Monster Beverage in $16.25 mln ’channel-stuffing’ settlement

Monster Beverage Corp reached a $16.25 million settlement with shareholders who said the energy drink maker defrauded them by overstating the financial benefits of a distribution arrangement with Anheuser-Busch. The accord was disclosed in a Wednesday filing with the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, and requires court approval. Monster denied wrongdoing in agreeing to the all-cash settlement. It had said in March that it believed insurance would cover any potential accord.