Easy money is still up for grabs. In 2009 New York City paid out $563 million to settle lawsuits, an amount that nearly surpassed a 2001 record. According to the New York Post the money went towards settling 7,000 cases, some of which dealt with such frivolous issues that even a jury would have chucked them out. Despite some laughable cases the city continues to follow a policy of settling out of court rather than risk a plaintiff being awarded a large amount.
It looks as if there is a way for Wall Street bankers to get government money and keep it!