Bayer to Pay $40 Million Over Whistle-Blower’s Bribe Claims (1)

Bayer AG agreed to pay $40 million to resolve US lawsuits linked to allegations that company officials bribed hospitals and physicians to use its drugs.

The settlement stems from two “whistle-blower” suits filed by ex-marketing employee Laurie Simpson almost two decades ago and subsequent litigation by the US government, the US Justice Department said Friday in a statement. Simpson will receive about $11 million from the settlement, the department said.

Bayer didn’t admit wrongdoing as part of the deal with federal prosecutors, some state attorney generals and Simpson. The accord “reflects a business decision by the company that resolution ...