Fucking Absurd
But I'm not surprised...: "''Somewhere $120 billion has suddenly disappeared,'' said Philip Morris lawyer Ted Wells."
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal prosecutors, wrapping up a drawn-out lawsuit against the tobacco industry, are demanding only a fraction of the $130 billion that a government witness initially envisioned cigarette makers would have to spend on smoking cessation programs.
The Justice Department's position, announced as lawyers were summarizing arguments Tuesday in the racketeering trial, caught some by surprise. Federal prosecutors asked for a penalty of only about $10 billion, for a five-year program to help people kick the habit.
The $130 billion, for a 25-year smoking cessation program, was initially proposed in court by Michael C. Fiore, a medical professor at the University of Wisconsin and government witness. Justice Department lawyers on Tuesday called the $10 billion sum an ''initial requirement'' that could be extended.
Cigarette makers saw the department's change of heart as a positive sign.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal prosecutors, wrapping up a drawn-out lawsuit against the tobacco industry, are demanding only a fraction of the $130 billion that a government witness initially envisioned cigarette makers would have to spend on smoking cessation programs.
The Justice Department's position, announced as lawyers were summarizing arguments Tuesday in the racketeering trial, caught some by surprise. Federal prosecutors asked for a penalty of only about $10 billion, for a five-year program to help people kick the habit.
The $130 billion, for a 25-year smoking cessation program, was initially proposed in court by Michael C. Fiore, a medical professor at the University of Wisconsin and government witness. Justice Department lawyers on Tuesday called the $10 billion sum an ''initial requirement'' that could be extended.
Cigarette makers saw the department's change of heart as a positive sign.
posted by quickstuff at 8.6.05
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