U.S. pursues nearly $13 billion of claims in Purdue Pharma opioid probes

REUTERS

U.S. prosecutors are pursuing possible penalties of nearly $13 billion to resolve investigations of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma after uncovering evidence of criminal and civil misconduct stemming from the company’s alleged role in fueling the nation’s opioid crisis.

U.S. Justice Department officials outlined additional details of their ongoing investigations of the company, controlled by the wealthy Sackler family, in paperwork filed last week with a federal bankruptcy court in White Plains, N.Y. read more »

New York unveils landmark antitrust bill that makes it easier to sue tech giants

THE GUARDIAN

New York state is introducing a bill that would make it easier to sue big tech companies for alleged abuses of their monopoly powers.

New York is America’s financial center and one of its most important tech hubs. If successfully passed, the law could serve as a model for future legislation across the country. It also comes as a federal committee is conducting an anti-trust investigation into tech giants amid concerns that their unmatched market power is suppressing competition. read more »

Former Genetics Company Exec Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy in Kickback Scheme

TIMES OF SAN DIEGO

A former executive for an Orange County genetics company pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal conspiracy charge for paying kickbacks to physicians.

Donald Joseph Matthews, 50, formerly the vice president of market development for Proove Biosciences, admitted in San Diego federal court to paying doctors at least $3.5 million to order the company’s DNA tests for their patients, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. read more »