(Wines&Vines) - Two distributors, a distiller and importer paid hefty fees to avoid prosecution in what has been called the “pay-to-play” scandal in which Pennsylvania alcohol regulators accepted gifts in exchange for stocking state stores with certain products.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced July 27 that four suppliers of alcohol to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) will pay fines totaling $9.2 million for gifts to three top officials at the PLCB. Bruce Brandler, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, noted that the four suppliers will not be prosecuted after they pay their fines, in part because of the companies’ cooperation in the investigation.