The owner and director of the specialty pharmacy tied to a deadly meningitis outbreak has declined to testify before a congressional committee investigating the matter.

Barry Cadden, co-founder of the New England Compound Center, told lawmakers he would use his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions in order to avoid self-incrimination.

After repeated questions by House lawmakers, Cadden told the House Energy and Commerce Committee: "Under advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer under basis of my constitutional rights and privileges, including the Fifth Amendment."

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Lawmakers continued to ask Cadden questions about the contamination that has sickened nearly 440 people and caused 32 deaths.