Merck noted that the settlement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing.

FORBES: Health Care News: Merck, Boston Scientific

However, the nation's No. 1 investment firm said the agreement "represents neither evidence nor admission of wrongdoing or liability"--a bit short of Spitzer's initial goal of an admission of wrongdoing, which investors' attorneys said would've helped restitution efforts.

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Such an admission could support Ms. Jones's theory of liability and would embarrass him.

CNN: There is Substantial and Credible Information that