Oklahoma senator defends drug companies in state lawsuit

Oklahoma senator defends drug companies in state lawsuit
(Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com)
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – An Oklahoma senator is representing over a dozen pharmaceutical companies that the state is suing for alleged fraudulent marketing prices – prompting questions over a potential conflict of interest.
The Oklahoman reports that Oklahoma Senate Minority Leader John Sparks and two former Oklahoma City U.S. attorneys have filed a motion on behalf of the companies.
Attorney Mike Burrage is assisting the state in the lawsuit. He says he thinks the Norman Democrat would have to look out for the state’s interests before “personal interests.”
Sparks’ law partner, Ben Odom, says he doesn’t think Sparks has a conflict of interest and that it’s common for lawmakers to represent criminal defendants in cases the state files against them. He says this lawsuit is similar.
Sparks didn’t immediately respond Friday to a telephone message left by the Associated Press seeking comment.