On April 2, 2015, the United States Department of Justice announced that Medtronic, a medical device manufacturer based in Ireland, reached a settlement agreement with the United States government for $4.41 million over allegations that Medtronic had violated the Trade Agreements Act of 1979.  The Trade Agreements Act requires that products sold to the U.S. government originate in the United States or in a country that has signed an international trade agreement with the United States.

According to the press release, the government alleged that Medtronic made false statements regarding the origin of medical devices sold to the United States that had originated in China and Malaysia, prohibited countries under the Trade Agreements Act.  The specific devices at issue were related to cardiac treatment and spinal surgery.

The Star Tribune quoted Medtronic spokeswoman Cindy Resman as stating that Medtronic “makes no admission that any of its activities were improper or unlawful.”