Purdue Pharma LP’s bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved a narrow probe of the OxyContin maker’s corporate governance despite calling part of the request that prompted it “a load of hooey,” Bloomberg News reported. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain approved an investigation into whether the drugmaker’s owners, members of the billionaire Sackler family, have had undue influence on an independent committee of Purdue board members. That so-called special committee reviewed potential lawsuits against the family members and is seeking a settlement instead of litigation. The appointment is the latest twist in a bankruptcy case that has aired the grievances of those affected by the opioid crisis — from states and cities to individuals. By one measure, Purdue is facing legal claims totaling more than $40 trillion, or about double the U.S. GDP in 2020. It’s trying to settle those claims by handing Purdue’s assets to a trust for the benefit of cities and states, who would use the money on opioid crisis abatement. In a contentious five-hour hearing, Judge Drain said there’s no evidence to suggest the board members’ independence has been compromised, but decided the court papers filed to request the investigation were so misleading that a probe is needed to remove any “taint” over the bankruptcy process.
