The office of U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara said it had already won the cooperation of two witnesses who could implicate Valvani in insider trading -- a former FDA official named Gordon Johnston and former Visium colleague Christopher Plaford, to whom Valvani had allegedly passed inside information.
Bharara’s office said Plaford had been secretly cooperating with the government for the last two years and was a key witness against Valvani.
Late last week, Valvani told a friend that having his integrity attacked was difficult. Valvani said he felt isolated, alone, even toxic, according to the friend, who asked that his name not be used.
When they met for lunch, Valvani didn’t want to talk about the case against him, the friend said. There was a lot weighing on him. But he said he had a lot to live for, too.
Malhotra said she and Valvani texted each other last week.
“He sounded happy and strong, that he was going to win the case,” Malhotra said. She said she told him, “A lot of people believe in you.” And he replied, “‘That means so much to me.”’
“I said, ‘Stay strong,’ and he said, ‘I will.”’