The Tylenol Mafia (75 page)

On Saturday, February 16, Robert Kniffin said:
Aig
, Marlene. “Cyanide could have been in Tylenol for months.”
Lawrence Journal World
, February 16, 1986.

But Kniffin had previously stated that the Tylenol in the second bottle: McFadden, Robert D. “Two bottles of poisoned Tylenol were shipped by same distributor.”
The New York Times
, February 16, 1986.

On Thursday February 13
^th
, Johnson & Johnson: Norman, Michael, 2D Tainted Bottle of Tylenol Found by Investigators.”
The New York Times
, February 14, 1986.

The FBI also confirmed: Norman, Michael. “FBI is assigning Tylenol inquiry ‘highest priority.’”
The New York Times
, February 15, 1986.

Throughout the 1980s, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) contracted with the McNeil Pharmaceutical Company in Dorado to buy Tylenol with Codeine: DOD Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Contract with McNeil Pharmaceutical, Dorado,
Puerto
Rico.
Contract number DLA12085C0390, April 13, 1985.
– DOD Contract with McNeil Pharmaceutical, Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Contract number DLA12085D0553, November 25, 1985.
-- DOD Contract with McNeil Pharmaceutical, Dorado, Puerto Rico.
Contract number DLA12086C0097, February, 10, 1986.
 

The DOD contracted separately with the McNeil Consumer Products Company to buy non-prescription Tylenol capsules, tablets, and elixir: DOD Contract with McNeil Consumer Products Company, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.
Contract number DLA12083C0127, January 1983.
-- DOD Contract with McNeil Consumer Products Company, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.
Contract number DLA12083C0677, September 1983.
– Department of Veterans Affairs, DLA Contract with McNeil Consumer Products, Round Rock, Texas.
Contract number V797P5238L, October 1988.

Johnson & Johnson’s probable motive: GAO Report. “Potential Economic Impacts of Changes in Puerto Rico’s Status Under S. 712.” April 1990.

Johnson & Johnson did not pay Federal income tax: GAO. “GAO Briefing Report to the Chairman, Special Committee on Aging, U.S. Senate.” May 4, 1992.

For the period 1980 to 1990:
 
GAO. “GAO Briefing Report to the Chairman, Special Committee on Aging, U.S. Senate.” May 4, 1992.

33
           
Our Credo

A key question, said FBI spokesperson: Norman, Michael. “FBI is assigning Tylenol inquiry ‘highest priority.’”
The New York Times
, February 15, 1986.

 
“There’s no question:
Cimons
, Marlene. “Tylenol Chief Says Seals Can Be Replaced.”
LA Times
, February 20, 1986.

Burke said experts within J&J had successfully”:
Cimons
, Marlene. “Tylenol Chief Says Seals Can Be Replaced.”
LA Times
, February 20, 1986.

The FDA found that during 2008 and 2009, the Las Piedras plant: FDA.
“FDA 483 Inspection Observations.”
January 8, 2010.

In 1987, Johnson & Johnson received: Mintz, Morton. “Drug fiends: even inside Johnson & Johnson, public safety can take a back seat to profits.”
Washington Monthly
, April 19, 1991.

In 1985, the McNeil Consumer Products Company: Associated Press. “Kid’s Tylenol Recalled.”
Ottawa Herald
:,
July 19, 1985. -- Associated Press. “Recall of Children’s Tylenol almost complete.”
The Gettysburg Times
, July 19, 1985.

In 1982, when McNeil’s Associate Medical Director: Weiser, Benjamin. “Suit Alleges Public Misled On Painkiller; Zomax's Side Effects Said to Be Concealed.”
The Washington Post
, October 5, 1989.

In 1996, when Carlos
Labanda
: Silverman, Edward.
“Whistleblowers Sue Johnson & Johnson over Dismissals.”
New Jersey Star
Ledger
,
reprinted in
Knight-Ridder-Tribune
, May 16, 1997.

In 1999, when Hector: Pollack, Andrew. “Drug Factory of Johnson & Johnson
Under
Inquiry.”
The
New York Times
, July 19, 2002.

In the 2000s, when Chief: “Former Vice President Of J&J Subsidiaries Files Lawsuit Claiming Unlawful Firing After Insisting On Recall Of Ortho
Evra
, Other Products.”
 
December 26, 2006
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/59450.php

OUR CREDO:
 
Johnson, Robert W. “Our Credo.”
http://www.jnj.com/connect/about-jnj/jnj-credo/

 
“Even though your”:
 
FDA.
“FDA 483 Inspection Observations.”
January 8, 2010.

 
The FDA concluded: “There is a failure”:
 
FDA.
“FDA 483 Inspection Observations.”
April 4, 2010.

34
           
The Vergari Problem

Carl Vergari announced: Associated Press. “Poison in 2 Tylenol Bottles Linked to the Same Source.”
LA Times
, February 15, 1986.

Vergari said that based on the FBI tests: McFadden, Robert D. “Two Bottles of Poisoned Tylenol Were Shipped
By
Same Distributor.”
The New York Times
, February 16, 1986.

Reporters, eager to:
Knight-Ridder. Billion to 1 odds against tampering at separate plants?”
Syracuse Herald-Journal
, February 18, 1986.

 
“We’re not commenting”: McFadden, Robert D. “Two Bottles of Poisoned Tylenol Were Shipped by Same Distributor.”
The New York Times
, February 16, 1986.

Asked why, in view: McFadden, Robert D. “Two Bottles of Poisoned Tylenol Were Shipped by Same Distributor.”
The
New York Times
, February 16, 1986.

Yonkers’ Police Chief, Owen McClain: Associated Press. “Tylenol Probers to review deaths.”
The Titusville Herald
, February 19, 1986.

 
“No leads are being left uncovered”: United Press International. “Italy bans Tylenol.”
Pharos-Tribune
, February 16, 1986.

 
“
suggested
additional broad areas of inquiries”: Associated Press. “Death case gets second look.”
Daily News-Record
, February 19, 1986.

“We still haven't eliminated”: Associated Press. “Death case gets second look.”
Daily News-Record
, February 19, 1986.

One day after the tour: Norman, Michael. “FBI Finds No Tampering with Packaging of Tylenol.”
The New York Times
, February 19, 1986.

 
“
does
not mean that the tampering did not occur”: Norman, Michael. “FBI Finds No Tampering with Packaging of Tylenol.”
The
New York Times
, February 19, 1986.

 
“We do not have any proof it didn’t happen in the plant or the warehouse”: Norman, Michael. “FBI Finds No Tampering with Packaging of Tylenol.”
The
New York Times
, February 19, 1986.

On February 20, 1986, ten days after:
Molotsky
, Irvin. “Tylenol Maker hopeful on
olving
poisoning case.”
The
New York Times
, February 20, 1986.

Later in the day, Burke spoke:
Molotsky
, Irvin. “Tylenol Maker hopeful on solving poisoning case.”
The New York Times
, February 20, 1986.

In May 1981, J&J was waiting: Associated Press. “Suture tie to Nancy explained.”
The Daily Herald
, November 20, 1981.

Just six months after President Reagan had praised Burke: “Gordon College President’s Report.”
Gordon College, fall 2003.

In 1986 Burke was a long-time friend: Reagan, Ronald.
“Appointment of the Chairman, Executive Director, and Membership of the President's Commission on Executive Exchange.”
President’s Executive Order, September 14, 1981.

On February 10, 1986, the day Burke said he learned about the death: Reagan, Ronald.
“Appointment of 14 Members of the President's Commission on Executive Exchange, and Designation of the Chairman.”
President’s Executive Order, February 10, 1986.

Burke was still a member of the PCEE in 1989: Reagan, Ronald.
“Appointment of 2 Members of the President’s Commission on Executive Exchange.”
President’s Executive Order, January 1991.

In November 2002, Elaine Kaplan, the OSC Chief, said: Anderson, Martin Edward. “White House whistle-blower receives a belated apology.”
Insight on the News
, November 26, 2002.

 
“
does
not mean that the tampering”: Norman, Michael. “FBI Finds No Tampering with Packaging of Tylenol.”
The New York Times
, February 19, 1986.

FBI spokesperson, Lane Bonner, said: News Service Reports. “FBI: Tylenol Laced After Leaving Plant.”
The Post-Standard
, February 20, 1986.

FBI spokesperson, Milt Ahlerich, held a news conference: Norman, Michael. “Bottle Tampering Found.”
The New York Times
, February 27, 1986.

“Previously undetected signs”: Norman, Michael. “Bottle Tampering Found.”
The New York Times, February 27, 1986.

Ahlerich provided no explanation: Norman, Michael. “Bottle Tampering Found.”
The New York Times
, February 27, 1986.

Johnson &
Johnson,
elated by the FBI’s reversal: Norman, Michael. “Bottle Tampering Found.”
The New York Times
, February 27, 1986.

Larry Foster said, “The FBI”:
Cimons
, Marlene;
Ostrow
, Ronald J. “Tylenol Held Tainted
After
Leaving Plant.”
LA Times
, February 27, 1986.

“We have felt”: Associated Press.
“FBI Eases Tylenol Tension.”
Ottawa Herald
: February 27, 1982

 
“
so
we don’t know what scientific”: Associated Press. “Poison source not positive.”
Bedford Gazette
, February 28, 1986.

“We have eliminated nothing”: Associated Press. “Poison source not positive.”
Bedford Gazette
, February 28, 1986.

 
“As the FBI’s research and training facility in Washington D.C.”: Kelly, John; Wearne Phillip.
Tainting Evidence: Inside the Scandals at the FBI Crime Lab
.
Free Press
, 2002.

 
“At the core of what the critical experts”: Kelly, John; Wearne Phillip.
Tainting Evidence: Inside the Scandals at the FBI Crime Lab.
Free Press
, 2002.

In April 1997, the U.S. Justice Department: Johnston, David. “FBI Crime lab methods substandard, report says: Another blow.”
Daily News
, April 16, 1997.

“The prevailing culture”: CNN. “Official FBI lab criticism will prompt case challenges.” April 16, 1997.
http://articles.cnn.com/1997-04-16/us/9704_16_fbi.lab_1_frederic-whitehurst-lab-examiners-inspector-general-michael-bromwich?_s=PM:US

“It was possible to invade these bottles”: Norman, Michael. “Bottle Tampering Found.”
The New York Times
, February 27, 1986.

“We were puzzled all along”: Norman, Michael. “Bottle Tampering Found.”
The New York Times
, February 27, 1986.

On February 18, 1986, one day after the mock inspection: Associated Press. “Death case gets second look.”
Daily News-Record
, February 19, 1986.

Carl Vergari died on October 15, 2006: Golding, Bruce: “Former D.A. Vergari dies.”
The Journal News
, October 6, 2006.

35
           
Revisionist History

 
“You remember in 1986, there was another murder”: Foster, Lawrence, interview by PSU students.
“Interview with Larry Foster.”
2002. Accessed July 21, 2011.
http://instruct.tri-c.edu/jkerezy/Larry_Foster_Video_Interview.pdf