Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) credibility woes continue as the company’s CEO, William Weldon, has refused to testify before Congress. He was summoned to appear at an upcoming hearing on May 27th to justify his company’s handling of five recalls over the last two years.
J&J’s excuse is that Mr. Weldon has had “back surgery.” Mr. Weldon’s “back surgery” was previously scheduled; however, he refused to postpone the surgery upon on learning of the Congressional summons last week. Despite the fact that other individuals in similar situations have prepared video testimony or even done satellite testimony, J&J appears to want to shield Mr. Weldon from accountability and responsibility. As I’ve said before, it’s a shrewd legal move from J&J, but is tanking whatever credibility the company has left.
J&J seems to be offering Colleen Goggins, Worldwide Chairman of the Consumer Group for J&J, as the scapegoat for this situation. She’ll get to handle the tough questions and then J&J will give her a package and usher her out the door.
You have to wonder how seriously J&J takes this situation that Mr. Weldon would not postpone his surgery after learning of his Congressional summons. A surgery that can be “previously scheduled” is not a medical emergency. Certainly, if Mr. Weldon cared about the children his company has exposed to contaminated products, he might have made a different decision.
