Crime | Google Google to Pay $500M Fine for Pharmacy Ads Ads promoted illegal drug sales, prosecutors argued By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Aug 24, 2011 12:44 PM CDT Copied Peter Neronha, U.S. attorney for the district of Rhode Island, announces a $500 million settlement with Internet giant Google over Canadian drug advertisements, Aug. 24, 2011, in Providence. (AP Photo/Joe Giblin) Google has agreed to pay $500 million to settle a US government investigation into its distribution of online ads from Canadian pharmacies illegally selling prescription and non-prescription drugs to American consumers, a US attorney announced today. The settlement means the Internet search engine giant will not face criminal prosecution. The $500 million represents the gross revenues Google collected in ad buys from the Canadian pharmacies, plus the earnings generated from the illegal sales of drugs to American consumers, federal investigators said. Federal officials say Google knew as early as 2003 that its ad system was allowing Canadian pharmacies to make illegal sales, including sales to people without valid prescriptions. Read These Next Delta pilot arrested moments after landing plane. A family hike took a tragic turn in Arkansas on Saturday. Multiple people shot at Reno casino. This French resort town has had enough of topless men. Report an error