Judge Questions Decision to Slash Penalties in Suit Against Cigarette Makers

A federal judge questioned Wednesday what was behind the government's decision to slash a stop-smoking program, one of the penalties recommended in a racketeering suit against cigarette makers. The government asked Judge Gladys Kessler on Tuesday to require the companies to fund a $10 billion program -- a fraction of the $130 billion suggested by a government witness. The DOJ said the reduced program could be expanded, but Kessler suggested other influences may be impacting the government's action.

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