Pinckney: Relieved

Hyderabad, July 28: Amway India today said its managing director and CEO William S Pinckney had been released on bail, two months after his arrest by Andhra Pradesh Police in connection with criminal cases registered against the company in the state.

A spokesperson for Amway said Pinckney had been granted bail in all the cases in Andhra Pradesh.

In a joint statement, Amway chairman Steve van Andel and president Doug DeVos said: “The release of Amway India CEO Bill Pinckney is a great relief.”

They, however, added they were “profoundly dismayed that this unnecessary detention occurred at all”.

Pinckney was arrested on May 26 from Amway India’s headquarters at Gurgaon and later produced before a court in Kurnool, which sent him to judicial custody.

He was subsequently arrested on the basis of other criminal cases registered against him on allegations of financial irregularities by Amway.

Andel said, “Amway will partner to find legislative solutions in India that clearly distinguish the legitimate direct selling businesses from frauds, protecting Indian citizens from unethical operators. We are committed to India and Amway business owners and nearly 500 employees.”