A number of news outlets and readers are reporting that Sony/BMG has settled the so-called "Payola" case with New York attorney general Elliott Spitzer. According to Spitzer's office, the lawsuit was motivated by

outright bribes to radio programmers, including expensive vacation packages, electronics, and other valuable items; contest giveaways for stations' listening audiences; and payments for 'spin programs', airplay under the guise of advertising.

To settle the suit, Sony agreed to pay $10 million yesterday to the state to be used for "nonprofit music-education programs."

According to some unnamed sources, the pay-for-play was quite overt with one Sony executive saying that "Please be advised that in this week's Jennifer Lopez Top 40 Spin Increase of 236 we bought 63 spins at a cost of $3,600." Spitzer has handed over his evidence against Sony to a FCC commission, which could penalize any stations found to have been willing partners in payola.

The music conglomerate includes a wide variety of artists under it's umbrella. From mainstream rock acts like Audioslave and Foo Fighters to genre acts like The Blood Brothers and Anti-Flag. For a recent sampling of Sony artists, you can visit the Sony label page here on Punknews.org.