Criminal investigations chief resigns, things are changing at FDA

 Story from CNBC, written by AP

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Link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/40341826

EXCERPT

WASHINGTON - The head of the Food and Drug Administration's criminal investigation unit is stepping down, months after the latest round of criticism directed at his department by congressional investigators.

An agency spokeswoman confirmed Tuesday that Terry Vermillion told FDA staff this week that he would step down.

"We appreciate Terry's years of public service and wish him well in retirement," said FDA Associate Commissioner Beth Martino. Vermillion, who spent 20 years in the Secret Service before joining the FDA in 1992, is among the highest paid officials at the agency at roughly $200,000 per year. His department has been the subject of several investigations requested by federal lawmakers.

Earlier this year the Government Accountability Office said that the FDA must exercise more oversight over Vermillion's unit, which has operated largely independent of agency leadership, despite growing into a $41 million operation with 230 staffers over the last decade. In 2008, House and Senate Republicans questioned the priorities of the criminal investigations unit, specifically its focus on drug abuse cases instead of broader misconduct by large companies.