Later Stock Exchange officials paid a visit of inspection to the firm.

In the final two weeks before the election, Mr. Pataki's campaign paid more than $2.5 million to the firm of Russo, Marsh & Associates of Sacramento, Calif., which produced his television commercials.

Rhode Island will pay 17 percent of any award or settlement to the firm, which is financing the lawsuit and is in talks with other states about similar actions.

The contract was awarded to CCECC, a Chinese firm, by past president Olusegun Obasanjo, and $250 million was paid to the firm in March 2007.

The American Financial Services Association, the main trade group that provides credit to consumers, paid $600,000 to the firm of Barbour Griffith & Rogers.

Between April 2003 and December 2003, Sweeney's campaign paid $42,570 to the firm.

Banks typically pay one-tenth of 1 percent to one-fifth of 1 percent of the funds' assets a year to the firm that acts as a sponsor.

According to the suit, Mr. Wallach arranged for the firm to represent Wedtech and he received $157,000, or 10 percent of the legal fees paid by Wedtech to the firm.

It contained information about the victims, including names, telephone numbers and amounts paid to the firm.

These are paid to the exporting firm, usually a second tier cooperative, not to the farmer.