Securities: Ex-FDA Chief Fined in Fraud Case

Former Food and Drug Administration chief Lester Crawford was sentenced to three years' supervised probation with fines of about $90,000 for lying about stocks he owned in companies that were regulated by the FDA. Magistrate Judge Deborah A. Robinson did not give Crawford jail time but fined him more than the $50,000 fine proposed by Crawford's defense attorney and by federal prosecutors.

Judge Fines Ex-FDA Chief in Fraud Case

"While the total fine exceeds what the parties agreed to, the fine is well below the maximum under the statute," said Robinson. Robinson also said that Crawford must conduct 50 hours of community service. Crawford, 69, pleaded guilty last October to falsely reporting information about stocks that he and his wife owned. The couple filed seven incorrect financial reports with a government ethics office and Congress. Crawford did pay taxes and dividends on the options. "I want to assure you that I accept responsibility for what I've done," Crawford said.