Ex-Glaxo lawyer indicted for role in US drug probe

[Celebration]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0928423820101109

A former lawyer for pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline Plc (GSK.L) has been indicted for lying and obstructing an investigation into the company's promotion of an anti-depressant drug, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday.

The lawyer, Lauren Stevens, was indicted on four counts of making false statements, one count of obstruction of justice and one count of falsifying and concealing documents related to Glaxo's promotion of the drug for weight loss, which had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

"Where the facts and law allow, the Justice Department will pursue individuals responsible for illegal conduct just as vigorously as we pursue corporations," said Tony West, head of the Justice Department's civil division.

The Justice Department did not name the drug or Glaxo, but the company confirmed she had worked in its legal department but retired. A legal directory described Stevens as a Glaxo vice president and associate general counsel.