Ohio consumers will get $9.5 million to settle unclaimed funds lawsuit

CLEVELAND - The Ohio Department of Commerce owes consumers more than $9.5 million. A judge decided this week the State owes the money to settle a class action lawsuit over interest the state hasn't been paying on unclaimed funds.

For years, On Your Side Consumer Advocate Jenn Strathman has been pushing for answers. Last fall, Strathman pushed the Attorney General for answers as the lawsuit dragged on for eight years. DeWine said it was time to settle the case, and that happened this week.

So, who is behind this suit that will give hundreds of thousands of consumers extra money? Will Sogg.

He filed the lawsuit on behalf of his mother’s estate. After she died, he found she had unclaimed money.

When Sogg collected it, he didn't get paid any interest.

Sogg is an attorney with McCarthy, Lebit, Crystal, & Liffman and thought it was wrong. A Chicago lawyer filed a lawsuit on his behalf.

That began an eight-year legal battle that just wrapped up this week.

"I was just trying to do the right thing. To get Ohio to pay interest where they haven't been and other state's have,” Sogg said.

Sogg said he feels justified. His efforts will benefit hundreds of thousands of consumers, although Sogg admitted the interest likely won't be much for most people. It's still better than nothing.

He encourages you to go online and check to see if you have missing money . Sogg never thought his mother did.

As part of this settlement, all future claims will also be paid interest.

You’re eligible for compensation, if you received an unclaimed fund since Aug. 3, 2000 unless the amount you are due is less than $5. The amount of interest you will be paid varies by the year. You can learn more about the case and settlement on the official website . An attorney with the case said checks should be mailed within six months.

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