Government
U.S. appeals tobacco ruling to Supreme Court
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 8, 2005
The Dept. of Justice last month asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review an appellate court ruling that said the government could not force tobacco companies to turn over an estimated $280 billion in profits.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled 2-1 that federal anti-racketeering laws don't allow the government to seek remedies aimed at past wrongs. But the government argues the appellate court ruling is inconsistent with prior Supreme Court decisions.
The government, which filed its case in 1999, alleges that cigarette companies engaged in a scheme to defraud the public over the past 50 years in violation of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/08/08/gvbf0808.htm.
