The office of Andrew Cuomo, attorney general for the state of New York, has been the source of a number of major consumer and civil investigations in recent years, including:
• 2002 - 2003: An investigation of Wall Street investment firms resulted in a $1.4 billion settlement by 10 firms accused of conflict of interest in their stock research.
• 2003: Initiated a far-reaching investigation into fraudulent trading in the mutual fund industry that found favored customers getting trading privileges that ordinary shareholders did not. Fines and restitution payments reached hundreds of millions of dollars.
• 2004 - 2005: Alleged widespread bid-rigging and price-fixing in the insurance industry. Settlements included $850 million paid by industry giant Marsh & McLennan.
• 2005 - 2006: Investigated the nation's largest radio conglomerates in a "payola" scam in which recording companies were accused of buying air time for artists and songs. The probe resulted in a $30.1 million settlement with four major record labels and an additional $6.25 million with two broadcasters.
• 2007: An investigation into the student loan industry found numerous arrangements that benefited schools and lenders at the expense of students.
• 2007: Investigated lead levels in children's jewelry. Two major retailers, Big Lots and Michael's Stores, agreed to stop selling the jewelry. Several companies were fined.
Sources: Star Tribune archive, Associated Press
