dick Harpootlian received $1.9 million in a drug-related death settlement.

Lawyers Mark Tinsley of Allendale and Williams Kemp of Bamberg split $1.6 million.

“Our clients are satisfied with the settlement and relieved to have this process over,” Harpootlian told The State newspaper.

He declined other comments.

A West Columbia drug-treatment center and its chain owner paid $10.5 million to settle 2 lawsuits.

The plaintiffs alleged that one of its patients under the influence of drugs killed 3 people in a 2015 auto accident.

The confidential settlement means the case won’t go to trial nor will details of the allegations be revealed.

The plaintiffs and their lawyers signed confidentiality agreements, promising not to talk about the case.

The settlement and payment to plaintiffs and their lawyers are public record at the Lexington County clerk of court’s office.

The $10.5 million settlement “nearly exhausts the available insurance coverage” of Colonial Management Group, an Orlando, Fla.,-based national drug-treatment chain that operates the Columbia Metro Treatment Center in West Columbia, according to the settlement.

The company has changed its name to New Season.

According to the settlement, the clinic owner admitted no fault, and the plaintiffs agreed they could have lost the case had it gone to trial.

The lawsuit alleged Columbia Metro Treatment Center irresponsibly prescribed methadone for an addicted patient, 62-year-old Roy Moore of Leesville. On US 378 outside Lexington, he hit 2 other vehicles and plowed head-on into an SUV.

The crash killed Moore and 3 passengers in the SUV – Harry Gunnells, 73, his wife, Barbara, 74, of Saluda, and their grandson, Cooper Gunnells, 16, of Greenwood.