Originally published October 4 2005
Congressman calls for examination of FDA chief Crawford
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
In the wake of FDA chief Lester Crawford's seemingly abrupt resignation, House representative Maurice Hinchley of New York requested the Inspector General's office look into financial records that Crawford would not disclose, which might contain evidence of incriminating pharmaceutical company holdings.
US Representative Maurice Hinchey, Democrat of New York, today will ask the federal inspector general's office to examine the reasons for Crawford's resignation.
''We're very hopeful that your office will able to shed some light on this matter, specifically as it pertains to the presence of conflicts of interest, such as inappropriate and undisclosed pharmaceutical company stock holdings," Hinchey wrote in a letter to the inspector general's office.
Crawford's brother-in-law described Crawford's unexpected departure as the act of a frustrated man who wanted to shield his wife, Catherine, from further inquiries.
''He's had a number of investigations coming into this job and going through the hearings.
''I don't know what he's gone through, but I would like for him to exonerate himself," Walker said.
Earlier this week, Walker told The New York Times that his sister shared the cash proceeds when family-owned Walker Drug Co. was sold in 1997 for $140 million.
The remainder was split by 40 relatives of William Walker, the company's founder.
''When you read it in the paper, $140 million, you just assume that she's rich," Walker told The Boston Globe.
In addition to generic, brand-name, and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs that it purchases from manufacturers to distribute to hospitals, drug stores and nursing homes, AmerisourceBergen is also a major distributor of flu vaccine.
Julie Zawisza, an FDA spokeswoman, did not immediately return e-mails seeking an explanation of its policies regarding financial transactions involving companies regulated by the agency.
In an interview yesterday with Forbes.com, Crawford denied knowingly having financial conflicts and said his resignation was a result of 20-hour work days and endless FDA controversies.
Crawford told the website he had been mulling retirement since early September and received retirement package details Sept. 15.
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