Menendez ad hits Hugin on Celgene lawsuit

U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez on Wednesday launched another ad attacking opponent Bob Hugin over his time as CEO of Celgene, this time focusing in on a federal lawsuit against the country filed by the federal government.

The U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit accused the company of selling two of its flagship drugs off-script and orchestrating a series of kickback schemes to boost sales.

“Bob Hugin and Celgene were accused of putting cancer patients at risk of further physical harm just to boost sales and pad their own pockets.  Bob Hugin didn’t take a stand and defend himself and his company against charges they broke federal law. Instead, he paid $280 million to avoid trial and make his problems go away,” said Menendez Communications Director Steve Sandberg.  “It’s time greedy CEO Bob Hugin come clean about how he made his fortune putting profits above patients

Celgene settled the lawsuit after reaching an agreement with the government, the terms of which have not been made public. Though, it did involve a payment of $280 million.

Such settlement agreements usually do not include an admission of guilt.