ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604080054
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-8 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: Associated Press
Philip Morris USA has told some Richmond-area employees that U.S. Department of Justice investigators may contact them about a federal investigation of the company.
In a letter sent last week to current and past employees, Denise F. Keane, senior vice president and general counsel of Philip Morris USA, said the cigarette-maker was requested to provide names of current and former employees who worked in certain departments and facilities.
The investigation concerns ``a broad range of grand jury investigations into various activities'' of the company, the letter said.
The departments and facilities weren't identified in the letter. A copy was given to the Richmond Times-Dispatch by a Philip Morris employee.
But a source close to the company told the newspaper the letter was sent to more than 30 and possibly up to 200 employees at three Richmond area facilities: a plant where the company blends different types of tobacco for use in cigarettes; a plant where reconstituted tobacco is made as filler for cigarettes; and the Research Center.
The company's letter to local workers provides specific instructions about what to do in the event of an unannounced visit from a government agent.
``It is possible that government agents may try to contact you directly, rather than going through the company,'' she wrote. ``Indeed, it is not unlikely that government agents may try to visit you at your home or otherwise contact you after working hours.''
Keane advised workers that they can decide whether to be interviewed. While advising them to be ``truthful and accurate'' with federal agents, she also wrote ``that you are under no legal or other obligation to submit to an interview with the government agents before consulting with counsel.''
Keane did not return calls Friday.
Justice Department officials would not comment on the matter.
As yet, no local employees have been visited by federal agents and no new subpoenas have been issued, the source told the newspaper.
Two former Philip Morris employees with local ties have been subpoenaed to appear this month before a federal grand jury.
Ian L. Uydess, a former associate senior scientist, and Jerome K. Rivers, a former shift supervisor at the Blended Leaf plant, are expected to testify.
Kevin Ryan, a Charlottesville attorney representing Rivers, said his client had shown him the letter Tuesday. ``Jerome has legal assistance and doesn't expect to be getting in touch with Philip Morris,'' said Ryan, of Michie, Hamlett, Lowry, Rasmussen & Tweel.
In the letter, Keane provides names and phone numbers for employees to call should they desire legal counsel from Philip Morris.
The Justice Department reportedly has been investigating the tobacco industry for more than two years, after congressional testimony by tobacco executives in which they denied controlling or manipulating nicotine levels in cigarettes.
Four grand juries are conducting inquiries into the industry, including one in Washington and another in Alexandria.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 linesby CNB