PORTLAND (AP) – More than 20 lawsuits stemming from a massive security breach of Hannaford Bros. Co.’s computer system have been consolidated and assigned to a federal court in Maine.

According to a decision announced Monday, the case will be heard by U.S. District Judge D. Brock Hornby in Portland.

The decision means lawsuits filed in Maine, New Hampshire, Florida and New York will be consolidated into a single case under the federal court’s multi-district litigation program.

The breach last winter allowed hackers to access more than 4 million credit and debit card numbers used at 165 Hannaford stores in the Northeast and 106 Sweetbay stores in Florida. At least 1,800 numbers were stolen and used for unauthorized purchases.

In all, the breach has generated 14 lawsuits in Maine, seven in Florida and one each in New Hampshire and New York.

A seven-judge panel in Asheville, N.C., heard arguments May 29 on where the lawsuits should be consolidated. Attorneys who filed lawsuits in Maine argued the case should be heard in their state, while attorneys in Florida argued they should be heard there.

The panel found holding the case in Maine would “serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation.” It also found that because Hannaford’s headquarters are in Maine, relevant documents and witnesses would be more readily available.

—

Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com

AP-ES-06-10-08 0910EDT