Washington, D.C. -Today, Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, sent letters informing lawyers for Dr. Richard Sackler, Mr. David Sackler, Dr. Kathe Sackler, and Mr. Mortimer D.A. Sackler that the Committee will hold a hearing next week on the role of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family in fueling the opioid epidemic. Purdue CEO Craig Landau has also been invited.
“The Committee has obtained documents showing that members of the Sackler family were closely involved in Purdue’s efforts to grow the market share for OxyContin and other opioids, even after entering into a settlement with DOJ on charges of misbranding-for which Purdue paid $600 million in fines for misleading the public about OxyContin’s risk," wrote Chairwoman Maloney. “Your clients’ testimony is critically important to the Committee’s interest in examining the opioid epidemic in order to inform legislative efforts to address this crisis."
On Nov. 24, 2020, Chairwoman Maloney sent letters to Dr. Richard Sackler, Mr. David Sackler, Dr. Kathe Sackler, and Mr. Mortimer D.A. Sackler requesting their voluntary testimony at a hearing originally scheduled for today.
After numerous attempts by Committee staff to confirm their attendance, their attorneys finally sent letters on Dec. 1, 2020, declining the invitations to testify and citing ongoing court proceedings. Although court proceedings outside the Legislative Branch do not affect the Committee’s authority to hold hearings, Committee staff provided multiple possible hearing dates in January after consulting with the Ranking Member James Comer’s office.
“In response, you and your clients have provided no indication that they will participate voluntarily," Chairwoman Maloney wrote. “Indeed, your clients have not agreed to testify at a hearing before the Committee at any time-ever. As a result, it appears that your clients are not engaging in this process in good faith."
As a result, Chairwoman Maloney announced that the Committee will move forward with a hearing one week from today-on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. Chairwoman Maloney asked that counsel inform the Committee by this Thursday whether their clients will participate voluntarily or will require subpoenas for their testimony.
