HEALTH

Cooper Cos. to Settle Fraud Charges for $2.77 Million: Without admitting or denying guilt, the Ft. Lee, N.J.-based maker of ophthalmic products agreed to surrender $1.62 million and pay a civil penalty of $1.15 million, according to an order by a New York federal court. In an unusual move, the Securities and Exchange Commission also released an investigative report criticizing the Cooper board for failing to take steps to prevent the fraud. The SEC alleged, among other things, that former Cooper executives Gary and Steven Singer participated in a manipulative plan to sell high-yield bonds at inflated prices to investment funds.