Record companies finally getting prosecuted for payola
The New York Times reports that New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has served subpoenas in an investigation of payola, the illegal practice of bribing radio stations to play particular songs. “According to several people involved, investigators in Mr. Spitzer’s office have served subpoenas on the four major record corporations - the Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, the EMI Group and the Warner Music Group - seeking copies of contracts, billing records and other information detailing their ties to independent middlemen who pitch new songs to radio programmers in New York State.”
Everybody who feels sorry for the record companies, raise your hand.