NORCROSS, Ga., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Immucor, Inc. , the global leader in providing automated instrument-reagent systems to the blood transfusion industry, reported today that the public prosecutor in Milan had announced the completion of his previously-reported investigation into payments by several companies to Italian physicians. The prosecutor has alleged that Dr. Gioacchino De Chirico, as the former President of the Company's Italian subsidiary, participated in a euro 13,500 payment to one physician and payments to another physician totaling approximately $47,000 to gain favorable procurement action at the physicians' hospitals. Under Italian law the subsidiary itself could be held responsible for the euro 13,500 payment because of actions taken by an officer. Both these payments have been previously reported by the Company.
The subsidiary and Dr. De Chirico, who have cooperated with the prosecutor throughout the investigation, now have the right to present further evidence and dispute the allegations before the prosecutor decides whether to present the case to a judge. Dr. De Chirico has informed the Company he intends to exercise those rights. If the prosecutor decides to present the case to a judge, the judge would then decide whether or not the case would be sent to trial. The Company believes no determination can yet be made as to whether it ultimately will become subject to any fines, penalties and/or other charges imposed by any authority, or any other damages or costs that may arise in connection with these circumstances.
Founded in 1982, Immucor manufactures and sells a complete line of reagents and systems used by hospitals, reference laboratories and donor centers to detect and identify certain properties of the cell and serum components of blood prior to transfusion. Immucor markets a complete family of automated instrumentation for all of its market segments. For more information on Immucor, please visit our website at www.immucor.com.
Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under federal securities laws, including, without limitation, all statements concerning Immucor's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "plans," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "will," "should" and other words of similar meaning. The Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future, as expressed in those forward-looking statements, may not come to pass for reasons not yet known or understood by the Company. Further risks are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Immucor assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
Immucor, Inc.CONTACT: Edward Gallup of Immucor, Inc., +1-770-441-2051
Web site: http://www.immucor.com//
