Tobacco Workers Advised of Investigation

Philip Morris Cos. has told some Virginia employees that U.S. Department of Justice investigators may be contacting them about a federal investigation of the company.

In a letter sent last week to current and past employees, Denise F. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel of Philip Morris USA, said the cigarette maker has been asked to provide names of current and former employees who worked in certain departments and plants.

The investigation concerns “a broad range of grand jury investigations into various activities” of the company, the letter said.

The departments and plants were not identified in the letter. A copy was given to the Richmond Times-Dispatch by a Philip Morris employee.

But a source close to the company told the newspaper the letter was sent to more than 30 and perhaps as many as 200 employees at three Richmond-area plants: one where the company blends tobacco for use in cigarettes, one where reconstituted tobacco is made as filler for cigarettes and the research center.

The letter to local workers provides instructions about what to do in the event of an unannounced visit from a government agent.

“It is possible that government agents may try to contact you directly, rather than going through the company,” she wrote. “Indeed, it is not unlikely that government agents may try to visit you at your home or otherwise contact you after working hours.”

Keane advised workers that they can decide whether to be interviewed. While advising them to be “truthful and accurate” with federal agents, she also wrote “that you are under no legal or other obligation to submit to an interview with the government agents before consulting with counsel.”

Associated Press calls to Philip Morris were not immediately returned. Justice Department officials would not comment on the matter.

As yet, no local employees have been visited by federal agents and no new subpoenas have been issued, the source told the newspaper.

The Justice Department reportedly has been investigating the tobacco industry for more than two years, after congressional testimony by tobacco executives in which they denied controlling or manipulating nicotine levels in cigarettes.

The letter came on the heels of the release in mid-March of three affidavits to the Food and Drug Administration by former Philip Morris employees detailing testing, research and production processes in Richmond, where Philip Morris operates its largest production and research facilities.

The affidavits include allegations that Philip Morris routinely monitors and adjusts the nicotine levels in cigarettes.