Full statement from former Gov. Phil Bryant:
"For eight years my administration promoted health care as an economic driver.
Recruiting pharmaceutical manufacturing was a recommended part of that effort, and our
economic developers pursued several of these projects. While it was in the very early stages, the
company seemed to be a good prospect and we treated it like any other economic development
project. Events, such as dinners, receptions and meetings were all common to the economic
development process. I did not recommend, instruct or authorize the use of public funds at any
agency for the pharmaceutical project.”