[JURIST] The Justice Department and tobacco industry representatives have begun settlement negotiations in the government's racketeering case [DOJ case backgrounder] against the industry, an anonymous source involved with the case said Tuesday. The two sides have met at least once with a court-appointed mediator, but both are under court orders not to discuss the negotiations. The talks were prompted by US District Judge Gladys Kessler [official profile], the trial judge in the five-year-long case. The government has a greater incentive to settle its claims after an appeals court ruling last month that it could not seek $280 billion in past industry profits. Reuters has more.

Previously on JURIST's Paper Chase…

• Federal appeals court says DOJ can't seek $280 billion from tobacco industry
• Tobacco industry settlement with states doesn't bar federal suit, judge rules
• Appeal of $280 billion tobacco case will be allowed
• Federal judge orders document turnover in tobacco case
• Federal judge refuses to limit fines sought in tobacco case