SCHERING-PLOUGH IN DEAL TO SETTLE PROBE

Schering-Plough Corp. said Tuesday it has agreed to pay $435 million and will plead guilty to conspiracy to settle a federal investigation into its drug sales and marketing practices and its clinical trial programs. Kenilworth, N.J.-based Schering-Plough said it will pay $255 million to resolve civil aspects of the previously disclosed investigation. A subsidiary, Schering Sales Corp., will pay a criminal fine of $180 million and plead guilty to one count of conspiracy under the agreement, which is subject to court approval.

Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060829/ap_on_bi_ge/schering_plough_settlement_2)