Former F.D.A. Chief Is Charged With Conflict - New York Times

Former F.D.A. Chief Is Charged With Conflict - New York Times:

By STEPHANIE SAUL

Published: October 17, 2006

Lester M. Crawford, former chief of the Food and Drug Administration, was charged yesterday with conflict of interest and lying about stock he and his wife owned in companies the agency regulates.

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Lester M. Crawford before a Senate committee in 2004. He is to admit two misdemeanors in a federal court in Washington Tuesday.

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Text: Criminal Information (U.S. v. Crawford)

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Dr. Crawford, who resigned abruptly in September 2005, just two months after his nomination had been approved by the Senate, is expected to plead guilty in federal court in Washington today, said his lawyer, Barbara Van Gelder.

Each of the two charges filed against Dr. Crawford, 68, is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail, but Ms. Van Gelder said she expected him to be fined and placed on probation.