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Ex-FDA chief under criminal investigation
The former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Lester M. Crawford, MD, is under federal investigation regarding alleged financial improprieties and false statements to Congress, according to reports in The New York Times.
Dr. Crawford resigned as head of the FDA last September, less than 3 months after being confirmed by the Senate. He had been acting commissioner of the FDA for a year before being confirmed.
According to news reports, either Dr. Crawford or his wife sold $50,000 worth of shares in companies the FDA regulates while Dr. Crawford was either deputy commissioner or acting commissioner, documents from the Department of Health and Human Services said.
The criminal investigation came to light during a lawsuit involving the agency’s delay in ruling on the emergency contraceptive pill. The drug’s maker, Barr Labs, applied more than 3 years ago to sell the pill over the counter. Under his tenure, Dr. Crawford refused to have the FDA render a decision.
Dr. Crawford’s lawyers said they have recommended he invoke his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, according to the report.