1.   City officials denied any retaliation but said they approved the settlement because they feared higher costs from a protracted legal battle.

2.   Although U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman approved the settlement earlier this month, smaller legal publishers, led by HyperLaw Inc., continue to oppose the acquisition.

3.   Although Vacco has the power to make this deal, the lawsuit cannot be withdrawn until the court overseeing the case approves the settlement.

4.   Analysts say tobacco stocks are poised to take off if lawmakers approve the settlement and preserve protection for the industry against lawsuits.

5.   At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday, Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont said Congress needs to see the documents before it is asked to approve the settlement.

6.   Because he was named as a defendant in the lawsuits, he abstained from voting last August when the city council approved the settlement.

7.   Blumenthal said he expected the settlement to be approved within six months.

8.   A constitutional conflict could arise if Dwyer strikes down the ban on class-action suits and Congress and Clinton eventually approve the settlement as written.

9.   A federal judge is expected to approve a settlement of securities fraud charges against the two former county officials soon.

10.   A federal judge must still approve the settlement, which was filed today.