The plea bargain does not foreclose future criminal charges against the Sackler family owners and Purdue’s executives. 60 Minutes has covered the opioid epidemic extensively.
Purdue Pharma, the maker of the highly addictive Oxycontin opioid drug, pleaded guilty to felony criminal charges today, settling with the U.S. government for more than $8.3 billion. The settlement, which resolved criminal charges and civil liability, was hailed by prosecutors today as a “milestone in the [Justice] Department’s efforts to hold accountable those who fueled the opioid crisis.” But last year Purdue filed for bankruptcy protection, and it is unknown whether the government will ever prosecute members of the Sackler family, some of whom are owners and executives of Purdue, or the company’s executives. Members of the Sackler family, who have extracted billions from their privately held company over the years, agreed to personally pay $225 million as part of the civil settlement. Still, today’s settlement does not foreclose future criminal charges against the family and Purdue’s executives.
