False Claims

Jackson, MS: (Jan-18-08) A federal lawsuit was brought against Vicksburg attorney Robert Arledge, who was convicted in an investigation of false diet drug settlement claims in Mississippi. The suit stated that Arledge, 50, had been charged with knowingly allowing clients to make claims of about $250,000 each even though they had no legitimate reason.

Fen-Phen was a prescription diet drug pulled from the market in 1997 after research revealed it could cause heart problems. In a recent development in the case, a federal judge ruled that Arledge must pay $5.8 million in restitution. Records show that in October 2007, Arledge was convicted of seven counts of conspiracy and wire fraud in a scam bilking the drug company, Wyeth, out of more than $6.7 million. He was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison. US Dist. Judge David Bramlette denied Arledge's request to remain free on bond pending an appeal because the judge said it was unlikely that the appeal will result in a reversal or new trial. [COMMERCIAL APPEAL: FEN PHEN CLAIMS]