Google pours millions into lobbying as decision on antitrust case looms

Google has spent a record $13.1 million on lobbying so far in 2012 as it looks to dissuade federal regulators from suing the company over antitrust allegations.

According to disclosure forms, Google spent $4.2 million over the previous three months, in addition to the $8.9 million it had already spent this year. The company set its record for lobbying spending in the first quarter of 2012, when it spent $5 million. Google spent only $9.7 million in all of 2011, and much less in previous years.