U.S. to probe proposed tobacco case remedy cutback

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department has agreed to investigate whether politics influenced a recent decision to reduce the proposed sanctions in the government's racketeering case against cigarette makers, lawmakers said on Tuesday.

The agency's Office of Professional Responsibility plans to review the decision to scale back the proposed sanctions in the tobacco case from $130 billion to $10 billion, according to a letter the department's inspector general sent to Democratic lawmakers in Congress, made available by Rep. Henry Waxman of California.

Democrats including Waxman last week called for an investigation after government lawyers asked a federal judge to order the major tobacco companies to fund a five-year, $10 billion quit smoking program if she found they violated racketeering laws.

...the revised proposal provoked criticism from anti-smoking activists because it was far smaller than the 25-year, $130 billion, quit smoking program backed by a smoking cessation expert who testified for the government.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=8789135&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

[Sanity Claws]

1. They're investigating themselves?

Well, we know what they'll find. Nothing. How about an independent investigator?

[sam sarrha]

2. when $120 billion is involved.. a campaign contribution is a BRIBE !!!

get a rope !!!

[katsy]

4. ROFL!!!!!

We wouldn't be breaking any anti-lynching laws so let's party!

[mbperrin]

3. Surely nobody would cheat just to save themselves over a

HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS, would they? Nah, nothin' here.....

Hey, Michael got acquitted!