A judge rejected the argument and the company pleaded guilty.

The company pleaded guilty to the federal charges in January.

In 1996, the company pleaded guilty to price fixing and paid a $100 million fine.

Ten people and the two companies have pleaded guilty in the inquiry.

In November 1995, the company pleaded guilty to a felony and agreed to pay a $10 million fine for covering up these problems.

The company and the executives have pleaded not guilty.

The company pleaded no contest and agreed to pay more than $67,000 to identified claimants.

The company eventually pleaded guilty to the charges in 1979.

That company pleaded guilty in August and agreed to pay $20 million to settle the charges.

Mr. Quinn said the company and the three men would plead not guilty.