Mealey's (October 23, 2019, 1:54 PM EDT) -- TRENTON, N.J. — A federal judge in New Jersey on Oct. 21 consolidated two securities fraud lawsuits against the 3M Co. and appointed a group of investors as the lead plaintiffs against the company for allegedly issuing false and misleading statements to conceal the truth about the company’s exposure to liability associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Heavy & General Laborers’ Locals 472 & 172 Welfare Fund v. 3M Company, et al., No. 19-15982, D. N.J.)....