Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Insys founder John Kapoor sentenced to 66 months in prison  

JOHN KAPOOR, the founder of Insys Therapeutics Inc, on Thursday (23) was sentenced to 66 months in prison for his role in a bribery and fraud scheme that contributed to the US opioid crisis.

Kapoor, 76, is now the highest-ranking pharmaceutical executive to be sentenced in a case linked to the opioid crisis. His was the harshest sentence in a case in which several former Insys executives will go to prison.


Forfeiture and restitution in Kapoor's case still needs to be determined. Government prosecutors are asking for about $113 million in forfeiture from a man who grew up poor in India, but became a billionaire before founding Insys.

During a hearing that lasted nearly two hours, US prosecutors asked US District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs to sentence Kapoor to 15 years in prison. Some victims also asked her to give Kapoor a maximum penalty.

Victims told the judge they were prescribed a highly addictive opiate that they did not need. They described losing their teeth and being unable to put two thoughts together as they lived in a haze of addiction. One victim told the judge Kapoor should be treated as a drug trafficker.

Burroughs said her lesser sentence took into account his central role in the crime, his many good works as a philanthropist and his age.

Nevertheless, Kapoor is due to serve significantly more prison time than other former senior Insys executives convicted in the bribery and fraud scheme.

On Wednesday (22), former Insys Chief Executive Michael Babich, 43, was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Babich last year pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud and agreed to cooperate with the government.

Over several days of testimony, Babich had described the inner workings of the conspiracy in detail.

The trial resulted in the conviction of Kapoor, as well as the company's vice president of managed markets, Michael Gurry, national director of sales Richard Simon, and two Insys regional sales directors, Joseph Rowan and Sunrise Lee.

Subsys, the company's fentanyl-based medication, was approved to treat intense pain in cancer patients.

But Babich and others would identify high prescribers of opioid treatments and pay bribes or kickbacks to get them to broaden Subsys uses, increasing the number of new prescriptions, as well as dosage prescribed and units sold.

Assistant US Attorney Nathaniel Yeager described Kapoor as the linchpin of the scheme.

"It was a top-down conspiracy run by John Kapoor," Yeager told the judge.

Burroughs said she was not convinced Kapoor was the linchpin of the operation, but acknowledged he was a central player.

Kapoor, who served as the Chandler, Arizona-based drugmaker's chairman and later chief executive after Babich stepped down, apologized to the victims in the courtroom.

"I am heartbroken by the words of the patients," Kapoor said. "I sincerely apologize to them."

From 1999 to 2017, some 400,000 people died from overdoses involving an opioid, including prescription and illicit drugs, according to US health officials.

(Reuters)

More For You

Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh’s scooter ride: A viral internet hit!

Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh share the stage, creating musical magic together.

Instagram/arijitsingh

Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh’s scooter ride: A viral internet hit!

When two of the world’s most beloved singers come together, magic happens. Ed Sheeran, the global pop sensation, and Arijit Singh, India’s soulful voice, recently made headlines for their viral scooter ride through the streets of Jiaganj, Arijit’s hometown in West Bengal. The video of their casual outing has taken the internet by storm, with fans calling it the “most wholesome moment ever.”

In the viral clip, Arijit is seen driving the scooter while Ed enjoys the ride as a pillion passenger. The duo, accompanied by a few friends on other scooters, ditched heavy security and opted for the real small-town vibe. Their adventure didn’t stop there though, they also took a quiet boat ride along the Bhagirathi River enjoying the quiet beauty of Jiaganj like a true local.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rohit-Sharma-BCCI

Rohit brought up his 32nd ODI hundred with a six off Rashid but was dismissed soon after, caught by Rashid off a Livingstone full toss. (Photo: BCCI)

Rohit’s century powers India to ODI series win over England

INDIA secured the ODI series against England with a four-wicket win in the second match on Sunday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of the Champions Trophy. Captain Rohit Sharma led the chase with a 90-ball 119, helping India reach the 305-run target in 44.3 overs.

A floodlight failure delayed India’s innings for 30 minutes, but it did not affect Rohit, who struck seven sixes and 12 fours. Earlier, England posted 304 all out with one ball remaining, opting to bat first at Barabati Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi-Macron

Modi and Macron will also hold discussions in restricted and delegation-level formats and address the India-France CEO’s Forum. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

Modi meets Macron and JD Vance in Paris

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by French president Emmanuel Macron at a dinner at the Élysée Palace in Paris. Macron greeted Modi with a hug as they met on Monday.

"Delighted to meet my friend, President Macron in Paris," Modi posted on X.

Keep ReadingShow less
Saif Ali Khan’s first interview since home invasion: What he revealed amid controversy & conspiracy theories

Saif Ali Khan opens up about the harrowing night he fought off an armed intruder in his Mumbai home

Saif Ali Khan’s first interview since home invasion: What he revealed amid controversy & conspiracy theories

In a shocking turn of events, Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan found himself in a real-life thriller when an armed intruder broke into his Mumbai residence in the dead of night. What was supposed to be just another peaceful evening in the Khan household turned into a night of horror, leaving Saif with multiple injuries and raising serious questions about celebrity security in India.

It all began when Saif, in his kurta-pyjama, heard unusual noises near his son Jeh’s room. What followed was a violent struggle with an intruder armed with two knives. “I didn’t realise it was a knife at first,” Saif recalled. “There was too much adrenaline. He was slashing at my neck, and I was blocking it with my hands. My palms, wrists, and arms were cut, but I didn’t feel the pain immediately.”

Speaking to Times of India, the actor shared how his quick reflexes and the sharp presence of mind of his househelp, Geeta, saved the day. “I was praying someone would get him off me,” Saif admitted. “Geeta was incredible. She shoved him away, and we managed to close the door.”

Meanwhile, Kareena Kapoor Khan sprang into action, ensuring their children, Taimur and Jeh, were safe. “Kareena was shouting, ‘Take the kid out!’” Saif shared. “She got Jeh out of harm’s way while I was still grappling with the intruder.”

What makes this story even more astonishing is the extent of Saif’s injuries. A knife had penetrated his back, nicking his spinal cord and causing spinal fluid to leak. “The doctors said it was a millimetre away from paralysis,” Saif revealed. “It’s a miracle I can walk.”

Despite the severity of his wounds, Saif remained remarkably composed. “I told Kareena, ‘I’m fine. I’m not going to die.’ Taimur asked me the same thing, and I reassured him too,” he said. The family’s decision to take an autorickshaw to the hospital made the situation feel all the more unreal. “The rickshaw driver saw the blood but stayed calm. He even took shortcuts to avoid bumps,” Saif recalled with a laugh.

While the physical scars are healing, the emotional impact lingers. Saif’s children have reacted in their own ways. “Jeh gave me a plastic sword and said, ‘Keep this by your bed for the next time the chor comes,’” Saif shared with a chuckle. Taimur, ever the composed one, has shown concern about security but remains unfazed.

As for the intruder, Saif harbours no hatred. “Taimur said he should be forgiven because he might have been hungry,” Saif said. “I understand desperation, but he crossed a line when he tried to kill me.”

Saif’s ordeal has sparked debates about celebrity security and urban safety. Yet, the actor remains unfazed. “I don’t believe in walking around with bodyguards. This wasn’t a targeted attack; it was a burglary gone wrong,” he insisted.

“It’s brought us closer as a family,” he admitted. “Kareena has been incredibly strong, and the kids have shown maturity beyond their years.”

This horrifying incident is more than just a celebrity scare rather, it’s a wake-up call. If someone as high-profile as Saif Ali Khan can be targeted in his own home, what does that say about the safety of the common citizen? The conversation around home security, particularly for public figures, is one that can no longer be ignored.

And if there’s one thing we’ve learnt, it’s this: never underestimate a man in a kurta-pyjama. Especially if his name is Saif Ali Khan!

Keep ReadingShow less