Maine Lab Fined for Smuggling Scheme ; the Winslow Firm Must Pay $500,000 After Ex-Workers Tried to Bring an Avian Flu Virus Into the Country.

Summary

---

Maine Biological Laboratories, which acknowledged its responsibility for former employees who tried to smuggle an avian flu virus into the country, must pay a $500,000 fine, a federal judge ruled Friday. Officials of the Winslow biotechnology company said the penalty, which will be paid over 10 years, is significant but should allow the firm to continue doing business.

"The fine amount was fair. The judge allowing us to pay the fine over time will allow us to continue to operate and pay the fine," said David Zacek, chief executive officer at Maine Biological. "It will be difficult but not impossible."

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Maine Lab Fined for Smuggling Scheme ; the Winslow Firm Must Pay $500,000 After Ex-Workers Tried to Bring an Avian Flu Virus Into the Country.

The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock, he said, would allow Maine Biological's 60 or so employees to move past the criminal actions that included a complicated plot to smuggle a...

See the full content of this document

---