What is the logic for the state somehow being entitled to such a huge cut? Presumably, if anyone was wronged here, it was the employees.
I don't know how damages are divided up in cases like these, but I'd guess that the state's cut would be distributed (at least partially) to affected employees.
> Because Google requires Googlers to waive their right to seek class-wide injunctive relief for Google’s illegal conduct, the only effective remedy to address Google’s illegal conduct is the aggressive and full imposition of penalties under the Private Attorneys General Act.
This way you reduce the incentive for futile suits and malpractice hunting while keeping the penalties harsh for those who do it.
Compensatory makes sense to go to the claimant but punitive not so much; it's purpose is to make financially unwise to keep whatever practices an entity was found guilty of.