On tape: Lawyer for drug co. said to offer payment

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR

WASHINGTON (AP) - A lawyer in Mexico for a leading U.S. drug manufacturer, which promotes its global anticorruption policy, offered to pay an opposing expert in a business lawsuit if he would leave the country on a key court date to undermine the case, according to a recording of the conversation and sworn testimony provided to The Associated Press.

The recording and its disclosure offer an unusual glimpse into the bare-knuckle tactics of the global marketplace and come as the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission crack down on overseas misconduct by U.S. companies, part of a multinational effort to clean up international commerce.

Business remains an ethical jungle in many countries, but it's rare to get details on tape.

Based near Chicago, Baxter International Inc. (BAX) is a major manufacturer of intravenous drugs and medical devices. Its medications are used to treat people with hemophilia, kidney disease, immune system problems, infectious diseases, serious burns and other conditions.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110817/D9P5PGG00.html

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In this image from video from his sworn deposition, provided by Translog, shows Rafael Aspuru Alvarez raises his right hand to be sworn under oath. Alvarez recorded a breakfast meeting with Jorge Hernandez Marin, a Mexico City lawyer representing Baxter International Inc., where the lawyer offered to pay roughly $16,000 to Alvarez, an opposing expert in a business lawsuit, if he would leave the country on a key court date to undermine the case, according to the recording of the conversation and sworn testimony provided to The Associated Press. (AP Photo)

[MedicalAdmin]

1. This must be evidence based bribery.

Nothing to see here. It was a double blind bribe.

[formercia]

2. We all paid for it

in one way or another.

$16K is pocket change to the Medical Industrial Complex.

[russspeakeasy]

5. ...less than a nickle...

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Baxter was the drug company that had the man made flu virus.

and when discovered, claimed it was an "accident" or some such hogwash.
Anyone remember that????

a company to keep an eye on, they have a nefarious reputation.

I am surprised that the DOJ is "cracking down" on them, I can only surmise that is being done to benefit some other corporation.

[russspeakeasy]

6. I think you surmise correctly..........

:banghead:

[izquierdista]

4. Well, what do you expect??

That's all that lawyers do, haggle about how to spread the money around. Unless it's a criminal case, all sides in a case are only interested in one thing -- getting as much $$ for their side as they can.