WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing intense scrutiny from senators over his potential profit from vaccine lawsuits while serving as the nation's health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that if he is confirmed he will not collect fees from litigation against the drugmakers of a cervical cancer vaccine.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee for Health secretary, told senators Friday he will divest his financial stake in a lawsuit against pharmaceutical giant Merck over its
Kennedy Jr. earned more than $2.4 million as a consultant referring cases to the law firm Wisner Baum, government records show. Wisner Baum is suing Merck & Co. over allegations that the pharmaceutical company failed to properly warn patients about HPV vaccine risks.
He wants to keep cashing in on lawsuits against drug makers, as his confirmation hearing for health secretary makes clear.
RFK Jr. played a lead role in building a case against Merck's HPV vaccine and could profit from the lawsuit alleging fraud, even if confirmed as health secretary.
Kennedy vowed to divest his financial interest in vaccine litigation to his son. Democrats and ethics experts said the arrangement raised further questions.