EX-ABTOX CEO GETS 10 YEARS, $17.2 MILLION FINE FOR SELLING PRODUCTS THAT CAUSED BLINDNESS

A former CEO whose firm sold faulty devices was sentenced Sept. 13 by a federal judge to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $17.2 million in restitution, according to reports.

Former AbTox chief Ross Caputo and fellow executive Robert Riley knowingly sold sterilization equipment that caused blindness in 18 people undergoing eye surgery, according to the U.S. attorneys on the case. The devices were sold to hospitals for about $100,00 each, they noted.

The two executives were convicted April 20 of wire and mail fraud, selling an adulterated or misbranded device and conspiracy to defraud the FDA.