Massachusetts Turnpike tolls are an illegal tax, lawsuit claims

The complaint seeks a refund that could amount to $300 million.

The Associated Press

5/11/2009

BOSTON  — 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.

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