News Summary: French execs accused of swindle
News Summary: French executives accused of selling unsafe breast implants go on trial
J'ACCUSE: Five executives of Poly Implant Prothese went on trial Wednesday in a case that alleges the French medical device maker used cheap silicone to fill tens of thousands of breast implants that were prone to ruptures and leaking.
VICTIMS JOIN IN: The implants were not available in the United States, but more than 125,000 women worldwide received them until sales ended in March 2010. Of those, more than 5,000 are joining the trial.
THE OTHER SIDE: Jean-Claude Mas, who founded and ran the now-defunct company, has said he never intended harm, and his lawyers said the company's failure ruined him financially — a claim that drew angry murmurs from the crowd on Wednesday.
