WP/AP:US Again Seeks $280B in Tobacco Profits(after sabotaging own case?)

[DeepModem Mom]

U.S. Again Seeks $280B in Tobacco Profits
By MARK SHERMAN
The Associated Press
Monday, July 18, 2005; 5:46 PM


WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department is trying again to force tobacco companies to turn over $280 billion in profits that prosecutors say were the result of a campaign to mislead the public about the dangers of smoking.

Government lawyers asked the Supreme Court on Monday to throw out an appeals court ruling that barred them from seeking the money. The move followed intense criticism of a separate matter in the long-running federal racketeering lawsuit against the cigarette companies -- the decision to ask the tobacco industry to pay for a much smaller stop-smoking program than a government expert had recommended....The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the government could not use the RICO federal racketeering law to seek the huge penalty....

***

Democrats and other administration critics claimed that top Justice Department officials pressured the lawyers handling the case to back off from the more expensive anti-smoking campaign.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has said that decision was made on the merits of the case, independent of political considerations. But Justice is investigating whether improper political influence was a factor....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/18/AR2005071800859.html

[aquart]

1. Looking for every dime they can find?

[DeepModem Mom]

2. If they're after the tobacco industry, biting the hand that feeds them --

then they would be desperate!

[bahrbearian]

3. They should Tell that to a Victum in an Iron Lung?

[DeepModem Mom]

4. You're right -- I'm afraid they have more concern...

for the tobacco industry than for the victims of smoking.