⢠Former Rite Aid chief executive Martin L. Grass pleads guilty to two criminal counts in conspiracy to inflate profits of drug chain, destroy and alter evidence and tamper with witnesses. Agrees to pay $3.5 million in fines and forfeiture, with understanding he might serve up to eight years. Attorney said afterward that client did nothing to enrich himself.
⢠Guidant announces closure of unit that makes stent-graft that may have led to deaths of 12 patients. Takes up to $125 million charge. Company had previously pleaded guilty to covering up the information. Chief executive says company learned "painful lesson."
⢠Securities and Exchange Commission files civil fraud charges against Gemstar-TV Guide former chief executive Henry C. Yuen and former chief financial officer Elsie Ma Leung. Regulators allege company revenue was inflated, allowing pair to earn more than $100 million. Executives claim everything was reviewed by auditors and lawyers.
⢠Sprint agrees to pay $5.6 million to settle claims it overcharged government for long-distance services. Stems from whistleblower suit.
⢠Ousted Ullico chief executive Robert A. Georgine takes the Fifth rather than testify fully before House panel looking at insider trading by board members of the union-run insurer. In-house probe concluded he made $8.8 million from unauthorized trades in company stock.
⢠AstraZeneca pleads guilty to criminal charges that it conspired to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. Gave free or discounted samples of cancer drug to urologists who billed government for full price. Company agreed to pay $355 million in civil fines and penalties.
⢠Symbol Technologies' former chief accounting officer, Robert Asti, pleads guilty to scheming with other executives to inflate earnings.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17886-2003Jun20.html
⢠Guidant announces closure of unit that makes stent-graft that may have led to deaths of 12 patients. Takes up to $125 million charge. Company had previously pleaded guilty to covering up the information. Chief executive says company learned "painful lesson."
⢠Securities and Exchange Commission files civil fraud charges against Gemstar-TV Guide former chief executive Henry C. Yuen and former chief financial officer Elsie Ma Leung. Regulators allege company revenue was inflated, allowing pair to earn more than $100 million. Executives claim everything was reviewed by auditors and lawyers.
⢠Sprint agrees to pay $5.6 million to settle claims it overcharged government for long-distance services. Stems from whistleblower suit.
⢠Ousted Ullico chief executive Robert A. Georgine takes the Fifth rather than testify fully before House panel looking at insider trading by board members of the union-run insurer. In-house probe concluded he made $8.8 million from unauthorized trades in company stock.
⢠AstraZeneca pleads guilty to criminal charges that it conspired to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. Gave free or discounted samples of cancer drug to urologists who billed government for full price. Company agreed to pay $355 million in civil fines and penalties.
⢠Symbol Technologies' former chief accounting officer, Robert Asti, pleads guilty to scheming with other executives to inflate earnings.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17886-2003Jun20.html