ATLANTA -- A former employee of the Coca-Cola Co. who charged the soft-drink giant with allegations of fraud and accounting improprieties is being awarded $540,000 in an out-of-court settlement. Matthew Whitley's accusations earlier this year sparked further probes into the company's practices, revealing a rigged marketing test three years ago involving a Frozen Coke novelty and restaurant giant Burger King, one of its largest customers. Coke has since offered to pay Burger King $21 million as part of an apology. Whitley was seeking $44.4 million from the manufacturer. Despite the settlements, the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission will continue their investigations into unspecified areas, according to sources quoted in published reports.
