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Friday, February 21, 1997

Morales accuses tobacco company of destroying documents

AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Attorney General Dan Morales says tobacco giant Philip Morris destroyed incriminating documents in the 1980s regarding the health effects of tobacco smoke.

Morales said the allegations are backed up by Dr. Ray Morgan, who was an analytical chemist for 20 years for Philip Morris, and who testified under oath during a deposition in the state's $4 billion case against the tobacco industry.

Morgan was deposed in Richmond, Va., by attorneys for Texas.

Jack Maroney, an attorney representing Philip Morris in the Texas case, said Morales' accusations were baseless.

"When this allegation makes it to the courthouse, the true facts will show that Mr. Morales is simply mistaken," Maroney said.

Maroney said documents similar to those in question already have been made available to the state.

"Once again, it has become crystal clear that the attorney general doesn't want to try this case in a court of law. Instead, he wants to engage in sound bite litigation," Maroney said.

Morgan testified that in the 1980s he was ordered to shred the only copy of test reports that showed alarmingly high concentrations of nitrosamine, a known carcinogen, in tobacco smoke, Morales said.

According to Morgan, Philip Morris researchers used only "non-production" cigarettes in tests for carcinogens, Morales said. The tested cigarettes had fewer chemical additives than cigarettes sold to consumers, Morales said.

"This is devastating evidence against the tobacco industry, especially in regard to their racketeering activities," Morales said. "Week after week, there are revelations of new unconscionable and illegal activities by the tobacco industry."

Texas is suing the tobacco industry for $4 billion in a federal lawsuit that seeks damages for state and federal Medicaid funds spent on tobacco-related illnesses.Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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