GE Healthcare agrees to $30 million settlement

DETROIT (AP) -- GE Healthcare has agreed to pay $30 million in a settlement involving the Justice Department over claims in a case filed by a Michigan salesman. The Detroit Free Press reports the agreement was finalized last week. It followed claims that a diagnostic drug used in cardiology tests was marketed as one that could be diluted and stretched to more patients than intended. James Wagel had sued in 2006 in U.S. District Court in Detroit. He's expected to get $5.1 million of the settlement. He sold Cardiolite, a competitor to Myoview, the drug at the center of the case. GE Healthcare admitted no wrongdoing. In a statement, company spokeswoman Aleisia Gibson noted the claims detailed in the settlement date to 2003 and earlier. That's before Nycomed Amersham was acquired. Published: Mon, Jan 2, 2012