BOOZE BIGS $ETTLE TAB

AP

October 31, 2006 -- ALBANY, N.Y. - Fifteen national wine and liquor manufacturers and suppliers have paid $2.3 million to settle an investigation into the use of rebates and gifts to influence their products' marketing by retailers and restaurants, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said yesterday.

Spitzer said the incentives can result in higher prices and limited choices for consumers.

Under the agreement, some of the largest suppliers in New York agreed to ban the use of preferential discounts, rebates, cash and gifts - usually to the biggest retailers - to buy favor for their products, Spitzer said.