FORMER DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING FOR PhRMA SENTENCED TO 41 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR EMBEZZLING $700,000

Washington, D.C. - Marcia Campbell, the former Director of Accounting for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America ("PhRMA"), has been sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution for embezzling more than $700,000, announced today U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor, Joseph Persichini, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Washington Field Office, Guy Cottrell, Postal Inspector in Charge for the Washington Division, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Campbell received her sentence today before the Honorable Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. On January 4, 2007, Campbell, 46, of the 1300 block of Clifton Street, NW, Washington, D. C., pleaded guilty to a one-count Information charging Wire Fraud at which time she admitted to re-routing numerous payments intended for legitimate PhRMA vendors to bank accounts that she controlled. She also admitted taking steps to conceal her crime, including physically altering bank statements to remove any reference to bank accounts under her control.

A representative from PhRMA told Judge Lamberth that in addition to the financial loss, Campbell's embezzlement scheme resulted in significant losses of an intangible nature. In a letter submitted to the Court, PhRMA similarly stated that

Ms. Campbell stole peoples' trust in human beings and colleagues. She created unnecessary fear and insecurity among PhRMA staff; she damaged PhRMA's relationships with numerous vendors; and she created embarrassment as we faced our members who pay our dues.

The government argued that a lengthy period of imprisonment was required based upon the seriousness of the offense and the need to promote respect for the law. According to the government, deterrence would be lacking if Ms. Campbell was only required to repay the stolen funds.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Taylor, FBI Assistant Director in Charge Persichini, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge Cottrell, and MPD Chief Lanier commended the investigatory work of FBI Special Agent Debra LaPrevotte, Postal Inspector Kevin Towers and MPD Detective Richard Espinosa. They also praised Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan B. Menzer, who prosecuted the case.

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