Waxman Urges Inquiry Into E-Mails
Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles) called for a probe into the destruction of Philip Morris documents related to a federal lawsuit.
Philip Morris, a unit of Altria Group Inc., is one of several cigarette makers the Department of Justice accused of fraudulent and deceptive practices in a 1999 suit. U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler has since dismissed much of the suit, but has allowed the remainder -- in which the government seeks to force the companies to give up $289 million in profits -- to proceed.
Bill Ohlemeyer, vice president and associate general counsel at Philip Morris, said he believed the deletion issue was handled to the judge’s satisfaction and will not be a concern in the lawsuit.
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