SECURITIES

Prudential Agrees to Pay Record Penalty: The embattled securities giant will pay $550,000 for improperly soliciting political contributions from employees, the Federal Election Commission said. The commission cited Prudential’s “knowing and willful” violations of the law that prohibits corporate contributions to candidates for federal office and the soliciting of political donations from workers. According to an agreement signed by the company’s lawyer, Prudential’s top officers solicited about $185,000 in contributions from employees between April, 1986, and July, 1990, and raised at least $65,000 from other sources, including companies doing business with Prudential and other securities firms. The biggest chunk of money from employees--$75,000--was raised on behalf of Sen. Bill Bradley (D-N.J.). Another $21,000 was earmarked in 1987 for Republican presidential candidate Pete du Pont.