Google decided to pay out $500 million to settle claims that it earned from ads for illegal Canadian pharmacies.  It is one of the largest economic forfeiture penalties yet.

Through permitting the companies to put ads through the AdWords program, according to the Justice Department, the company contributed to the illegal import of controlled and non-controlled prescription drugs.  Google, says the Justice Department, knew it was illegal since 2003.

Peter F. Neronha, US attorney says, “This investigation is about the patently unsafe, unlawful, importation of prescription drugs by Canadian online pharmacies, with Google’s knowledge . . . → Read More: Google Pays $500M for Settlement of Illegal Pharmacy Ads Claim