Boston: John Kapoor, the founder of Insys Therapeutics Inc, 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. Prosecutors asked US district court judge Allison D Burroughs to sentence Kapoor to 15 years in prison.
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. Burroughs said her lesser sentence took into account his role in the crime, his many good works as a philanthropist and his age.
Nevertheless, Kapoor is due to serve more prison time than other former Insys executives. Earlier, former Insys CEO Michael Babich, 43, was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
