Sony BMG Music Entertainment will pay a $10-million settlement after an investigation by New York"s attorney general uncovered a scheme that paid radio station employees to play certain artists.
"Radio stations are airing music because they are paid to do so in a way that hasn"t been disclosed to the public," said the state"s attorney general, Eliot Spitzer, in a news conference Monday.
Sony BMG issued a statement acknowledging some of its employees engaged in conduct that was "wrong and improper." The company agreed to hire a compliance officer to monitor its promotion practices.
The $10 million will be distributed to non-profit groups supporting music education and appreciation programs in the state.