Purdue Judge Backs Bankruptcy Examiner After Explosive Hearing

Purdue Pharma LP’s bankruptcy judge on Wednesday approved a narrow probe of the OxyContin maker’s corporate governance despite calling part of the request that prompted it “a load of hooey.”

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Drain approved an investigation into whether the drugmaker’s owners, members of the billionaire Sackler family, have had undue influence on an independent committee of Purdue board members. That so-called special committee reviewed potential lawsuits against the family members and is seeking a settlement instead of litigation.