FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2005 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CIV (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Associate Attorney General Robert McCallum made the following statement today on the closing of litigation against the tobacco industry: Today, the Justice Department began its closing arguments in its corporate fraud RICO case against the major U.S. cigarette manufacturers. In almost nine months of trial, the United States introduced voluminous evidence that the tobacco industry defendants engaged in an over-50-year scheme to mislead the American public about the health risks of smoking and to market cigarettes to young people. The government also presented considerable evidence that the defendants have continued to mislead the public to the present day and will continue to do so into the future.
The United States also presented the court with an array of remedies which are specifically designed to prevent and restrain the defendants ongoing and future fraudulent acts.
I want to express my thanks for the tireless efforts of the Justice Department attorneys who have brought this case on behalf of the American people, in particular Sharon Eubanks, the director of the trial team.
The matter will be submitted to the court for decision shortly, and we eagerly look forward to the courts opinion. 05-306
Source: US Department of Justice
