Peter Neronha, U.S. attorney for the district of Rhode Island,...

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) Credit: AP

Google says in a statement that the company shouldn't have allowed Canadian pharmacies to advertise prescription drugs to U.S. consumers.

The Internet search leader agreed to pay $500 million to settle a federal investigation the distribution of online ads from pharmacies that were illegally selling prescription and non-prescription drugs to American consumers.

U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha (nuh-ROH'-nuh) in Rhode Island disclosed the agreement on Wednesday. The settlement means Google will not face criminal prosecution for accusations it improperly profited from ads promoting "rogue" Canadian pharmacies that illegally imported drugs into the United States.

Rhode Island has aggressively pursued doping investigations in recent years. 

Woman arrested in connection with Nassau stabbing ... DOJ asked to investigate mascot ban ... OBJ back with Giants Credit: Newsday

Woman arrested in connection with Nassau stabbing ... How family found out girl, 7, was dead ... Car crashes into Suffolk home ... DOJ asked to investigate mascot ban

Woman arrested in connection with Nassau stabbing ... DOJ asked to investigate mascot ban ... OBJ back with Giants Credit: Newsday

Woman arrested in connection with Nassau stabbing ... How family found out girl, 7, was dead ... Car crashes into Suffolk home ... DOJ asked to investigate mascot ban

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME