Bloomberg Law Alex Pretti's Parents Demand Justice & Copycat Weight Loss Drugs
Oct 28, 2026
Immigration attorney Leon Fresco, a former head of the Office of Immigration Litigation, examines Alex Pretti’s parents’ fight for evidence and accountability after their son’s killing, including victims’ rights and possible legal routes around federal secrecy. FDA attorney Edgar J. Asebey explores Eli Lilly’s lawsuits targeting copycat retatrutide sellers, regulatory referrals, drug classification, and the challenge of policing unapproved peptide sales.
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How Families Can Force DOJ To Share Information
- File a mandamus lawsuit under the Crime Victims Rights Act to seek information and a meeting with federal prosecutors.
- The court cannot force charges or award damages, but it can compel DOJ to confer with the family.
Why Immunity Complicates Claims Against Agents
- Alex Pretti’s family faces limited options because federal immunity shields many immigration agents from damages claims.
- A Federal Tort Claims Act case would need to show the agents acted outside their employment duties.
Missing Evidence Blocks Minnesota Prosecution
- Minnesota prosecutors cannot build a case without the agents’ names, weapon, phone, and statements.
- Federal withholding of evidence forces state authorities toward federal court for judicial intervention.