Wife yields money for diluted drug victims

? The wife of Kansas City pharmacist Robert R. Courtney has agreed to turn over more than $2 million to a fund set up for his victims and other fines.

Courtney, 49, pleaded guilty in February to 20 felony counts of tampering with, adulterating and misbranding the cancer drugs Taxol and Gemzar.

In an agreement signed this week, his wife, Laura Courtney, agreed to transfer $2.35 million to her husband’s account to be used for restitution and fines.

“The parties believe that the settlement amount represents a fair approximation of the amount of proceeds derived from the illegal acts of Robert R. Courtney, which were later received by Laura Courtney,” the agreement states.

After the criminal complaint against Robert Courtney was filed, he attempted to transfer more than $5 million to his wife. Government action blocked about half of that, but more than $2 million was successfully transferred.

Laura Courtney has twin boys by her marriage to Courtney and a daughter from her previous marriage.

“Laura Courtney had no involvement in Robert Courtney’s dilution activities,” said Matt Geiger, her attorney. “She has divested herself of the money generated by Robert Courtney’s criminal acts. The government has approximated that her remaining assets are legitimate. Laura Courtney has retained only enough money to raise and educate her children and try to get on with her life.”