GlaxoSmithKline has been sued by two former corporate investigators that allege that the pharma giant hired them under false pretenses, subsequently resulting in their imprisonment.
The complaint, filed with the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia, was brought by American Yu Yingzeng and her British husband, Peter Humphrey.
In 2013, the two were detained and were then found guilty by a Chinese court of illegally obtaining private records of Chinese citizens in 2014 after being asked by GSK to investigate a whistleblower within GSK.
According to a Reuters report, the couple allege GSK misled them, stating the whistleblower's allegations of widespread corruption were false. In 2014, GSK was fined 3 billion yuan ($436 million) for bribing doctors to use its drugs.
"We do not believe this case has any merit and will vigorously defend against the allegations," said a GSK spokesperson.