Medtronic pays $9.2M to settle South Dakota kickback case
Medtronic's operational headquarters in Fridley, Minnesota.[Photo courtesy of Medtronic]
Minnesota-based Medtronic has agreed to pay $9.2 million to resolve allegations that it paid kickbacks to a South Dakota neurosurgeon and failed to accurately report them.
The settlement announced Thursday by the Department of Justice resolves allegations that Medtronic paid for more than 100 social events at a restaurant owned by Dr. Wilson Asfora.
Medtronic allegedly paid for the events over a nine-year period to persuade Asfora to use Medtronic products.
Medtronic admits no liability in the settlement, but says that the issue involved a small number of sales employees, who were disciplined or fired.