Publicity Stunt Costs Turner Broadcasting

BOSTON — Turner Broadcasting Systems and an advertising agency agreed yesterday to pay $2 million in compensation for planting blinking electronic devices around the Boston area in a publicity stunt that set off a terrorism scare.

The agreement between Turner, Interference Inc., and several state and local agencies resolves any potential civil or criminal claims against the two companies, Attorney General Martha Coakley said.

Bomb squads were called in and bridges and highways were shut down Wednesday when authorities found more than three dozen electronic boards depicting a boxy cartoon character giving the finger. The devices, planted in a subway station, on bridges, and other spots, turned out to be part of a publicity campaign for Cartoon Network's "Aqua Teen Hunger Force."