Lawmakers on Tobacco Case

A group of Democratic lawmakers Wednesday urged the U.S. Justice Department to drop any talks aimed at settling its racketeering case against cigarette makers, saying they would lead to weak sanctions against the industry.

In a letter to Atty. Gen. Alberto R. Gonzales, 50 senators and representatives expressed fears that Justice Department officials would reach an “insufficient” settlement with the major tobacco companies.

The lawmakers said their fears were based on rumors of a pending settlement and a decision by department officials this month to drastically scale back their request for a national, industry-funded quit-smoking program to remedy alleged misconduct by cigarette makers.

“We strongly urge you not to enter into a settlement at this time based on the unreasonably weak demands made by the government last week,” the lawmakers said in their letter.

A spokesman for the Justice Department said Gonzales would respond to the letter when he returns from an overseas trip.