He was indicted Thursday after a two-and-a-half-year investigation and pleaded not guilty to engaging in a conspiracy to deceive investors and employees about the company's financial troubles.

But Mr. Lupkin, concluding a two-and-a-half-year investigation, said there was "insufficient evidence to establish that the Comptroller in any way abused the power of his office."

The charges came after a two-and-a-half-year federal investigation.

They were among the 46 people indicted last week after a two-and-a-half-year investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The settlement caps a two-and-a-half-year investigation.

The trial in Federal District Court in Brooklyn stems from a two-and-a-half-year investigation into allegations that Pataki officials drummed up campaign contributions with promises of early parole.

The case against Mr. Yoo stems from a two-and-a-half-year federal investigation into accusations that Pataki officials used the promise of early parole to help fill the governor's campaign coffers.

Still, what is most remarkable about the two-and-a-half-year investigation of Mr. Wagner's death is that it happened at all.

Thanks to a tough Federal prosecutor and a two-and-a-half-year investigation, El Rukn may have foundered.

A two-and-a-half-year investigation by the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer and Monetary Affairs painted a far less flattering picture.